Last of all appeared Mrs. Jacox, who blushed as she shook hands with Earwaker, and for a time was ill at ease; but her vocatives were not long restrained, and when all sat down to the tea-table she chattered away with astonishing vivacity.  After tea the company was joined by a lady of middle age, who, for about two years, had acted as governess to the girls.  Earwaker formed his conclusions as to the ‘trifling expense’ which her services represented; but it was probably a real interest in her pupils which had induced a person of so much refinement to bear so long with the proximity of Mrs. Jacox.

‘A natural question occurs to me,’ remarked Earwaker, as they were returning.  ‘Who and what was Mr. Jacox?’

’Ah!  Bella was talking to me about him the other day.  He must have been distinctly an interesting man.  Bella had a very clear recollection of him, and she showed me two or three photographs.  Engaged in some kind of commerce.  I didn’t seek particulars.  But a remarkable man, one can’t doubt.’

He resumed presently.

’Now don’t suppose that this marriage entirely satisfies me.  Bella has been fairly well taught, but not, you see, under my supervision.  I ought to have been able to watch and direct her month by month.  As it is, I shall have to begin by assailing her views on all manner of things.  Religion, for example.  Well, I have no religion, that’s plain.  I might call myself this or that for the sake of seeming respectable, but it all comes to the same thing.  I don’t mind Bella going to church if she wishes, but I must teach her that there’s no merit whatever in doing so.  It isn’t an ideal marriage, but perhaps as good as this imperfect world allows.  If I have children, I can then put my educational theories to the test.’

By way of novel experience, Earwaker, not long after this, converted his study into a drawing-room, and invited the Jacox family to taste his tea and cake.  With Malkin’s assistance, the risky enterprise was made a great success.  When Mrs. Jacox would allow her to be heard, Bella talked intelligently, and showed eager interest in the details of literary manufacture.

‘0 Mr. Earwaker!’ cried her mother, when it was time to go.  ’What a delightful afternoon you have given us!  We must think of you from now as one of our very best friends.  Mustn’t we, Lily?’

But troubles were yet in store.  Malkin was strongly opposed to a religious marriage; he wished the wedding to be at a registrar’s office, and had obtained Bella’s consent to this, but Mrs. Jacox would not hear of such a thing.  She wept and bewailed herself.  ’How can you think of being married like a costermonger?  O Mr. Malkin, you will break my heart, indeed you will!’ And she wrote an ejaculatory letter to Earwaker, imploring his intercession.  The journalist took his friend in hand.

’My good fellow, don’t make a fool of yourself.  Women are born for one thing only, the Church of England marriage service.  How can you seek to defeat the end of their existence?  Give in to the inevitable.  Grin and bear it.’