he was known as the Golden Dustman.

It was not long after Silas Wegg's appointment that Mr. Boffin was
accosted by a strange gentleman, who gave his name as John Rokesmith,
and proposed his services as private secretary. Mr. Rokesmith mentioned
that he lodged at one Mr. Wilfer's, in Holloway. Mr. Boffin stared.

"Father of Miss Bella Wilfer?"

"My landlord has a daughter named Bella."

"Well, to tell you the truth, I don't know what to say," said Mr.
Boffin; "but call at the Bower, though I don't know that I shall ever be
in want of a secretary."

So to the Bower came Mr. John Rokesmith, but not before the Boffins had
called at the Wilfers' and seen the young lady destined by old Harmon
for his son's bride.

"Noddy," said Mrs. Boffin, "I have been thinking early and late of that
girl, Bella Wilfer, who was so cruelly disappointed both of her husband
and his riches. Don't you think we might do something for her? Have her
to live with us? And, Noddy, I tell you what I want--I want society. We
have come into a great fortune, and we must act up to it. It's never
been acted up to, and consequently no good has come of it."

It was agreed that they should move into a good house in a good
neighbourhood, and that a visit should be paid to Mr. Wilfer at once.
Mrs. Wilfer received them with a tragic air.

"Mrs. Boffin and me, ma'am," said Mr. Boffin, "are plain people, and we
make this call to say we shall be glad to have the honour and pleasure
of your daughter's acquaintance, and that we shall be rejoiced if your
daughter will come to consider our house in the light of her home
equally with this."

"I am much obliged to you--I am sure," said Miss Bella, coldly shaking
her curls, "but I doubt if I have the inclination to go out at all."

"Bella," Mrs. Wilfer admonished her solemnly, "you must conquer this!"

"Yes, do what your ma says, and conquer it, my dear," urged Mrs. Boffin,
"because we shall be so glad to have you, and because you are much too
pretty to keep yourself shut up."

With that Mrs. Boffin gave her a kiss, which Bella frankly returned; and
it was settled that Bella should be sent for as soon as they were ready
to receive her.

"By the bye, ma'am," said Mr. Boffin, as he was leaving, "you have a
lodger?"

"A gentleman," Mrs. Wilfer answered, "undoubtedly occupies our first
floor."

"I may call him our mutual friend," said Mr. Boffin. "What sort of
fellow _is_ our mutual friend, now? Do you like