Cottrell is ample
recompense," replied Lionel, laughing, and making a mock salaam of
great humility.

"We thoroughly mean what we say; and in the meantime extend your
amiability so far as to give me a cigarette. Miss Blanche, I am sure,
will permit it?"

Miss Bloxam bent her head in assent as Lionel Beauchamp produced the
identical cigar-case that had so attracted Mr. Cottrell's attention
some two or three nights ago.

"A very pretty case this, is it not?" said Cottrell, as he leisurely
selected a cigarette. "In excellent taste; it does the greatest
possible credit to the designer. But it is a very curious whim of
Beauchamp's to spell Lionel with a 'J.' 'J.B.,' you see, would stand
for John Bradshaw, Joshua Burton, or even Jim Bloxam; but you can't
possibly make 'Lionel Beauchamp' out of it."

"That will do," replied Lionel, laughing; "you chaffed me enough about
this the other night. Take heed, and remember the motto."

"A motto, Miss Bloxam," said Cottrell, "the meaning of which he doth
not comprehend."

"Well, I flatter myself I do," replied Beauchamp; "but no matter;" and
he extended his hand for the case.

"One minute. For fear you should give some spurious version, I will
translate it first for Miss Bloxam's benefit; a lady cannot be supposed
to know the meaning of '_Loquaces si sapiat vitet_.' Listen,"
continued Cottrell: "the Latin is a comprehensive language,
remember,--'_Si_,' if; '_sapiat_,' you are not a fool; '_vitet_,' have
nothing to say to; '_loquaces_,' ladies' commissions. A wickedly
cynical saying to have broidered on one's case, even if you _have_
found ladies' commissions troublesome and productive of much
inconvenience. But, dear me! Lady Mary is signalling me. I must go
and see what it is she wants. Try if you can make him disclose the
story of that case, and who it was that commanded him to spell Lionel
with a 'J,' and not chatter about it afterwards. I plead guilty to a
most horrible curiosity on that point." And so saying, Mr. Cottrell
dropped the cigar-case into Blanche's lap, and crossed the deck in
obedience to Lady Mary's apocryphal signal.

Blanche knew now that her presentiment was fulfilled--that the crisis
had arrived; and that the next two or three minutes would decide
whether she and Lionel Beauchamp were to be all in all to each other,
or go their respective ways. Be that as it might, on one point she
must absolve herself in his eyes. With somewhat tremulou