Page 191 - The snake's pass

IN THE CLIFF FIELDS. — — 1/9
much to say—nothing that was new—the old, old story
that has been told since the days when Adam, waking,
found that a new joy had entered into his life. For those
whose feet have wandered in Eden, there is no need
to speak; for those who are yet to tread the hallowed
ground, there is no need either—for in the fulness of
time their knowledge will come.
It was not till we had sat some time that we ex-
changed any sweet words— they were sweet, although
to any one but ourselves they would have seemed the
most absurd and soulless commonplaces.
We spoke, and that was all. It is of the nature of
love that it can from airy nothings win its own celestial
food !
Presently I said — and I pledge my word that this
was the first speech that either of us had made, beyond
the weather and the view, and such lighter topics :
I have so longed
" Won't you tell me your name ?
to know it, all these weary days."
" Norah—Norah Joyce
! I thought you knew."
This was said with a shy lifting of the eyelashes,
which were as suddenly and as shyly dropped again.
" Norah ! " As I spoke the word — and my whole
soul was in its speaking—the happy blush overspread
her face again. " Norah ! What a sweet name ! Norah !
No, I did not know it ; if I had known it, when I
missed you from the hill-top at Knocknacar, I should
have sought you here."
Somehow her next remark seemed to chill me :