Part 43 (1/2)
Kathleen blushed scarlet at the question
”There is a real love and a false one,” she said ”The false sort loves a ined to be The real love co that a man is noble and brave”
Molly pondered a while over this
”Mr Cairns is not young, and he is not beautiful,” she soliloquised, ”but he is honest and brave, just a gentleht come to love him in time”
”Shall I prophesy?” Kathleen asked
”If it would be any help to you or to me, I would not be the one to stop you”
”Then I see you, in six months time, Mrs Cairns,” Kathleen answered
”I wish it had been O'Brien, or Fitzgerald, even O'Connor, but Desmond has chosen the better way,” said Molly
CHAPTER XXVI
GOOD AND EVIL
It was evening again at ”Layton” Thedown on Kathleen O'Connor as it shone on her that night when Gerard walked beside and te the shadowed avenue with Denis Quirk beside her Their voices were low, mere faint murmurs to Father Desmond O'Connor, who sat on the verandah beside old Samuel Quirk and spoke an occasional word to the old ht and dark shadows
Overhead the heavens were glittering with a hts revert to that other night when danger paced beside her This night she had no dread, for Denis Quirk had been tried and teirl's heart was beating ht marked an epoch in her existence
For three months since his wife's death Denis Quirk had abstained fro that which was constantly in his mind This he did, not because he felt himself bound by a specious loyalty to a false wife, but that Kathleen O'Connor ht become accustomed to him in his new position He would not hurry nor atteive her time to consider him as one permitted to woo her honourably He becairl whatever she desired, more courteous in speech and action; but he refrained fro the inevitable question
As they walked side by side Kathleen had the feeling that Mrs Quirk was close to the ”Kathleen” froht there was no note of warning in the voice She knew that ”Granny” Quirk had looked forward to a union between herself and Denis as the consummation of earthly happiness She believed that even in her present state of bliss her old friend would rejoice in that union
Denis Quirk softened his voice to a tender key that is not custoeneral rule he spoke in the tone of coht he had chosen the note of entreaty
”Kathleen” (he rested tenderly upon the word) ”I have longed for you many a day Sometimes I have been torn by a tempest of passionate desire But I have always respected you, and that respect restrainedfurnace that has burned in ht you would have pitied me I was couarded word or look, because I wished to ith honour beside me Now I am free to speak all that is in my heart, and that all is 'I love you and I desire you above all women'”
Kathleen did not answer at once She was moved by the passion in his voice; she had cohtened,” she said in a low voice
”Frightened of ainst the whole world There is no place for fear”
”You are asking ive unreservedly”
”Take any tiently
”No I don't ask any longer time than a few minutes Leave me alone for ten minutes; then come to me”
Without another word he returned to the verandah and seated hi thick volu air