Bella at length said:
“Hadn’t we better talk about the commission we have undertaken, Mr. Rokesmith?”
“By all means,” said the Secretary.
“I suppose,” faltered Bella, “that we are both commissioned, or we shouldn’t both be here?”
“I suppose so,” was the Secretary’s answer.
“When I proposed to come with Mr. and Mrs. Milvey,” said Bella, “ Mrs. Boffin urged me to do so, in order that I might give her my small report—it’s not worth anything, Mr. Rokesmith, except for it’s being a woman’s—which indeed with you may be a fresh reason for it’s being worth nothing—of Lizzie Hexam.”
“ Mr. Boffin,” said the Secretary, “directed