a flush spreads over all her face

as if a dream had crept through her gently

until she laughs aloud very softly

with a tremulous flutter of the lips.

"What amorous lips, Adalaisa,"

thinks Arnold. But he looks at her silently.

A great sigh swells through her, sleeping,

like a seawave, and fades to stillness.

"What sighs swell in your breast, Adalaisa,"

thinks Arnold. But he stares at her silently.