Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/208

 "Art," said he, "I wanted to tell you something, and I thought it ought to be told now. I would'ntwouldn't [sic] like the night to close on any wrong impression between you and me. I hope you feel that my suspicion about fair-play and the rest of it is all gone."

"I do! old fellow! quite."

"Well, you are not to get thinking of me as in any way wronged in the matter, either by accident or design. I have been going over the whole matter to try and get the heart of the mystery; and I think it only fair to say that no wrong could be done to me. I never spoke a single word to Norah in my life. Nor did she to me. Indeed, I have seen her but seldom, though the first time was enough to finish me. Thank God! we have found out the true state of affairs before it was too late. It might have been worse, old lad! it might have been worse! I don't think there's any record—even in the novels—of a man's life being wrecked over a girl he did'nt know. We don't get hit to death at sight, old boy! It's only skin deep this time, and though skin deep hurts the most, it doesn't kill! I thought I would tell you what I had worked out, for I knew we were such old friends that it would worry you and mar your happiness to think I was wretched. I hope—and I honestly expect—that by to-morrow I shall be all right, and able to enjoy the sight of both your happiness—as, please God! I hope such is to be."

We wrung each other's hands; and I believe that from that moment we were closer friends than ever.