n one day, to meet him, in order that they might
make some purchases. She found him waiting for her at her journey's
end, and they walked away together through the streets. He was in gay
spirits, though still harping on that notion of their being rich; and
he said, now let them make believe that yonder fine carriage was theirs,
and that it was waiting to take them home to a fine house they had; what
would Bella, in that case, best like to find in the house? Well! Bella
didn't know: already having everything she wanted, she couldn't say.
But, by degrees she was led on to confess that she would like to have
for the inexhaustible baby such a nursery as never was seen. It was
to be 'a very rainbow for colours', as she was quite sure baby noticed
colours; and the staircase was to be adorned with the most exquisite
flowers, as she was absolutely certain baby noticed flowers; and there
was to be an aviary somewhere, of the loveliest little birds, as there
was not the smallest doubt in the world that baby noticed birds.
Was there nothing else? No, John dear. The predilections of the
inexhaustible baby being provided for, Bella could think of nothing
else.

They were chatting on in this way, and John had suggested, 'No jewels
for your own wear, for instance?' and Bella had replied laughing. O! if
he came to that, yes, there might be a beautiful ivory case of jewels
on her dressing-table; when these pictures were in a moment darkened and
blotted out.

They turned a corner, and met Mr Lightwood.

He stopped as if he were petrified by the sight of Bella's husband, who
in the same moment had changed colour.

'Mr Lightwood and I have met before,' he said.

'Met before, John?' Bella repeated in a tone of wonder. 'Mr Lightwood
told me he had never seen you.'

'I did not then know that I had,' said Lightwood, discomposed on her
account. I believed that I had only heard of--Mr Rokesmith.' With an
emphasis on the name.

'When Mr Lightwood saw me, my love,' observed her husband, not avoiding
his eye, but looking at him, 'my name was Julius Handford.'

Julius Handford! The name that Bella had so often seen in old
newspapers, when she was an inmate of Mr Boffin's house! Julius
Handford, who had been publicly entreated to appear, and for
intelligence of whom a reward had been publicly offered!

'I would have avoided mentioning it in your presence,' said Lightwood to
Bella, delicately; 'but since your husband mentions it himself, I