I was with them when they met, unwilling third, In their mute bandying of the unspoken word. Lord L. essayed to speak. I saw his face Made up for a high act of tragic grace As he came forward. It was grave and mild, A father's welcoming a truant child, Forgiving, yet intent to mark the pain With hope "the thing should not occur again." His lips began to move as to some speech Framed in this sense, as one might gently preach A word in season to too gadding wives Of duties owed, at least by those whose lives Moved in high places. But it died unsaid. There was that about Griselda that forbade Marital questionings. Her queenly eyes Met his with a mute answer of surprise, Marking the unseemliness of all display More strongly than with words, as who should say _Noblesse oblige._ She took his outstretched hand, And kissed his cheek, but would not understand A word of his reproaches. Even I, With my full knowledge and no more a boy, But versed by years in the world's wickedness, And open-eyed to her, alas! no less Than to all womanhood, even I felt shame, And half absolved her in my mind from blame. And he, how could he less? He was but human, The fortunate husband of how fair a woman! He stammered his excuses. What she told When I had left them (since all coin is gold To those who would believe, and who the key Hold of their eyes, in blind faith's alchemy) I never learned. I did not linger on, Seeing her peril past and the day won, But took my leave. She led me to the door With her old kindness of the days of yore, And thanked me as one thanks for little things. "You have been," she said, "an angel without wings, And I shall not forget,--nor will Lord L.; And yet," she said, with an imperceptible Change in her voice, "there are things the world will say Which are neither just nor kind, and, if to-day We part awhile, remember we are friends, If not now later. Time will make amends, And we shall meet again." I pressed her hand A moment to my lips. "I understand," I said, and gazed a last time in her eyes; "Say all you will. I am your sacrifice."