In London, where they spent their second year, Came occupations suited to the sphere In which they lived; and to the just pretence Of our Griselda's high-born consequence, New duties to the world which no excuse Admitted. She was mistress of L. House And heir to its traditions. These must be Observed by her in due solemnity. Her natural taste, I think, repelled the noise, The rush, and dust, and crush of London joys; But habit, which becomes a second sense, Had reconciled her to its influence Even in girlhood, and she long had known That life in crowds may still be life alone, While mere timidity and want of ease She never ranked among youth's miseries. She had her parents too, who made demand Upon her thoughts and time, and close at hand Sisters and friends. With these her days were spent In simple joys and girlish merriment. She would not own that being called a wife Should make a difference in her daily life. Then London lacks not of attractions fit For serious minds, and treasures infinite Of art and science for ingenious eyes, And learning for such wits as would be wise, Lectures in classes, galleries, schools of art: In each Griselda played conspicuous part-- Pupil and patron, ay, and patron-saint To no few poor who live by pens and paint. The world admired and flattered as a friend, And only wondered what would be the end. And so the days went by. Griselda's face, Calm in its outline of romantic grace, Became a type even to the vulgar mind Of all that beauty means when most refined, The visible symbol of a soul within, Conceived immaculate of human sin, And only clothed in our humanity That we may learn to praise and better be. Where'er she went, instinctively the crowd Made way before her, and ungrudging bowed To one so fair as to a queen of earth, Ruling by right of conquest and of birth. And thus I first beheld her, standing calm In the swayed crowd upon her husband's arm, One opera night, the centre of all eyes, So proud she seemed, so fair, so sweet, so wise. Some one behind me whispered "Lady L.! His Lordship too! and thereby hangs a tale."