Now, the late occupants of the Clock House, at Nuncombe Putney, had been people with five or six hundred a year.

Had other matters been in accordance, the house would almost have entitled them to consider themselves as county people.

A gardener had always been kept there,--and a cow! "The Clock House for mamma!" "Well, yes.

Don't say a word about it as yet to Aunt Stanbury, as she'll think that I've sold myself altogether to the old gentleman." "But, Hugh, how can mamma live there ?" "The fact is, Dorothy, there is a secret.

I can't tell you quite yet.