“I’ll tell you, Pa. I don’t mind telling you , because we have always been favourites of each other’s, and because you are not like a Pa, but more like a sort of a younger brother with a dear venerable chubbiness on him. And besides,” added Bella, laughing as she pointed a rallying finger at his face, “because I have got you in my power. This is a secret expedition. If ever you tell of me, I’ll tell of you. I’ll tell Ma that you dined at Greenwich.”

“Well; seriously, my dear,” observed R. W. , with some trepidation of manner, “it might be as well not to mention it.”

“Aha!” laughed Bella. “I knew you wouldn’t like it, sir! So you keep my confidence, and I’ll keep yours. But betray the lovely woman, and you shall find her a serpent. Now, you may give me a kiss, Pa, and I should like to give your hair a turn, because it has been dreadfully neglected in my absence.”