“It was Alfred who sent me to you, Mr. Boffin. Alfred said, ‘Don’t come back, Sophronia, until you have seen Mr. Boffin, and told him all. Whatever he may think of it, he ought certainly to know it.’ Would you mind coming into the carriage?”

Mr. Boffin answered, “Not at all,” and took his seat at Mrs. Lammle’s side.

“Drive slowly anywhere,” Mrs. Lammle called to her coachman, “and don’t let the carriage rattle.”

“It must be more dropping down, I think,” said Mr. Boffin to himself. “What next?”