Cross-currents

They parted—a pallid, trembling I pair,
  And rushing down the lane
He left her lonely near me there;
  —I asked her of their pain.

"It is for ever," at length she said,
  "His friends have schemed it so,
That the long-purposed day to wed
  Never shall we two know."

"In such a cruel case," said I,
  "Love will contrive a course?"
"—Well, no . . . A thing may underlie,
  Which robs that of its force;

"A thing I could not tell him of,
  Though all the year I have tried;
This: never could I have given him love,
  Even had I been his bride.

"So, when his kinsfolk stop the way
  Point-blank, there could not be
A happening in the world to-day
  More opportune for me!

"Yet hear—no doubt to your surprise—
  I am sorry, for his sake,
That I have escaped the sacrifice
  I was prepared to make!"