We met,—the rest a void!”—“Thou spectral Sin,
Be silent! or, if such a thing hath been,—
“If this be not thy frenzy,—quick, the proof,
Before I score the lie thy lips amid!”
She spoke so dread the other crouched aloof,
Panting, but with gaunt hands somewhere undid
A knot within her hair, and thence she took
The signet-ring and passed it. The Queen’s look
Fell on it, and that moment the strong stay,
Which held her from the instinct of her wrong,