Page:The Snake's Pass (Stoker).djvu/259

 "Wait! yes, I shall wait, but only till the time comes to punish you. And let me warn you to be careful how you speak of this lady! I have shown you already how I can deal with you personally; next time—if there be a next time" Here Murdock interrupted sotto voce—

"There'll be a next time; don't fear! Be God but there will!" I went on:—

"I shall not dirty my hands with you but I shall have you in gaol for slander."

"Gaol me, is it?" he sneered. "We'll see. An' so ye think ye're going to marry a lady, whin ye make an honest woman iv Norah Joyce, do ye? Luk at her! an' it's a lady ye're goin' to make iv her, is it? An' thim hands iv hers, wid the marks iv the milkin' an' the shpade on to them. My! but they'll luk well among the quality! won't they?" I was going to strike him again, but Norah laid her hand on my arm; so smothering my anger as well as I could, I said:—

"Don't dare to speak ill of people whose shoes you are not worthy to black; and be quick about your finishing your work at Shleenanaher, for you've got to go when the time is up. I won't have the place polluted by your presence a day longer than I can help."

Norah looked wonderingly at me and at him, for he had given a manifest start. I went on:—

"And as for these hands"—I took Norah's hands in mine—"perhaps the time may come when you will pray for the help of their honest strength—pray with all the