Our mutual friend . and Mr. Boffin wasjogging up and down. On seeing Bella he stopped, beckoned her tohim, and drew her arm through his. Dont be alarmed, my dear,he said, gently; I am not angry with you. Why you actuallytremble ! Dont be alarmed, Bella my dear. Ill see you righted. See me righted ? thought Bella. And then repeated aloudin a tone of astonishment: see me righted, sir 1 Ay, ay! said Mr. Boffin. See you righted. Send here, you sir. Bella would have been lost in perplexity if there had been pauseenough; but the servant found Mr. Rokesmith near at hand, andhe almost imm
Our mutual friend . and Mr. Boffin wasjogging up and down. On seeing Bella he stopped, beckoned her tohim, and drew her arm through his. Dont be alarmed, my dear,he said, gently; I am not angry with you. Why you actuallytremble ! Dont be alarmed, Bella my dear. Ill see you righted. See me righted ? thought Bella. And then repeated aloudin a tone of astonishment: see me righted, sir 1 Ay, ay! said Mr. Boffin. See you righted. Send here, you sir. Bella would have been lost in perplexity if there had been pauseenough; but the servant found Mr. Rokesmith near at hand, andhe almost immediately presented himself. Shut the door, sir ! said Mr. Boffin. I have got somethingto say to you which I fancy youll not be pleased to hear. I am sorry to reply, Mr. Boffin, returned the Secretary, as,having closed the door, he turned and faced him, that I thinkthat very likely. What do you mean ? blustered Mr. Boffin. I mean that it has become no novelty to me to hear from yourlips what I would rather not 566 OUR MUTUAL FRIEND. Oh ! Perhaps we shall change that, said Mr. Boffin, with athreatening roll of his head. I hope so, returned the Secretary. He was quiet and respect-ful ; but stood, as Bella thought (and was glad to think), on hismanhood too. Now, sir, said Mr. Boffin, look at this young lady on myarm. Bella involuntarily raising her eyes, when this sudden referencewas made to herself, met those of Mr. Rokesmith. He was paleand seemed agitated. Then her eyes passed on to Mrs. Boffins,and she met the look again. In a flash it enlightened her, andshe began to understand what she had done. I say to you, sir, Mr. Boffin repeated, look at this younglady on my arm. I do so, returned the Secretary. As his glance rested again on Bella for a moment, she thoughtthere was reproach in it. But it is possible that the reproach waswithin herself. How dare you, sir, said Mr. Boffin, tamper, unknown tome, with this young lady ? How dare you come out of your sta-tion, and your
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