The daughter of the house blushed with pleasure at the phrase; but thought that, with a governess so undeniably handsome, it might be better that no meeting took place as yet. Suddenly she said,

'You have some fellow's photo that you wear at your neck; you have it on now,' she added, making a clutch at a ribbon which encircled the slender throat of Alison, who instinctively drew back and placed a hand upon her bosom.

'Some fellow's photo!—how can you use such a style of language?' she asked, haughtily.

'I have told you before that you are not my governess, and I won't be lectured by you; but as for the photo——'

'It is not a photo I wear to-day.'

'What then?'

'An ornament which I wear because—because——'

'What?' asked Miss De Jobbyns, impatiently.

'It is the anniversary of papa's birth.'

'And you won't show it to me?'