To undertake her lessons, and would sit

Apparently in fear lest aught should mar—

By some catastrophe to him afar—

Her own anticipations, and destroy

Their mutual bodings of conjugal joy:

She’d read his letters (and give each a kiss),

In which, alone, she found a world of bliss;

And oftentimes a tear would damp her face

Whilst she replaced them in her writing-case.

On one occasion, when Jane heard the lark’s