true, sir--every word of it. She wants you back again, and sends her
husband after you. She cajoles everybody, the little devil. She tries it
on you, on me, on poor Costigan, on the young chaps from Bartholomew's.
She's got a little court of 'em already. And if there's nobody there,
she practises on the old German baker in the shop, or coaxes the black
sweeper at the crossing."

"Is she fond of that fellow?" asked Pen.

"There is no accounting for likes and dislikes," Bows answered.

"Yes, she is fond of him; and having taken the thing into her head, she
would not rest until she married him. They had their banns published at
St. Clement's, and nobody heard it or knew any just cause or impediment.
And one day she slips out of the porter's lodge and has the business
done, and goes off to Gravesend with Lothario; and leaves a note for me
to go and explain all things to her Ma. Bless you! the old woman knew it
as well as I did, though she pretended ignorance. And so she goes, and
I'm alone again. I miss her, sir, tripping along that court, and coming
for her singing lesson; and I've no heart to look into the porter's
lodge now, which looks very empty without her, the little flirting
thing. And I go and sit and dangle about her lodgings, like an old fool.
She makes 'em very trim and nice, though; gets up all Huxter's shirts
and clothes: cooks his little dinner, and sings at her business like a
little lark. What's the use of being angry? I lent 'em three pound to go
on with: for they haven't got a shilling till the reconciliation, and Pa
comes down."

When Bows had taken his leave, Pen carried his letter from Blanche, and
the news which he had just received, to his usual adviser, Laura. It was
wonderful upon how many points Mr. Arthur, who generally followed his
own opinion, now wanted another person's counsel. He could hardly so
much as choose a waistcoat without referring to Miss Bell: if he wanted
to buy a horse he must have Miss Bell's opinion; all which marks of
deference tended greatly to the amusement of the shrewd old lady with
whom Miss Bell lived, and whose plans regarding her protegee we have
indicated.

Arthur produced Blanche's letter then to Laura, and asked her to
interpret it. Laura was very much agitated and puzzled by the contents
of the note.

"It seems to me," she said, "as if Blanche is acting very artfully."

"And wishes so to place matters that she may take me or leave me? Is it
not so?"

"It