There was an engaging shyness in Bella, coupled with an engaging tenderness of love and confidence and pride, in thus first calling him by name, which made it quite excusable in John Rokesmith to do what he did. What he did was, once more to give her the appearance of vanishing as aforesaid.

“I think, my dears,” observed the cherub, “that if you could make it convenient to sit one on one side of me, and the other on the other, we should get on rather more consecutively, and make things rather plainer. John Rokesmith mentioned, a while ago, that he had no present occupation.”

“None,” said Rokesmith.

“No, Pa, none,” said Bella.

“From which I argue,” proceeded the cherub, “that he has left Mr. Boffin?”

“Yes, Pa. And so⁠—”