Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/223

 "Remember, he is to be as your father, too; and that you owe him all the love and honour that I do!"

"Amen," I said, solemnly; and we three wrung each others' hands.

Before I went away, I said to Joyce:—

"You told me I might claim her when the treasure of the Hill was found. Well! give me a month, and perhaps, if I don't have the one you mean, I may have another." I wanted to keep, for the present, the secret of my purchase of the old farm, so as to make a happy surprise when I should have actual possession.

"What do ye mane?" he said.

"I shall tell you when the month is up," I answered; "or if the treasure is found sooner—but you must trust me till then."

Joyce's face looked happy as he strolled out, evidently leaving me a chance of saying good-bye alone to Norah; she saw it too, and followed him.

"Don't go father!" she said. At the door she turned her sweet face to me, and with a shy look at her father, kissed me, and blushed rosy red.

"That's right, me girl," said Joyce, "honest love is without shame! Ye need never fear to kiss your lover before me."

Again we stayed talking for a little while. I wanted to say good-bye again; but this last time I had to give the kiss myself. As I looked back from the gate, I saw father and daughter standing close together; he had his arm round her shoulder, and the dear head