Page 190 - The snake's pass

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178 THE snake's pass. !
Then I ascended the rock. I did not make more
noise than I could help ; but I did not try to come
silently. She had evidently heard steps, for she spoke
without turning round :
" Am I wanted ? " Then, as I was passing across the
plateau, my step seemed to arouse her attention for
;
at a bound she leaped to her feet, and turned with a
glad look that went through the shadow on my soul,
as the sunshine strikes through the mist.
"Arthur!" She almost rushed to meet me; but stopped
suddenly—for an instant grew pale—and then a red flush
crimsoned her face and neck. She put up her hands
before her face, and I could see the tears drop through
her fingers.
As for myself, I was half-dazed. When I saw that
it was indeed my unknown, a wild joy leaped to my
heart ; and then came the revulsion from my long pent-
—
up sorrow and anxiety ; and as I faltered out " At last
"
at last —the tears sprang unbidden to my eyes. There
!
is, indeed, a dry-eyed grief, but its corresponding joy is
as often smit with sudden tears.
In an instant I was by her side, and had her hand in
mine. It was only for a moment, for she withdrew it
with a low cry of maidenly fear—but in that moment
of gentle, mutual pressure, a whole world had passed,
and we knew that we loved.
We were silent for a time, and then we sat together
on a boulder—she edging away from me shyly.
What matters it of what we talked? There was not