It was almost ten o’clock when they stopped within view of Wilfer Castle; and then, the spot being quiet and deserted, Bella began a series of disappearances which threatened to last all night.
“I think, John,” the cherub hinted at last, “that if you can spare me the young person distantly related to myself, I’ll take her in.”
“I can’t spare her,” answered John, “but I must lend her to you.—My darling!” A word of magic which caused Bella instantly to disappear again.
“Now, dearest Pa,” said Bella, when she became visible, “put your hand in mine, and we’ll run home as fast as ever we can run, and get it over. Now, Pa. Once!—”
“My dear,” the cherub faltered, with something of a craven air, “I was going to observe that if your mother—”
“You mustn’t hang back, sir, to gain time,” cried Bella, putting out her right foot; “do you see that, sir? That’s the mark; come up to the mark, sir. Once! Twice! Three times and away, Pa!” Off she skimmed, bearing the cherub along, nor ever stopped, nor suffered him to stop, until she had pulled at the bell. “Now, dear Pa,” said Bella, taking him by both ears as if he were a pitcher, and conveying his face to her rosy lips, “we are in for it!”
Miss Lavvy came out to open the gate, waited on by that attentive cavalier and friend of the family, Mr. George Sampson. “Why, it’s never Bella!” exclaimed Miss Lavvy starting back at the sight. And then bawled, “Ma! Here’s Bella!”