While I, I get but coals. They never touch,

Unless to burn or else to blacken me.”

XXII.

She spoke, then left abruptly. Strange it was,

With what abhorrence I would shrink from her

While speaking thus. Not selfish seem’d she all,

But so insensible; and these, our tastes,

These dainty despots of desire, our tastes

The worst of tyrants are; nor brook offense.

I wellnigh hated her. Yet minded thus,