But when he saw his caution gave her pain,

And kindness brought suspense’s rack again,

Faith, honour, friendship, bound him to unmask

Truths which her timid fondness feared to ask.

“And yet with gracefully ingenuous power

Her spirit met the explanatory hour;—

Even conscious beauty brightened in her eyes,

That told she knew their love no vulgar prize;

And pride, like that of one more woman-grown,

Enlarged her mien, enriched her voice’s tone.