Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/217

 day, but could get no word of her; for I did not know who she was, or where she came from. Then, by chance, and after many weary days, again I saw her in the Cliff Fields below, three days ago. I could no longer be silent, but told her that I loved her, and asked her to be my wife. She asked a while to think, and left me, promising to give me an answer on the next evening. I came again; and I got my answer." Here Norah, who was sobbing, with her face turned away, looked round, and said:—

"Hush! hush! You must not let father know. All the harm will be done!" Her father answered in a low voice:—

"All that could be done is done already, daughter. Ye never tould me!"

"Sir! Norah is worthy of all esteem. Her answer to me was that she could not leave her father, who was all alone in the world!" Norah turned away again, but her father's arm went round her shoulder. "She told me I must think no more of her; but, sir, you and I, who are men, must not let a woman, who is dear to us both make such a sacrifice." Joyce's face was somewhat bitter as he answered me:—

"Ye think pretty well of yerself, young sir, whin ye consider it a sacrifice for me daughter to shtay wid the father, who loves her, and who she loves. There was never a shadda on her life till ye came!" This was hard to hear, but harder to answer, and I stammered as I replied:—