Page 237 - The snake's pass

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BOG-FISHING AND SCHOOLING. 225 ;
"Why so, dearest?"
"Because, dear, I am thinking of the future. You
know, Arthur, that I love you, and that whatever you
wish, I would and shall gladly do; but you must think
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for me too. I am only a peasant girl
"Peasant!" I laughed. " Norah, you are the best
lady I have ever seen! Why, you are like a queen
what a queen ought to be !
" I am proud and happy, Arthur, that you think so
but still I am only a peasant ! Look at me—at my dress.
Yes ! I know you like it, and I shall always prize it
because it found favour in your eyes ! " She smiled
happily, but went on:
"Dear, I am speaking very truly. My life and
surroundings are not yours. You are lifting me to a
higher grade in life, Arthur, and I want to be worthy
of it and of you. I do not want any of your family or
your friends to pity you and say, 'Poor fellow, he has
made a sad mistake. Look at her manners—she is not
of us.' 'I could not bear to hear or to know that such
-vas said — that anyone should have to pity the man
I love, and to have that pity because of me. Arthur, it
would break my heart !
As she spoke the tears welled up in the deep dark
eyes and rolled unchecked down her cheeks. I caught
her to my breast with the sudden instinct of protection,
and cried out :
"Norah! no one on earth could say such a thing of
you — you who would lift a man, not lower him. You
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