Esther, XXXV

" Silence. I will not listen ! " " And for what ? "
She added strangely, in a softer mood.
" You see I am not angry. Do you not ?
Only soft-hearted, and alas ! too good.
Why did you follow me ? " She took my hand
With a sudden action so devoid of guile
That I, who could not choose but understand,
Was softened too and fooled into a smile.
" Why did you follow me ? Here, feel," she said,
" How my heart beats. It frightens me to find
So much of cunning in so young a head,
So young a heart, — and mine which is not blind ! "
She pressed my hand to her side. In truth, her heart
Was beating there, my own heart's counterpart.