want a shave? Where on earth did Mr. Dawson pick him up?"

"Oh, he came here with the very best testimonials, and father
engaged him on the spot," answered Ella, touching her wrists
thoughtfully. "He certainly is not very handsome, but then that
doesn't matter, does it?"

She spoke more loudly than usual, and Dunn was certain she did so
in order that he might hear what she said. So he had no scruple
in lingering on pretence of being busy with a rose bush, and heard
Clive say:

"Well, if he were one of my chaps, I should tell him to put the
lawn-mower over his own face."

Ella laughed amusedly.

"Oh, what an idea, Mr. Clive," she cried, and Dunn thought to himself:

"Yes, one day I shall very certainly claim that fifty pounds."



CHAPTER XII

AN AVOWAL


When Clive had gone that afternoon, Ella, who had accompanied him
as far as the gate, and had from thence waved him a farewell, came