“Oh! did you indeed, sir? Then why didn’t you ask me, the moment we came out? The confidences of lovely women are not to be slighted. However, I forgive you this once, and look here, Pa; that’s”⁠—Bella laid the little forefinger of her right glove on her lip, and then laid it on her father’s lip⁠—“that’s a kiss for you. And now I am going seriously to tell you⁠—let me see how many⁠—four secrets. Mind! Serious, grave, weighty secrets. Strictly between ourselves.”

“Number one, my dear?” said her father, settling her arm comfortably and confidentially.

“Number one,” said Bella, “will electrify you, Pa. Who do you think has”⁠—she was confused here in spite of her merry way of beginning “has made an offer to me?”

Pa looked in her face, and looked at the ground, and looked in her face again, and declared he could never guess.

“ Mr. Rokesmith.”