Page 325 - The snake's pass

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A GRIM WARNING. 313
the hotel sounded like thunder ; it was the last thing in
my ears before I went to sleep.
That night again I kept dreaming—dreaming in the
same nightmare fashion as before. But although the
working of my imagination centred round Knockcallte-
crore and all it contained, and although I suffered dismal
tortures from the hideous dreams of ruin and disaster
which afflicted me, I did not on this occasion arouse the
household. In the morning when we met, Dick looked
at my pale face and said :
"Dreaming again, Art! Well, please God, it's all
nearly over now. One more day, and Norah will be
away from Knockcalltecrore."
The thought gave me much relief. The next morn-
ing— on Thursday, 28th of October— we should be
on our way to Galway en route for London, whilst Dick
would receive on my behalf possession of the property
which I had purchased from Murdock. Indeed his
tenure ended at noon this very day ; but we thought it
wiser to postpone taking possession until after Norah
had left. Although Norah's departure meant a long
absence from the woman I loved, I could not regret
it, for it was after all but a long road to the end I
wished for. The two years would soon be over. And
then —and then life would begin in real earnest, and
!
along its paths of sorrow as of joy Norah and I should
walk with equal steps.
Alas ! for dreaming ! The dreams of the daylight
are often more delusive than even those born of the