Book The First: Poverty Chapter 17 Nobody's Rival

Clennam followed the man and the dog into the boat, and took his seat.
The dog did as he was ordered. The man remained standing, with his hands
in his pockets, and towered between Clennam and the prospect. Man and
dog both jumped lightly out as soon as they touched the other side, and
went away. Clennam was glad to be rid of them.

The church clock struck the breakfast hour as he walked up the little
lane by which the garden-gate was approached. The moment he pulled the
bell a deep loud barking assailed him from within the wall. 'I heard no dog last night,' thought Clennam. The gate was opened by
one of the rosy maids, and on the lawn were the Newfoundland dog and the
man. 'Miss Minnie is not down yet, gentlemen,' said the blushing portress, as
they all came together in the garden. Then she said to the master of the
dog, 'Mr Clennam, sir,' and tripped away.

'Odd enough, Mr Clennam, that we should have met just now,' said
the man. Upon which the dog became mute. 'Allow me to introduce
myself--Henry Gowan. A pretty place this, and looks wonderfully well
this morning!' The manner was easy, and the voice agreeable; but still Clennam thought,
that if he had not made that decided resolution to avoid falling in love
with Pet, he would have taken a dislike to this Henry Gowan. 'It's new to you, I believe?' said this Gowan, when Arthur had extolled
the place. 'Quite new. I made acquaintance with it only yesterday
afternoon.' 'Ah! Of course this is not its best aspect. It used to look charming in
the spring, before they went away last time. I should like you to have
seen it then.' But for that resolution so often recalled, Clennam might have wished him
in the crater of Mount Etna, in return for this civility.