第22章

Withhisownhandsheafterwardsputonthedessert，asremarkingtothethreeguests，\'Theperiodhasnowarrivedatwhichwecandispensewiththeassistanceofthosefellowswhoarenotinourconfidence，\'andwouldhaveretiredwithcompletedignitybutforadaringactionissuingfromthemisguidedbrainoftheyoungmanonliking。Hefinding，byill-fortune，apieceoforangeflowersomewhereinthelobbiesnowapproachedundetectedwiththesameinafinger-glass，andplaceditonBella\'srighthand。TheArchbishopinstantlyejectedandexcommunicatedhim；butthethingwasdone。

\'Itrust，madam，\'saidhisGrace，returningalone，\'thatyouwillhavethekindnesstooverlookit，inconsiderationofitsbeingtheactofaveryyoungmanwhoismerelyhereonliking，andwhowillneveranswer。\'

Withthat，hesolemnlybowedandretired，andtheyallburstintolaughter，longandmerry。\'Disguiseisofnouse，\'saidBella；\'theyallfindmeout；Ithinkitmustbe，PaandJohndear，becauseIlooksohappy！\'

HerhusbandfeelingitnecessaryatthispointtodemandoneofthosemysteriousdisappearancesonBella\'spart，shedutifullyobeyed；sayinginasoftenedvoicefromherplaceofconcealment:

\'Yourememberhowwetalkedabouttheshipsthatday，Pa?\'

\'Yes，mydear。\'

\'Isn\'titstrange，now，tothinkthattherewasnoJohninalltheships，Pa?\'

\'Notatall，mydear。\'

\'Oh，Pa！Notatall?\'

\'No，mydear。Howcanwetellwhatcomingpeopleareaboardtheshipsthatmaybesailingtousnowfromtheunknownseas！\'

Bellaremaininginvisibleandsilent，herfatherremainedathisdessertandwine，untilheremembereditwastimeforhimtogethometoHolloway。\'ThoughIpositivelycannottearmyselfaway，\'

hecherubicallyadded，\'——itwouldbeasin——withoutdrinkingtomany，manyhappyreturnsofthismosthappyday。\'

\'Here！tenthousandtimes！\'criedJohn。\'Ifillmyglassandmypreciouswife\'s。\'

\'Gentlemen，\'saidthecherub，inaudiblyaddressing，inhisAnglo-

Saxontendencytothrowhisfeelingsintotheformofaspeech，theboysdownbelow，whowerebiddingagainsteachothertoputtheirheadsinthemudforsixpence:\'Gentlemen——andBellaandJohn——

youwillreadilysupposethatitisnotmyintentiontotroubleyouwithmanyobservationsonthepresentoccasion。YouwillalsoatonceinferthenatureandeventhetermsofthetoastIamabouttoproposeonthepresentoccasion。Gentlemen——andBellaandJohn——

thepresentoccasionisanoccasionfraughtwithfeelingsthatI

cannottrustmyselftoexpress。Butgentlemen——andBellaandJohn——forthepartIhavehadinit，fortheconfidenceyouhaveplacedinme，andfortheaffectionategood-natureandkindnesswithwhichyouhavedeterminednottofindmeintheway，whenI

amwellawarethatIcannotbeotherwisethaninitmoreorless，I

domostheartilythankyou。Gentlemen——andBellaandJohn——mylovetoyou，andmaywemeet，asonthepresentoccasion，onmanyfutureoccasions；thatistosay，gentlemen——andBellaandJohn——onmanyhappyreturnsofthepresenthappyoccasion。\'

Havingthusconcludedhisaddress，theamiablecherubembracedhisdaughter，andtookhisflighttothesteamboatwhichwastoconveyhimtoLondon，andwasthenlyingatthefloatingpier，doingitsbesttobumpthesametobits。But，thehappycouplewerenotgoingtopartwithhiminthatway，andbeforehehadbeenonboardtwominutes，theretheywere，lookingdownathimfromthewharfabove。

\'Pa，dear！\'criedBella，beckoninghimwithherparasoltoapproachtheside，andbendinggracefullytowhisper。

\'Yes，mydarling。\'

\'DidIbeatyoumuchwiththathorridlittlebonnet，Pa?\'

\'Nothingtospeakof；mydear。\'

\'DidIpinchyourlegs，Pa?\'

\'Onlynicely，mypet。\'

\'Youaresureyouquiteforgiveme，Pa?Please，Pa，please，forgivemequite！\'Halflaughingathimandhalfcryingtohim，Bellabesoughthimintheprettiestmanner；inamannersoengagingandsoplayfulandsonatural，thathercherubicparentmadeacoaxingfaceasifshehadnevergrownup，andsaid，\'WhatasillylittleMouseitis！\'

\'Butyoudoforgivemethat，andeverythingelse；don\'tyou，Pa?\'

\'Yes，mydearest。\'

\'Andyoudon\'tfeelsolitaryorneglected，goingawaybyyourself；

doyou，Pa?\'

\'Lordblessyou！No，myLife！\'

\'Good-bye，dearestPa。Good-bye！\'

\'Good-bye，mydarling！Takeheraway，mydearJohn。Takeherhome！\'

So，sheleaningonherhusband\'sarm，theyturnedhomewardbyarosypathwhichthegracioussunstruckoutfortheminitssetting。

AndOtherearedaysinthislife，worthlifeandworthdeath。AndOwhatabrightoldsongitis，thatO\'tislove，\'tislove，\'tislovethatmakestheworldgoround！

Chapter5

CONCERNINGTHEMENDICANT\'SBRIDE

TheimpressivegloomwithwhichMrsWilferreceivedherhusbandonhisreturnfromthewedding，knockedsohardatthedoorofthecherubicconscience，andlikewisesoimpairedthefirmnessofthecherubiclegs，thattheculprit\'stotteringconditionofmindandbodymighthaverousedsuspicioninlessoccupiedpersonsthatthegrimlyheroiclady，MissLavinia，andthatesteemedfriendofthefamily，MrGeorgeSampson。But，theattentionofallthreebeingfullypossessedbythemainfactofthemarriage，theyhadhappilynonetobestowontheguiltyconspirator；towhichfortunatecircumstanceheowedtheescapeforwhichhewasinnowiseindebtedtohimself。

\'Youdonot，R。W。\'saidMrsWilferfromherstatelycorner，\'inquireforyourdaughterBella。\'

\'Tobesure，mydear，\'hereturned，withamostflagrantassumptionofunconsciousness，\'Ididomitit。How——orperhapsIshouldrathersaywhere——ISBella?\'

\'Nothere，\'MrsWilferproclaimed，withfoldedarms。

Thecherubfaintlymutteredsomethingtotheabortiveeffectof\'Oh，indeed，mydear！\'

\'Nothere，\'repeatedMrsWilfer，inasternsonorousvoice。\'Inaword，R。W。，youhavenodaughterBella。\'

\'NodaughterBella，mydear?\'

\'No。YourdaughterBella，\'saidMrsWilfer，withaloftyairofneverhavinghadtheleastcopartnershipinthatyounglady:ofwhomshenowmadereproachfulmentionasanarticleofluxurywhichherhusbandhadsetupentirelyonhisownaccount，andindirectoppositiontoheradvice:\'——yourdaughterBellahasbestowedherselfuponaMendicant。\'

\'Goodgracious，mydear！\'

\'ShowyourfatherhisdaughterBella\'sletter，Lavinia，\'saidMrsWilfer，inhermonotonousActofParliamenttone，andwavingherhand。\'IthinkyourfatherwilladmitittobedocumentaryproofofwhatItellhim。IbelieveyourfatherisacquaintedwithhisdaughterBella\'swriting。ButIdonotknow。Hemaytellyouheisnot。Nothingwillsurpriseme。\'

\'PostedatGreenwich，anddatedthismorning，\'saidtheIrrepressible，flouncingatherfatherinhandinghimtheevidence。

\'HopesMawon\'tbeangry，butishappilymarriedtoMrJohnRokesmith，anddidn\'tmentionitbeforehandtoavoidwords，andpleasetelldarlingyou，andlovetome，andIshouldliketoknowwhatyou\'dhavesaidifanyotherunmarriedmemberofthefamilyhaddoneit！\'

Hereadtheletter，andfaintlyexclaimed\'Dearme！\'

\'YoumaywellsayDearme！\'rejoinedMrsWilfer，inadeeptone。

Uponwhichencouragementhesaiditagain，thoughscarcelywiththesuccesshehadexpected；forthescornfulladythenremarked，withextremebitterness:\'Yousaidthatbefore。\'

\'It\'sverysurprising。ButIsuppose，mydear，\'hintedthecherub，ashefoldedtheletterafteradisconcertingsilence，\'thatwemustmakethebestofit?Wouldyouobjecttomypointingout，mydear，thatMrJohnRokesmithisnot(sofarasIamacquaintedwithhim)，strictlyspeaking，aMendicant。\'

\'Indeed?\'returnedMrsWilfer，withanawfulairofpoliteness。

\'Trulyso?IwasnotawarethatMrJohnRokesmithwasagentlemanoflandedproperty。ButIammuchrelievedtohearit。\'

\'IdoubtifyouHAVEheardit，mydear，\'thecherubsubmittedwithhesitation。

\'Thankyou，\'saidMrsWilfer。\'Imakefalsestatements，itappears?

Sobeit。Ifmydaughterfliesinmyface，surelymyhusbandmay。

Theonethingisnotmoreunnaturalthantheother。Thereseemsafitnessinthearrangement。Byallmeans！\'Assuming，withashiverofresignation，adeadlycheerfulness。

But，heretheIrrepressibleskirmishedintotheconflict，draggingthereluctantformofMrSampsonafterher。

\'Ma，\'interposedtheyounglady，\'ImustsayIthinkitwouldbemuchbetterifyouwouldkeeptothepoint，andnotholdforthaboutpeople\'sflyingintopeople\'sfaces，whichisnothingmorenorlessthanimpossiblenonsense。\'

\'How！\'exclaimedMrsWilfer，knittingherdarkbrows。

\'Justim-possiblenonsense，Ma，\'returnedLavvy，\'andGeorgeSampsonknowsitis，aswellasIdo。\'

MrsWilfersuddenlybecomingpetrified，fixedherindignanteyesuponthewretchedGeorge:who，dividedbetweenthesupportduefromhimtohislove，andthesupportduefromhimtohislove\'smamma，supportednobody，notevenhimself。

\'Thetruepointis，\'pursuedLavinia，\'thatBellahasbehavedinamostunsisterlywaytome，andmighthaveseverelycompromisedmewithGeorgeandwithGeorge\'sfamily，bymakingoffandgettingmarriedinthisverylowanddisreputablemanner——withsomepew-openerorother，Isuppose，forabridesmaid——whensheoughttohaveconfidedinme，andoughttohavesaid，“If，Lavvy，youconsideritduetoyourengagementwithGeorge，thatyoushouldcountenancetheoccasionbybeingpresent，thenLavvy，I

begyoutoBEpresent，keepingmysecretfromMaandPa。”AsofcourseIshouldhavedone。\'

\'Asofcourseyouwouldhavedone?Ingrate！\'exclaimedMrsWilfer。\'Viper！\'

\'Isay！Youknowma\'am。Uponmyhonouryoumustn\'t，\'MrSampsonremonstrated，shakinghisheadseriously，\'Withthehighestrespectforyou，ma\'am，uponmylifeyoumustn\'t。Noreally，youknow。Whenamanwiththefeelingsofagentlemanfindshimselfengagedtoayounglady，anditcomes(evenonthepartofamemberofthefamily)tovipers，youknow！——Iwouldmerelyputittoyourowngoodfeeling，youknow，\'saidMrSampson，inratherlameconclusion。

MrsWilfer\'sbalefulstareattheyounggentlemaninacknowledgmentofhisobliginginterferencewasofsuchanaturethatMissLaviniaburstintotears，andcaughthimroundtheneckforhisprotection。

\'Myownunnaturalmother，\'screamedtheyounglady，\'wantstoannihilateGeorge！Butyoushan\'tbeannihilated，George。I\'lldiefirst！\'

MrSampson，inthearmsofhismistress，stillstruggledtoshakehisheadatMrsWilfer，andtoremark:\'Witheverysentimentofrespectforyou，youknow，ma\'am——vipersreallydoesn\'tdoyoucredit。\'

\'Youshallnotbeannihilated，George！\'criedMissLavinia。\'Mashalldestroymefirst，andthenshe\'llbecontented。Oh，oh，oh！

HaveIluredGeorgefromhishappyhometoexposehimtothis！

George，dear，befree！Leaveme，everdearestGeorge，toMaandtomyfate。Givemylovetoyouraunt，Georgedear，andimplorehernottocursetheviperthathascrossedyourpathandblightedyourexistence。Oh，oh，oh！\'Theyoungladywho，hystericallyspeaking，wasonlyjustcomeofage，andhadnevergoneoffyet，herefellintoahighlycreditablecrisis，which，regardedasafirstperformance，wasverysuccessful；MrSampson，bendingoverthebodymeanwhile，inastateofdistraction，whichinducedhimtoaddressMrsWilferintheinconsistentexpressions:\'Demon——withthehighestrespectforyou——beholdyourwork！\'

Thecherubstoodhelplesslyrubbinghischinandlookingon，butonthewholewasinclinedtowelcomethisdiversionasoneinwhich，byreasonoftheabsorbentpropertiesofhysterics，thepreviousquestionwouldbecomeabsorbed。Andso，indeed，itproved，fortheIrrepressiblegraduallycomingtoherself；andaskingwithwildemotion，\'Georgedear，areyousafe?\'andfurther，\'Georgelove，whathashappened?WhereisMa?\'MrSampson，withwordsofcomfort，raisedherprostrateform，andhandedhertoMrsWilferasiftheyoungladyweresomethinginthenatureofrefreshments。MrsWilferwithdignitypartakingoftherefreshments，bykissingheronceonthebrow(asifacceptinganoyster)，MissLavvy，tottering，returnedtotheprotectionofMrSampson；towhomshesaid，\'Georgedear，IamafraidIhavebeenfoolish；butIamstillalittleweakandgiddy；don\'tletgomyhand，George！\'Andwhomsheafterwardsgreatlyagitatedatintervals，bygivingutterance，whenleastexpected，toasoundbetweenasobandabottleofsodawater，thatseemedtorendthebosomofherfrock。

Amongthemostremarkableeffectsofthiscrisismaybementioneditshaving，whenpeacewasrestored，aninexplicablemoralinfluence，ofanelevatingkind，onMissLavinia，MrsWilfer，andMrGeorgeSampson，fromwhichR。W。wasaltogetherexcluded，asanoutsiderandnon-sympathizer。MissLaviniaassumedamodestairofhavingdistinguishedherself；MrsWilfer，asereneairofforgivenessandresignation；MrSampson，anairofhavingbeenimprovedandchastened。Theinfluencepervadedthespiritinwhichtheyreturnedtothepreviousquestion。

\'Georgedear，\'saidLavvy，withamelancholysmile，\'afterwhathaspassed，IamsureMawilltellPathathemaytellBellaweshallallbegladtoseeherandherhusband。\'

MrSampsonsaidhewassureofittoo；murmuringhoweminentlyherespectedMrsWilfer，andevermust，andeverwould。Nevermoreeminently，headded，thanafterwhathadpassed。

\'Farbeitfromme，\'saidMrsWilfer，makingdeepproclamationfromhercorner，\'toruncountertothefeelingsofachildofmine，andofaYouth，\'MrSampsonhardlyseemedtolikethatword，\'whoistheobjectofhermaidenpreference。Imayfeel——nay，know——thatIhavebeendeludedanddeceived。Imayfeel——nay，know——thatIhavebeensetasideandpassedover。Imayfeel——nay，know——thatafterhavingsofarovercomemyrepugnancetowardsMrandMrsBoffinastoreceivethemunderthisroof，andtoconsenttoyourdaughterBella\'s，\'hereturningtoherhusband，\'residingundertheirs，itwerewellifyourdaughterBella，\'againturningtoherhusband，\'hadprofitedinaworldlypointofviewbyaconnectionsodistasteful，sodisreputable。Imayfeel——nay，know——thatinunitingherselftoMrRokesmithshehasunitedherselftoonewhois，inspiteofshallowsophistry，aMendicant。

AndImayfeelwellassuredthatyourdaughterBella，\'againturningtoherhusband，\'doesnotexaltherfamilybybecomingaMendicant\'sbride。ButIsuppresswhatIfeel，andsaynothingofit。\'

MrSampsonmurmuredthatthiswasthesortofthingyoumightexpectfromonewhohadeverinherownfamilybeenanexampleandneveranoutrage。Andevermoreso(MrSampsonadded，withsomedegreeofobscurity，)andnevermoreso，thaninandthroughwhathadpassed。Hemusttakethelibertyofadding，thatwhatwastrueofthemotherwastrueoftheyoungestdaughter，andthathecouldneverforgetthetouchingfeelingsthattheconductofbothhadawakenedwithinhim。Inconclusion，hedidhopethattherewasn\'tamanwithabeatingheartwhowascapableofsomethingthatremainedundescribed，inconsequenceofMissLavinia\'sstoppinghimashereeledinhisspeech。

\'Therefore，R。W。\'saidMrsWilfer，resumingherdiscourseandturningtoherlordagain，\'letyourdaughterBellacomewhenshewill，andshewillbereceived。So，\'afterashortpause，andanairofhavingtakenmedicineinit，\'sowillherhusband。\'

\'AndIbeg，Pa，\'saidLavinia，\'thatyouwillnottellBellawhatI

haveundergone。Itcandonogood，anditmightcausehertoreproachherself。\'

\'Mydearestgirl，\'urgedMrSampson，\'sheoughttoknowit。\'

\'No，George，\'saidLavinia，inatoneofresoluteself-denial。\'No，dearestGeorge，letitbeburiedinoblivion。\'

MrSampsonconsideredthat，\'toonoble。\'

\'Nothingistoonoble，dearestGeorge，\'returnedLavinia。\'AndPa，I

hopeyouwillbecarefulnottoreferbeforeBella，ifyoucanhelpit，tomyengagementtoGeorge。Itmightseemlikeremindingherofherhavingcastherselfaway。AndIhope，Pa，thatyouwillthinkitequallyrighttoavoidmentioningGeorge\'srisingprospects，whenBellaispresent。Itmightseemliketauntingherwithherownpoorfortunes。LetmeeverrememberthatIamheryoungersister，andeverspareherpainfulcontrasts，whichcouldnotbutwoundhersharply。\'

MrSampsonexpressedhisbeliefthatsuchwasthedemeanourofAngels。MissLavvyrepliedwithsolemnity，\'No，dearestGeorge，I

ambuttoowellawarethatIammerelyhuman。\'

MrsWilfer，forherpart，stillfurtherimprovedtheoccasionbysittingwithhereyesfastenedonherhusband，liketwogreatblacknotesofinterrogation，severelyinquiring，Areyoulookingintoyourbreast?Doyoudeserveyourblessings?Canyoulayyourhanduponyourheartandsaythatyouareworthyofsohystericaladaughter?Idonotaskyouifyouareworthyofsuchawife——putMeoutofthequestion——butareyousufficientlyconsciousof，andthankfulfor，thepervadingmoralgrandeurofthefamilyspectacleonwhichyouaregazing?TheseinquiriesprovedveryharassingtoR。W。who，besidesbeingalittledisturbedbywine，wasinperpetualterrorofcommittinghimselfbytheutteranceofstraywordsthatwouldbetrayhisguiltyforeknowledge。However，thescenebeingover，and——allthingsconsidered——wellover，hesoughtrefugeinadoze；whichgavehisladyimmenseoffence。

\'CanyouthinkofyourdaughterBella，andsleep?\'shedisdainfullyinquired。

Towhichhemildlyanswered，\'Yes，IthinkIcan，mydear。\'

\'Then，\'saidMrsWilfer，withsolemnindignation，\'Iwouldrecommendyou，ifyouhaveahumanfeeling，toretiretobed。\'

\'Thankyou，mydear，\'hereplied；\'IthinkitISthebestplaceforme。\'Andwiththeseunsympatheticwordsverygladlywithdrew。

Withinafewweeksafterwards，theMendicant\'sbride(arm-in-armwiththeMendicant)cametotea，infulfilmentofanengagementmadethroughherfather。AndthewayinwhichtheMendicant\'sbridedashedattheunassailablepositionsoconsideratelytobeheldbyMissLavy，andscatteredthewholeoftheworksinalldirectionsinamoment，wastriumphant。

\'DearestMa，\'criedBella，runningintotheroomwitharadiantface，\'howdoyoudo，dearestMa?\'Andthenembracedher，joyously。\'AndLavvydarling，howdoYOUdo，andhow\'sGeorgeSampson，andhowishegettingon，andwhenareyougoingtobemarried，andhowrichareyougoingtogrow?Youmusttellmeallaboutit，Lavvydear，immediately。John，love，kissMaandLavvy，andthenweshallallbeathomeandcomfortable。\'

MrsWilferstared，butwashelpless。MissLaviniastared，butwashelpless。Apparentlywithnocompunction，andassuredlywithnoceremony，Bellatossedherbonnetaway，andsatdowntomakethetea。

\'DearestMaandLavvy，youbothtakesugar，Iknow。AndPa(yougoodlittlePa)，youdon\'ttakemilk。Johndoes。Ididn\'tbeforeI

wasmarried；butIdonow，becauseJohndoes。Johndear，didyoukissMaandLavvy?Oh，youdid！Quitecorrect，Johndear；butI

didn\'tseeyoudoit，soIasked。Cutsomebreadandbutter，John；

that\'salove。Malikesitdoubled。Andnowyoumusttellme，dearestMaandLavvy，uponyourwordsandhonours！Didn\'tyouforamoment——justamoment——thinkIwasadreadfullittlewretchwhenIwrotetosayIhadrunaway?\'

BeforeMrsWilfercouldwavehergloves，theMendicant\'sbrideinhermerriestaffectionatemannerwentonagain。

\'Ithinkitmusthavemadeyourathercross，dearMaandLavvy，andIknowIdeservedthatyoushouldbeverycross。ButyouseeI

hadbeensuchaheedless，heartlesscreature，andhadledyousotoexpectthatIshouldmarryformoney，andsotomakesurethatI

wasincapableofmarryingforlove，thatIthoughtyoucouldn\'tbelieveme。Because，yousee，youdidn\'tknowhowmuchofGood，Good，Good，IhadlearntfromJohn。Well！SoIwasslyaboutit，andashamedofwhatyousupposedmetobe，andfearfulthatwecouldn\'tunderstandoneanotherandmightcometowords，whichweshouldallbesorryforafterwards，andsoIsaidtoJohnthatifhelikedtotakemewithoutanyfuss，hemight。Andashedidlike，Ilethim。AndweweremarriedatGreenwichchurchinthepresenceofnobody——exceptanunknownindividualwhodroppedin，\'herehereyessparkledmorebrightly，\'andhalfapensioner。

Andnow，isn\'titnice，dearestMaandLavvy，toknowthatnowordshavebeensaidwhichanyofuscanbesorryfor，andthatweareallthebestoffriendsatthepleasantestofteas！\'

Havinggotupandkissedthemagain，sheslippedbacktoherchair(afteraloopontheroadtosqueezeherhusbandroundtheneck)

andagainwenton。

\'Andnowyouwillnaturallywanttoknow，dearestMaandLavvy，howwelive，andwhatwehavegottoliveupon。Well！AndsoweliveonBlackheath，inthecharm——ingestofdolls\'houses，de——

lightfullyfurnished，andwehaveacleverlittleservantwhoisde——

cidedlypretty，andweareeconomicalandorderly，anddoeverythingbyclockwork，andwehaveahundredandfiftypoundsayear，andwehaveallwewant，andmore。Andlastly，ifyouwouldliketoknowinconfidence，asperhapsyoumay，whatismyopinionofmyhusband，myopinionis——thatIalmostlovehim！\'

\'Andifyouwouldliketoknowinconfidence，asperhapsyoumay，\'

saidherhusband，smiling，ashestoodbyherside，withoutherhavingdetectedhisapproach，\'myopinionofmywife，myopinionis。\'ButBellastartedup，andputherhanduponhislips。

\'Stop，Sir！No，John，dear！Seriously！Pleasenotyetawhile！I

wanttobesomethingsomuchworthierthanthedollinthedoll\'shouse。\'

\'Mydarling，areyounot?\'

\'Nothalf，notaquarter，somuchworthierasIhopeyoumaysomedayfindme！Trymethroughsomereverse，John——trymethroughsometrial——andtellthemafterTHAT，whatyouthinkofme。\'

\'Iwill，myLife，\'saidJohn。\'Ipromiseit。\'

\'That\'smydearJohn。Andyouwon\'tspeakawordnow；willyou?\'

\'AndIwon\'t，\'saidJohn，withaveryexpressivelookofadmirationaroundhim，\'speakawordnow！\'

Shelaidherlaughingcheekuponhisbreasttothankhim，andsaid，lookingattherestofthemsidewaysoutofherbrighteyes:\'I\'llgofurther，PaandMaandLavvy。Johndon\'tsuspectit——hehasnoideaofit——butIquitelovehim！\'

EvenMrsWilferrelaxedundertheinfluenceofhermarrieddaughter，andseemedinamajesticmannertoimplyremotelythatifR。W。hadbeenamoredeservingobject，shetoomighthavecondescendedtocomedownfromherpedestalforhisbeguilement。

MissLavinia，ontheotherhand，hadstrongdoubtsofthepolicyofthecourseoftreatment，andwhetheritmightnotspoilMrSampson，ifexperimentedoninthecaseofthatyounggentleman。

R。W。himselfwasforhispartconvincedthathewasfatherofoneofthemostcharmingofgirls，andthatRokesmithwasthemostfavouredofmen；whichopinion，ifpropoundedtohim，Rokesmithwouldprobablynothavecontested。

Thenewly-marriedpairleftearly，sothattheymightwalkatleisuretotheirstarting-placefromLondon，forGreenwich。Atfirsttheywereverycheerfulandtalkedmuch；butafterawhile，Bellafanciedthatherhusbandwasturningsomewhatthoughtful。

Sosheaskedhim:

\'Johndear，what\'sthematter?\'

\'Matter，mylove?\'

\'Won\'tyoutellme，\'saidBella，lookingupintohisface，\'whatyouarethinkingof?