“I hope so,” said Bella.

“You are cold; I felt you tremble. Pray let me put this wrapper of mine about you. May I fold it over this shoulder without injuring your dress? Now, it will be too heavy and too long. Let me carry this end over my arm, as you have no arm to give me.”

Yes she had though. How she got it out, in her muffled state, Heaven knows; but she got it out somehow⁠—there it was⁠—and slipped it through the Secretary’s.

“I have had a long and interesting talk with Lizzie, Mr. Rokesmith, and she gave me her full confidence.”

“She could not withhold it,” said the Secretary.

“I wonder how you come,” said Bella, stopping short as she glanced at him, “to say to me just what she said about it!”

“I infer that it must be because I feel just as she felt about it.”