Page 223 - The snake's pass

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UN MAUVAIS QUART D'HEURE. 211 "
" Kemeniber, he is to be as your father, too; and
that you owe him all the love and honour that I do !
" Amen," I said, solemnly and we three wrung
;
each others' hands.
Before I went away, I said to Joyce :
You told me I might claim her when the treasure
11
of the Hill was found. Well! give me a month, and
perhaps, if I don't have the one you mean, I may have
another." I wanted to keep, for the present, the secret
of my purchase of the old farm, so as to make a happy
surprise when I should have actual possession.
" What do ye mane ? " he said.
"I shall tell you when the month is up," I answered;
" or if the treasure is found sooner—but you must trust
me till then."
Joyce's face looked happy as he strolled out, evidently
leaving me a chance of saying good-bye alone to Norah;
she saw it too, and followed him.
!
" Don't go father " she said. At the door she turned
her sweet face to me, and with a shy look at her father,
kissed me, and blushed rosy red.
" That's right, me girl," said Joyce, " honest love is
without shame ! Ye need never fear to kiss your lover
before me."
Again we stayed talking for a little while. I wanted
to say good-bye again; but this last time I had to
give the kiss myself. As I looked back from the gate,
I saw father and daughter standing close together ; he
had his arm round her shoulder, and the dear head