Mrs. Wilfer bent her head in a distant manner to her lady visitor, and with majestic monotony replied to the gentleman:

“Pardon me. I have several daughters. Which of my daughters am I to understand is thus favoured by the kind intentions of Mr. Boffin and his lady?”

“Don’t you see?” the ever-smiling Mrs. Boffin put in. “Naturally, Miss Bella, you know.”