Page 135 - The snake's pass

CONFIDENCES. 123
—but the tears rushed to my eyes, and I had to
keep my head turned away from Dick lest he should
(
notice me. He said nothing, and when I had surrep-
titiously wiped away what I thought were unmanly
tears of emotion, I looked round at him. He, too,
had his head turned away and, and if my eyes did not
deceive me, he too had some unmanly signs of emotion.
" Dick " said I. He turned on the instant. We looked
!
in one another's faces, and the story was all told. We
grasped hands warmly.
"We're both in the same boat, old boy," said he.
"Who is it, Dick?"
" Norah Joyce ! "
I gave a low whistle.
" But," he went on, " you are well ahead of me.
I
have never even exchanged a word with her yet. I have
only seen her a couple of times; but the whole world
is nothing to me beside her. There! I've nothing to
tell. Veni, Vidi, Victus sum!—I came, I saw, I was
conquered. She has beauty enough, and if I'm not an
idiot, worth enough to conquer a nation!—Now, tell me
all about yours."
" There's nothing to tell, Dick ; as yet I have only
exchanged a few words. I shall hope to know more
soon." We walked along in silence, turning our steps
back to the hotel.
" I must hurry and
finish up my plans to-night so
as to be ready for you to-morrow. You won't look on
it as a labour to go to Knocknacar, old chap ! " said he,
slapping me on the back.