Esther, a Sonnet Sequence: XXXV
‘Silence. I will not listen!’ ‘And for what?’
She added strangely, in a softer mood.
‘You see I am not angry. Do you not?
Only soft—hearted, and alas! too good.
Why did you follow me?’ She took my hand
With a sudden action so devoid of guile
That I, who could not choose but understand,
Was softened too and fooled into a smile.
‘Why did you follow me? Here, feel,’ she said,
‘How my heart beats. It frightens me to find
So much of cunning in so young a head,
So young a heart,—and mine which is not blind!’
She pressed my hand to her side. In truth, her heart
Was beating there, my own heart’s counterpart.
