may be satisfied with the consequences you brought upon your head!'
However, she said nothing to that purpose; she even said something to a
different purpose.

'Mr Rokesmith, it seems so long since we spoke together naturally, that
I am embarrassed in approaching another subject. Mr Boffin. You know I
am very grateful to him; don't you? You know I feel a true respect for
him, and am bound to him by the strong ties of his own generosity; now
don't you?'

'Unquestionably. And also that you are his favourite companion.'

'That makes it,' said Bella, 'so very difficult to speak of him. But--.
Does he treat you well?'

'You see how he treats me,' the Secretary answered, with a patient and
yet proud air.

'Yes, and I see it with pain,' said Bella, very energetically.

The Secretary gave her such a radiant look, that if he had thanked her a
hundred times, he could not have said as much as the look said.

'I see it with pain,' repeated Bella, 'and it often makes me miserable.
Miserable, because I cannot bear to be supposed to approve of it, or
have any indirect share in it. Miserable, because I cannot bear to be
forced to admit to myself that Fortune is spoiling Mr Boffin.'

'Miss Wilfer,' said the Secretary, with a beaming face, 'if you could
know with what delight I make the discovery that Fortune isn't spoiling
YOU, you would know that it more than compensates me for any slight at
any other hands.'

'Oh, don't speak of ME,' said Bella, giving herself an impatient little
slap with her glove. 'You don't know me as well as--'

'As you know yourself?' suggested the Secretary, finding that she
stopped. 'DO you know yourself?'

'I know quite enough of myself,' said Bella, with a charming air of
being inclined to give herself up as a bad job, 'and I don't improve
upon acquaintance. But Mr Boffin.'

'That Mr Boffin's manner to me, or consideration for me, is not what it
used to be,' observed the Secretary, 'must be admitted. It is too plain
to be denied.'

'Are you disposed to deny it, Mr Rokesmith?' asked Bella, with a look of
wonder.

'Ought I not to be glad to do so, if I could: though it were only for my
own sake?'

'Truly,' returned Bella, 'it must try you very much, and--you must
please promise me that you won't take ill what I am going to add, Mr
Rokesmith?'

'I promise it with all my heart.'

'--And it must sometimes, I should think,' said Bella, hesitating, 'a
little lower you in your own estimation?