"If I have all that, I suppose it's natural and not a disguise,"
she remarked.
"My beard is natural too," he retorted.
"All the same, I wish you would cut it off," she answered. "I
should like to see what you look like."
She turned and walked away, and the more Dunn thought over this
conversation, the less he felt he understood it.
What had she meant by that strange start and look she had given him
when she had asked if she were to be the next? And when she
asserted so confidently that she knew what was in the packing-case,
was that true, or was she speaking under some mistaken impression,
or had she wished to deceive him?
The more he thought, the more disturbed he felt, and every hour that
passed he seemed to feel more and more strongly the influence of her
gracious beauty, the horror of his suspicions of her.
The next day Clive came again, and again Ella seemed very pleased
to see him, and again Dunn, hanging about in their vicinity,
watched gloomily their friendly intercourse.
That Clive was in love with Ella seemed fairly certain; at any rate,
he showed himself strongly attracted by her, and very eager for
her company.
How she felt was more doubtful, though she made no concealment of
the fact that she liked to see him, and found pleasure in having
him there. Dunn, moving about near at hand, was aware of an odd
impression that she knew he was watching them, and that she wished
him to do so for several times he saw her glance in his direction.
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