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who； unconscious； Had guessed no inward strife … Bade her； in pride and
pleasure； Welcome his fair young wife。
VI。
Bade her rejoice； and smiling； Although his eyes were dim； Thanked
God he thus could pay her The care she gave to him。 This fresh bright life
would bring her A new and joyous fate … Oh； Alice； check the murmur
That cries； 〃Too late！ too late！〃
VII。
Too late！ Could she have known it A few short weeks before； That
his life was completed； And needing hers no more； She mightOh sad
repining！ What 〃might have been；〃 forget； 〃It was not；〃 should suffice us
To stifle vain regret。
VIII。
He needed her no longer； Each day it grew more plain； First with a
startled wonder； Then with a wondering pain。 Love： why； his wife best
gave it； Comfort： durst Alice speak； Or counsel； when resentment
Flushed on the young wife's cheek？
IX。
No more long talks by firelight Of childish times long past； And
dreams of future greatness Which he must reach at last； Dreams； where her
purer instinct With truth unerring told； Where was the worthless gilding；
And where refined gold。
X。
Slowly； but surely ever； Dora's poor jealous pride； Which she called
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love for Herbert； Drove Alice from his side； And； spite of nervous effort
To share their altered life； She felt a check to Herbert； A burden to his
wife。
XI。
This was the least； for Alice Feared； dreaded； KNEW at length How
much his nature owed her Of truth； and power； and strength； And watched
the daily failing Of all his nobler part： Low aims； weak purpose； telling In
lower； weaker art。
XII。
And now； when he is dying； The last words she could hear Must not be
hers； but given The bride of one short year。 The last care is another's； The
last prayer must not be The one they learnt together Beside their mother's
knee。
XIII。
Summoned at last： she kisses The clay…cold stiffening hand； And；
reading pleading efforts To make her understand； Answers； with solemn
promise； In clear but trembling tone； To Dora's life henceforward She will
devote her own。
XIV。
Now all is over。 Alice Dares not remain to weep； But soothes the
frightened Dora Into a sobbing sleep。 The poor weak child will need
her： 。 。 。 Oh； who can dare complain； When God sends a new Duty To
comfort each new Pain！
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III。
I。
The House is all deserted； In the dim evening gloom； Only one figure
passes Slowly from room to room； And； pausing at each doorway； Seems
gathering up again Within her heart the relics Of bygone joy and pain。
II。
There is an earnest longing In those who onward gaze； Looking with
weary patience Towards the coming days。 There is a deeper longing； More
sad； more strong； more keen： Those know it who look backward； And
yearn for what has been。
III。
At every hearth she pauses； Touches each well…known chair； Gazes
from every window； Lingers on every stair。 What have these months
brought Alice Now one more year is past？ This Christmas Eve shall tell us；
The third one and the last。
IV。
The wilful； wayward Dora； In those first weeks of grief； Could seek
and find in Alice Strength； soothing； and relief； And Alicelast sad
comfort True woman…heart can take … Had something still to suffer And
bear for Herbert's sake。
V。
Spring； with her western breezes； From Indian islands bore To Alice
news that Leonard Would seek his home once more。 What was itjoy； or
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sorrow？ What were theyhopes； or fears？ That flushed her cheeks with
crimson； And filled her eyes with tears？
VI。
He came。 And who so kindly Could ask and hear her tell Herbert's
last hours； for Leonard Had known and loved him well。 Daily he came；
and Alice； Poor weary heart； at length； Weighed down by others' weakness；
Could lean upon his strength。
VII。
Yet not the voice of Leonard Could her true care beguile； That turned
to watch； rejoicing Dora's reviving smile。 So； from that little household
The worst gloom passed away； The one bright hour of evening Lit up the
livelong day。
VIII。
Days passed。 The golden summer In sudden heat bore down Its blue；
bright； glowing sweetness Upon the scorching town。 And sighs and sounds
of country Came in the warm soft tune Sung by the honeyed breezes
Borne on the wings of June。
IX。
One twilight hour； but earlier Than usual； Alice thought She knew the
fresh sweet fragrance Of flowers that Leonard brought； Through opened
doors and windows It stole up through the gloom； And with appealing
sweetness Drew Alice from her room。
X。
Yes； he was there； and pausing Just near the opened door； To check her
heart's quick beating； She heardand paused still more … His low voice
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Dora's answers … His pleadingYes； she knew The tonethe wordsthe
accents： She once had heard them too。
XI。
〃Would Alice blame her？〃 Leonard's Low； tender answer came； …
〃A