“It ain’t that, my dear,” replied Mr. Boffin, thinking it over. “He don’t consider himself above it.”

“Perhaps he considers himself beneath it,” suggested Bella. “If so, he ought to know best.”

“No, my dear; nor it ain’t that, neither. No,” repeated Mr. Boffin, with a shake of his head, after again thinking it over; “Rokesmith’s a modest man, but he don’t consider himself beneath it.”

“Then what does he consider, sir?” asked Bella.

“Dashed if I know!” said Mr. Boffin. “It seemed at first as if it was only Lightwood that he objected to meet. And now it seems to be everybody, except you.”