“George is getting on very well,” said Miss Lavinia which might not have been supposed at the moment⁠—“and I dare say we shall be married, one of these days. I didn’t care to mention it when you were with your Bof⁠—” here Miss Lavinia checked herself in a bounce, and added more placidly, “when you were with Mr. and Mrs. Boffin; but now I think it sisterly to name the circumstance.”

“Thank you, Lavvy dear. I congratulate you.”

“Thank you, Bella. The truth is, George and I did discuss whether I should tell you; but I said to George that you wouldn’t be much interested in so paltry an affair, and that it was far more likely you would rather detach yourself from us altogether, than have him added to the rest of us.”

“That was a mistake, dear Lavvy,” said Bella.