THAT very night Jim had written an answer to Norah’s letter and himself conveyed it to the secret post office. It was a letter strong in expressions of love and devotion, and he vowed that nothing should separate him from her. He asked her to try and arrange an interview, as he had a proposal to make. To restrain his impatience until he had got her answer was difficult, and the time went by with leaden feet. She told him that an interview was out of the question as she was being closely watched; nor would it be safe to write again for some time, as she was afraid she could not convey a letter to the place appointed without running risk of discovery. She renewed her vows of constancy, and bade him hope and wait.
“Be patient,” she counselled, “and all may be well.”
Before many days had pas
