Ay, strange; but only strange that good Lord Howe
Preferred him to the post because of pauls.
For me I’m sworn never to trust a man—
At least with letters.’
‘There were facts to tell,—
To smooth with eye and accent. Howe supposed . .
Well, well, no matter! there was dubious need;
You heard the news from Vincent Carrington.
And yet perhaps you had been startled less
To see me, dear Aurora, if you had read
That letter.’
—Now he sets me down as vexed.
I think I’ve draped myself in woman’s pride
To a perfect purpose. Oh, I’m vexed, it seems!
My friend Lord Howe deputes his friend Sir Blaise
To break as softly as a sparrow’s egg
That lets a bird out tenderly, the news
Of Romney’s marriage to a certain saint;
To smooth with eye and accent,—indicate
His possible presence. Excellently well
You’ve played your part, my Lady Waldemar,—
As I’ve played mine.
‘Dear Romney,’ I began,
‘You did not use, of old, to be so like
A Greek king coming from a taken Troy,
’Twas needful that precursors spread your path
With three-piled carpets, to receive your foot
And dull the sound of’t. For myself, be sure
Although it frankly ground the gravel here
