Page:Aurora Leigh a Poem.djvu/381

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AURORA LEIGH.
And though ’twas altered perfectly since then.I told him, as I tell you now, Miss Leigh,And proved I took some trouble for his sake(Because I know he did not love the girl)To spoil my hands with working in the streamOf that poor bubbling nature,—till she went,Consigned to one I trusted, my own maid,Who once had lived full five months in my house,(Dressed hair superbly) with lavish purseTo carry to Australia where she had leftA husband, said she. If the creature lied,The mission failed, we all do fail and lieMore or less—and I’m sorry—which is allExpected from us when we fail the most,And go to church to own it. What I meant,Was just the best for him, and me, and her . .Best even for Marian!—I am sorry for’t,And very sorry. Yet my creature saidShe saw her stop to speak in Oxford StreetTo one . . no matter! I had sooner cutMy hand off (though ’twere kissed the hour before,And promised a pearl troth-ring for the next)Than crush her silly head with so much wrong.Poor child! I would have mended it with gold,Until it gleamed like St. Sophia’s domeWhen all the faithful troop to morning prayer:But he, he nipped the bud of such a thoughtWith that cold Leigh look which I fancied once,And broke in, ‘Henceforth she was called his wife.‘His wife required no succour; he was bound
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