“Goodbye for the present, Miss Bella,” said Mrs. Boffin, calling out a hearty parting. “We shall meet again soon! And then I hope I shall have my little John Harmon to show you.”

Mr. Rokesmith, who was at the wheel adjusting the skirts of her dress, suddenly looked behind him, and around him, and then looked up at her, with a face so pale that Mrs. Boffin cried:

“Gracious!” And after a moment, “What’s the matter, sir?”

“How can you show her the dead?” returned Mr. Rokesmith.

“It’s only an adopted child. One I have told her of. One I’m going to give the name to!”