Page 272 - The snake's pass

260 the snake's pass.
property. I made Joyce the offer ; lie accepted at once,
but said it was more than it was worth.
" No," said I, "I shall take the chance I intend
!
to make improvements."
Norah did not make any objection to her father selling
the Cliff Fields. She told me that as I wanted to have
them, I might, of course ; but she hoped I would never
sell the spot, as it was very dear to her. I assured her
that in this as in all other matters I would do as she
wished, and we sealed the assurance with . Never
mind ! we sealed it !
I spent the afternoon there, for it was to be my last
afternoon with Norah until I came back from Paris.
We went down for a while to the Cliff Fields and sat
on the table rock and talked over all our plans. I told
her I had a scheme regarding Knockcalltecrore, but that
I did not wish to tell her about it as it was to be a
surprise. It needed a pretty hard struggle to be able
to keep her in the dark even to this extent—there is
nothing more sweet to young lovers than to share a
secret. She knew that my wishes were all for her, and
was content.
When we got back to the cottage I said good-bye.
This naturally took some time—a first good-bye always
does —aod went home to get my traps packed ready
!
for an early start in the morning—more especially as I
wished, when in Galway, to give Mr. Caicy instructions
as to transferring the two properties—Norah's and her
father's.