With a start, Bella directed a hurried glance towards Mr. Boffin. But, he was sitting thoughtfully smiling at that broad brown hand of his, and either didn’t see it, or would take no notice of it.

“ ‘Prove it, John!’ we says,” repeated Mrs. Boffin. “ ‘Prove it and overcome your doubts with triumph, and be happy for the first time in your life, and for the rest of your life.’ This puts John in a state, to be sure. Then we says, ‘What will content you? If she was to stand up for you when you was slighted, if she was to show herself of a generous mind when you was oppressed, if she was to be truest to you when you was poorest and friendliest, and all this against her own seeming interest, how would that do?’ ‘Do?’ says John, ‘it would raise me to the skies.’ ‘Then,’ says my Noddy, ‘make your preparations for the ascent, John, it being my firm belief that up you go!’ ”