At Miss Bella’s time of life it was not to be expected that she should examine herself very closely on the congruity or stability of her position in Mr. Boffin’s house. And as she had never been sparing of complaints of her old home when she had no other to compare it with, so there was no novelty of ingratitude or disdain in her very much preferring her new one.

“An invaluable man is Rokesmith,” said Mr. Boffin, after some two or three months. “But I can’t quite make him out.”

Neither could Bella, so she found the subject rather interesting.