Page 238 - The snake's pass

226 THE sxake's pass. —
could not be ungraceful if you tried ; and as for my
family and friends, if there is one who will not hold out
both hands to you and love you, he or she is no kin or
friend of mine."
" But, Arthur, they might be right I have learned
!
enough to know that there is so much more to learn
—that the great world you live in is so different from
our quiet, narrow life here. Indeed, I do not mean
to be nervous as to the future, or to make any difficul-
ties but, dear, I should like to be able to do all that
;
is right and necessary as your wife. Eemember, that
when I leave here I shall not have one of my own kin
or friends to tell me anything—from whom I could ask
advice. They do not themselves even know what I might
want—not one of them all ! Your world and mine,
dear, are so different—as yet."
" But, Norah, shall I not be always by your side to
"
ask ? —I felt very superior and very strong as well
as very loving as I spoke.
" Yes, yes ; but oh ! Arthur—can you not understand
I love you so that I would like to be, even in the eyes
of others, all that you could wish. But, dear, you must
understand and help me here. I cannot reason with
you. Even now I feel my lack of knowledge, and it
makes me fearful. Even now"—her voice died away
in a sob, and she hid her beautiful eyes with her
hand.
!
" My darling ! my darling " I said to her passion-
—
atelv—all the true lover in me awake " Tell me what