Page 220 - The snake's pass

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208 — THE snake's pass. — " —
that it held us ; however, as lightly as I could I
spoke :
" Then I would claim her now !
"What do ye mane?"—this was said half anxiously,
half fiercely.
" The treasure of Knockcalltecrore is here ; you hold
her in your arms ! " He bent over her :
" Aye ! the threasure sure enough—the threasure ye
would rob me of!" Then he turned to me, and said
sternly, but not unkindly :
" Go, now! I can't bear more at prisent; and even me
daughter may wish to be for a while alone wid me !
I bowed my head and turned to leave the room; but as
I was going out, he called me back :
" Shtay ! Afther all, the young is only young. Ye seem
to have done but little harm—if any." He held out his
hand; I grasped it closely, and from that instant it
seemed that our hearts warmed to each other. Then
I felt bolder, and stepping to Norah took her hand
she made no resistance—and pressed it to my lips, and
went out silently. I had hardly left the door when
Joyce came after me.
" Come agin in an hour," he said, and went in and
shut the door.
Then I wandered to the rocks and climbed down
the rugged path into the Cliff Fields. I strode
through the tall grass and the weeds, rank with the
continuous rain, and gained the table rock. I climbed
it, and sat where I first had met my love, after