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XXXVII
Then shame swept over her and held her numb； Hiding her
anguished face against the seat。 At last she rose； a woman stricken dumb
And trailed away with slowly…dragging feet。 Gervase looked after her；
but feared to pass The barrier set between them。 All his rare Joy
broke to fragments worse than that； unreal。 And standing lonely there；
His swollen heart burst out； and on the grass He flung himself and wept。
He knew； alas！ The loss so great his life could never heal。
XXXVIII
For days thereafter Eunice lived retired； Waited upon by one old
serving…maid。 She would not leave her chamber； and desired Only to
hide herself。 She was afraid Of what her eyes might trick her into seeing；
Of what her longing urge her then to do。 What was this dreadful
illness solitude Had tortured her into？ Her hours went by in a long
constant fleeing The thought of that one morning。 And her being
Bruised itself on a happening so rude。
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Men； Women and Ghosts
XXXIX
It grew ripe Summer； when one morning came Her tirewoman with a
letter； printed Upon the seal were the Deane crest and name。 With utmost
gentleness； the letter hinted His understanding and his deep regret。 But
would she not permit him once again To pay her his profound
respects？ No word Of what had passed should pain Her resolution。
Only let them get Back the old comradeship。 Her eyes were wet
With starting tears； now truly she deplored
XL
His misery。 Yes； she was wrong to keep Away from him。 He
hardly was to blame。 'Twas she she shuddered and began to weep。
'Twas her fault！ Hers！ Her everlasting shame Was that she suffered him；
whom not at all She loved。 Poor Boy！ Yes； they must still be friends。
She owed him that to keep the balance straight。 It was such poor amends
Which she could make for rousing hopes to gall Him with their
unfulfilment。 Tragical It was； and she must leave him desolate。
XLI
Hard silence he had forced upon his lips For long and long； and
would have done so still Had not she here she pressed her finger tips
Against her heavy eyes。 Then with forced will She wrote that he might
come； sealed with the arms Of Crowe and Frampton twined。 Her heart
felt lighter When this was done。 It seemed her constant care
Might some day cease to fright her。 Illness could be no crime； and dreadful
harms Did come from too much sunshine。 Her alarms Would
lessen when she saw him standing there；
XLII
Simple and kind； a brother just returned From journeying； and he
would treat her so。 She knew his honest heart； and if there burned A
spark in it he would not let it show。 But when he really came； and stood
beside Her underneath the fruitless cherry boughs； He seemed a
tired man； gaunt； leaden…eyed。 He made her no more vows； Nor did he
mention one thing he had tried To put into his letter。 War supplied
Him topics。 And his mind seemed occupied。
XLIII
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Men； Women and Ghosts
Daily they met。 And gravely walked and talked。 He read her no
more verses； and he stayed Only until their conversation； balked Of
every natural channel； fled dismayed。 Again the next day she would meet
him； trying To give her tone some healthy sprightliness； But his
uneager dignity soon chilled Her well…prepared address。 Thus Summer
waned； and in the mornings； crying Of wild geese startled Eunice； and
their flying Whirred overhead for days and never stilled。
XLIV
One afternoon of grey clouds and white wind； Eunice awaited
Gervase by the river。 The Dartle splashed among the reeds and whined
Over the willow…roots； and a long sliver Of caked and slobbered foam
crept up the bank。 All through the garden； drifts of skirling leaves
Blew up； and settled down； and blew again。 The cherry…trees were
weaves Of empty； knotted branches； and a dank Mist hid the house；
mouldy it smelt and rank With sodden wood； and still unfalling rain。
XLV
Eunice paced up and down。 No joy she took At meeting Gervase；
but the custom grown Still held her。 He was late。 She sudden shook；
And caught at her stopped heart。 Her eyes had shown Sir Everard
emerging from the mist。 His uniform was travel…stained and torn；
His jackboots muddy； and his eager stride Jangled his spurs。 A thorn
Entangled； trailed behind him。 To the tryst He hastened。 Eunice
shuddered； ran a twist Round a sharp turning and she fled to hide。
XLVI
But he had seen her as she swiftly ran； A flash of white against the
river's grey。 〃Eunice；〃 he called。 〃My Darling。 Eunice。 Can You
hear me？ It is Everard。 All day I have been riding like the very devil
To reach you sooner。 Are you startled； Dear？〃 He broke into a run
and followed her； And caught her； faint with fear； Cowering and
trembling as though she some evil Spirit were seeing。 〃What means this
uncivil Greeting； Dear Heart？〃 He saw her senses blur。
XLVII
Swaying and catching at the seat； she tried To speak； but only
gurgled in her throat。 At last； straining to hold herself； she cried To him
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