Page 217 - The snake's pass

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UN MAUVAIS QUART D'HEURE. 205
day, but could get no word of her; for I did not know
who she was, or where she came from. Then, by chance,
and after many weary days, again I saw her in the
Cliff Fields below, three days ago. I could no longer be
silent, but told her that I loved her, and asked her to
be my wife. She asked a while to think, and left me,
promising to give me an answer on the next evening.
I came again ; and I got my answer." Here Norah, who
was sobbing, with her face turned away, looked round,
and said:
" Hush ! hush ! You must not let father know. All
the harm will be done ! " Her father answered in a
low voice :
"All that could be done is done already, daughter.
"
Ye never tould me !
" Sir Norah is worthy of all esteem.
! Her answer to
me was that she could not leave her father, who was all
alone in the world " Norah turned away again, but her
!
father's arm went round her shoulder. " She told me
I must think no more of her; but, sir, you and I,
who are men, must not let a woman, who is dear to us
both make such a sacrifice." Joyce's face was some-
what bitter as he answered me:
"Ye think pretty well of yerself, young sir, whin
ye consider it a sacrifice for me daughter to shtay wid
the father, who loves her, and who she loves. There
was never a shadda on her life till ye came ! '* This
was hard to hear, but harder to answer, and I stam-
mered as I replied :