Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/215

 with her; but, indeed, I only wanted to see her once to love her!"

"Ye have seen her—and she never tould me! Come wid me!" He beckoned me to come with him, and strode at a rapid pace to his cottage, opened the door, and motioned me to go in. I entered the room—which was both kitchen and living room—to which he pointed. He followed.

As I entered, Norah, who was sewing, saw me and stood up. A rosy blush ran over her face; then she grew as white as snow as she saw the stern face of her father close behind me. I stepped forward, and took her hand; when I let it go, her arm fell by her side.

"Daughter!"—Joyce spoke very sternly, but not unkindly. "Do you know this gentleman?"

"Yes, father!"

"He tells me that you and he have met several times. Is it thrue?"

"Yes, father; but—"

"Ye never tould me! How was that?"

"It was by accident we met."

"Always be accident?" Here I spoke:—

"Always by accident—on her part." He interrupted me:—

"Yer pardon, young gentleman! I wish me daughter to answer me! Shpeak, Norah!"

"Always, father!—except once, and then I came to give a message—yes! it was a message, although from myself."