found quite a fashionable mob already there assembled, for, as Mr.
Cottrell had told them, to see the Canadians play La Crosse was one of
the novelties of the season. That gentleman's idle words proved true
also in more senses than one, for they had not long taken chairs
overlooking the cricket-field, before Lionel Beauchamp joined them,
and, as he greeted Sylla, thanked her for her very pretty present.

"I am very glad you like it," replied Sylla, smiling; "but I can't take
much credit for my generosity. I am afraid, strictly speaking, it only
amounts to the payment of a debt. You deserved a testimony of your
prowess, and I to pay a penalty for my rashness."

"What is this testimony?" inquired Blanche. "What has Sylla given you?
and what have you done to deserve it?"

"A mere trifle," interposed Miss Chipchase; "I daresay he will show it
you some day. He got me out of my scrape that day at Rockcliffe, you
know, as indeed he has been called upon to do before, though not quite
in that fashion. He saved my bracelet, you remember; it's rather a pet
bangle, and I should have been very sorry to have lost it. Have you
done my other commission for me?"

"Not as yet," replied Lionel. "I haven't had time; but I will see
about it in a day or two."

All this fell very unpleasantly upon Blanche's cars. She was utterly
unconscious of her mother's schemes and hopes. She had not as yet
recognized that she was drifting into love with Lionel Beauchamp, but
she did know that his confidential intimacy with Sylla Chipchase was
very distasteful to her. What was this present she had made him? and
what was this commission she had given him? She did not like to ask
further questions just then, but she made up her mind that she would
know all about these things the first time she got Lionel to herself.
People who make mysteries of trifles at times exercise their friends a
good deal,--the imagination so often converts molehills into mountains;
and then there is always a power in the unknown.

"Have you seen this game of La Crosse before, Miss Bloxam?" inquired
Lionel. "It looks incomprehensible and never-ending, to start with;
but when you have seen a goal or two taken you will understand it, and
admire the dexterity of the players."

"Mrs. Wriothesley explained it to me at luncheon. As I told you at
Todborough, I am good at games, and can follow it very fairly. But,
Sylla, you have a message for Mr. Beauchamp, which you h