Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/135

 —but the tears rushed to my eyes, and I had to keep my head turned away from Dick lest he should notice me. He said nothing, and when I had surreptitiously wiped away what I thought were unmanly tears of emotion, I looked round at him. He, too, had his head turned away and, and if my eyes did not deceive me, he too had some unmanly signs of emotion.

"Dick!" said I. He turned on the instant. We looked in one another's faces, and the story was all told. We grasped hands warmly.

"We're both in the same boat, old boy," said he.

"Who is it, Dick?"

"Norah Joyce!" I gave a low whistle.

"But," he went on, "you are well ahead of me. I have never even exchanged a word with her yet. I have only seen her a couple of times; but the whole world is nothing to me beside her. There! I've nothing to tell. Veni, Vidi, Victus sum!—I came, I saw, I was conquered. She has beauty enough, and if I'm not an idiot, worth enough to conquer a nation!—Now, tell me all about yours."

"There's nothing to tell, Dick; as yet I have only exchanged a few words. I shall hope to know more soon." We walked along in silence, turning our steps back to the hotel.

"I must hurry and finish up my plans to-night so as to be ready for you to-morrow. You won't look on it as a labour to go to Knocknacar, old chap!" said he, slapping me on the back.