Page 189 - The snake's pass

IN THE CLIFF FIELDS. 177
after-grass was deep, and there were many clumps
of trees and shrubs—none of them of considerable
height except a few great stone-pines which towered
aloft and dared the fury of the western breeze. But
not all the beauty of the scene could hold my eyes—for
seated on the rocky table in the centre, just as I had
seen her on the hill-top at Knocknacar, sat a girl to
all intents the ditto of my unknown.
My heart gave a great bound, and in the tumult of
hope that awoke within my breast the whole world
seemed filled with sunshine. For an instant I almost
lost my senses my knees shook, and my eyes grew dim.
;
Then came a horrible suspense and doubt. It was im-
possible to believe that I should see my unknown here
when I least expected to see her. And then came the
man's desire of action.
I do not know how I began. To this day I cannot
make out whether I took a bee-line for that isolated table
of rock, and from where I was, slid or crawled down the
face of the rock, or whether I made a detour to the
same end. All I can recollect is that I found my-
self scrambling over some large boulders, and then
passing through the deep heavy grass at the foot of
the rock.
Here I halted to collect my thoughts — a moment
sufficed. I was too much in earnest to need any de-
liberation, and there was no choice of ways. I only
waited to be sure that I would not create any alarm
by unnecessary violence.