And so, half-pleased, half-puzzled, was led forth

By my grave husband, older than my sire.

O the long years that followed! It would seem

That the sun never shone in all those years,

Or only with a sudden, troubled glint

Flashed on Antonio's curls, as he went by

Doffing his cap, with eyes of wistful love

Raised to my face—my conscious, woeful face.

Were we so much to blame? Our lives had twined

Together, none forbidding, for so long.