Chapter XX

What struggles then were mine! Too cautious grown,
To dare to risk a fall, though but in love,
How would I brace my powers against her charms
That might unbalance me! How would my will,
That strove to master my reluctant mien,
Make stiff my every smile! or, were my heart
Too strong to be suppress’d, how would I thwart
And turn each glance that could reveal one glimpse
Of how I loved her, toward her sister first!
Unconscious Edith,—could she read deceit?—
’Twas all I dared to use. How could I else,
Poor fool, that then I felt myself to be,
Hide my infatuation!