Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/115

 asked me were amazingly simple—manifestly she had something of the true peasant belief that London is the only home of luxury, power, and learning. She was so frank, however, and made her queries with such a gentle modesty, that something within my heart seemed to grow, and grow; and the conviction was borne upon me that I stood before my fate. Sir Geraint's ejaculation rose to my lips:—

One thing gave me much delight. The sadness seemed to have passed quite away—for the time at all events. Her eyes, which had at the first been glassy with recent tears, were now lit with keenest interest, and she seemed to have entirely forgotten the cause of her sorrow.

"Good!" thought I to myself complacently. "At least I have helped to brighten her life, though it be but for one hour."

Even whilst I was thinking she rose up suddenly—we had been sitting on a boulder—"Goodness! how the time passes!" she said; "I must run home at once."

"Let me see you home," I said eagerly. Her great eyes opened, and she said with a grave simplicity that took me "way down" to use American slang:—

"Why?"

"Just to see that you get home safely," I stammered. She laughed merrily:—

"No fear for me. I'm safer on this mountain than any-