All this was most extraordinary, and Bella could make nothing of it but that John was in the right. How in the right, and how suspected of being in the wrong, she could not divine. Some vague idea that he had never really assumed the name of Handford, and that there was a remarkable likeness between him and that mysterious person, was her nearest approach to any definite explanation. But John was triumphant; that much was made apparent; and she could wait for the rest.

When John came home to dinner next day, he said, sitting down on the sofa by Bella and baby-Bella: “My dear, I have a piece of news to tell you. I have left the China House.”

As he seemed to like having left it, Bella took it for granted that there was no misfortune in the case.

“In a word, my love,” said John, “the China House is broken up and abolished. There is no such thing any more.”

“Then, are you already in another House, John?”