XIX

Sobbing she spoke as if but half awake,

Her eyes far-fixed beyond me, far beyond

All hope of mine.—So! it was for his sake,

His love, that she had suffered!... Blind and fond,

For what return!... And I—to nurse a snake,

And never dream its nature would respond

With some such fang of venom! 'Twas for this

That I had ventured all—to find her his!