'How has Time slipped by us,' Mr Inspector went on slowly, with his eyes narrowly observant of the two guests, 'since we three very men, at an Inquest in this very house--Mr Kibble? Taken ill, sir?'
Mr Kibble had staggered up, with his lower jaw dropped, catching Potterson by the shoulder, and pointing to the half-door. He now cried out: 'Potterson! Look! Look there!' Potterson started up, started back, and exclaimed: 'Heaven defend us, what's that!'
Bella's husband stepped back to Bella, took her in his arms (for she was terrified by the unintelligible terror of the two men), and shut the door of the little room. A hurry of voices succeeded, in which Mr Inspector's voice was busiest; it gradually slackened and sank;and Mr Inspector reappeared. 'Sharp's the word, sir!' he said, looking in with a knowing wink. 'We'll get your lady out at once.'
Immediately, Bella and her husband were under the stars, making their way back, alone, to the vehicle they had kept in waiting.
All this was most extraordinary, and Bella could make nothing of it but that John was in the right. How in the right, and how suspected of being in the wrong, she could not divine. Some vague idea that he had never really assumed the name of Handford, and that there was a remarkable likeness between him and that mysterious person, was her nearest approach to any definite explanation. But John was triumphant; that much was made apparent; and she could wait for the rest.
When John came home to dinner next day, he said, sitting down on the sofa by Bella and baby-Bella: 'My dear, I have a piece of news to tell you. I have left the China House.'
As he seemed to like having left it, Bella took it for granted that there was no misfortune in the case.
'In a word, my love,' said John, 'the China House is broken up and abolished. There is no such thing any more.'
'Then, are you already in another House, John?'
'Yes, my darling. I am in another way of business. And I am rather better off.'
The inexhaustible baby was instantly made to congratulate him, and to say, with appropriate action on the part of a very limp arm and a speckled fist: 'Three cheers, ladies and gemplemorums.
Hoo--ray!'
'I am afraid, my life,' said John, 'that you have become very much attached to this cottage?'
'Afraid I have, John? Of course I have.'
'The reason why I said afraid,' returned John, 'is, because we must move.'
'O John!'
'Yes, my dear, we must move. We must have our head-quarters in London now. In short, there's a dwelling-house rent-free, attached to my new position, and we must occupy it.'
'That's a gain, John.'
'Yes, my dear, it is undoubtedly a gain.'
He gave her a very blithe look, and a very sly look. Which occasioned the inexhaustible baby to square at him with the speckled fists, and demand in a threatening manner what he meant?
'My love, you said it was a gain, and I said it was a gain. A very innocent remark, surely.'
'I won't,' said the inexhaustible baby, '--allow--you--to--make--game--of--my--venerable--Ma.' At each division administering a soft facer with one of the speckled fists.
John having stooped down to receive these punishing visitations, Bella asked him, would it be necessary to move soon? Why yes, indeed (said John), he did propose that they should move very soon. Taking the furniture with them, of course? (said Bella).
Why, no (said John), the fact was, that the house was--in a sort of a kind of a way--furnished already.
The inexhaustible baby, hearing this, resumed the offensive, and said: 'But there's no nursery for me, sir. What do you mean, marble-hearted parent?' To which the marble-hearted parent rejoined that there was a--sort of a kind of a--nursery, and it might be 'made to do'. 'Made to do?' returned the Inexhaustible, administering more punishment, 'what do you take me for?' And was then turned over on its back in Bella's lap, and smothered with kisses.
'But really, John dear,' said Bella, flushed in quite a lovely manner by these exercises, 'will the new house, just as it stands, do for baby? That's the question.'
'I felt that to be the question,' he returned, 'and therefore I arranged that you should come with me and look at it, to-morrow morning.'
Appointment made, accordingly, for Bella to go up with him to-morrow morning; John kissed; and Bella delighted.
When they reached London in pursuance of their little plan, they took coach and drove westward. Not only drove westward, but drove into that particular westward division, which Bella had seen last when she turned her face from Mr Boffin's door. Not only drove into that particular division, but drove at last into that very street. Not only drove into that very street, but stopped at last at that very house.
'John dear!' cried Bella, looking out of window in a flutter. 'Do you see where we are?'
'Yes, my love. The coachman's quite right.'
The house-door was opened without any knocking or ringing, and John promptly helped her out. The servant who stood holding the door, asked no question of John, neither did he go before them or follow them as they went straight up-stairs. It was only her husband's encircling arm, urging her on, that prevented Bella from stopping at the foot of the staircase. As they ascended, it was seen to be tastefully ornamented with most beautiful flowers.
'O John!' said Bella, faintly. 'What does this mean?'
'Nothing, my darling, nothing. Let us go on.'
Going on a little higher, they came to a charming aviary, in which a number of tropical birds, more gorgeous in colour than the flowers, were flying about; and among those birds were gold and silver fish, and mosses, and water-lilies, and a fountain, and all manner of wonders.
'O my dear John!' said Bella. 'What does this mean?'
'Nothing, my darling, nothing. Let us go on.'
They went on, until they came to a door. As John put out his hand to open it, Bella caught his hand.
'I don't know what it means, but it's too much for me. Hold me, John, love.'
John caught her up in his arm, and lightly dashed into the room with her.
