Observant of the way she told
       &nbsp So much of what was true,
No vanity could long withhold
       &nbsp Regard that was her due:
She spared him the familiar guile,
       &nbsp So easily achieved,
That only made a man to smile
       &nbsp And left him undeceived.
Aware that all imagining
       &nbsp Of more than what she meant
Would urge an end of everything,
       &nbsp He stayed; and when he went,
They parted with a merry word
       &nbsp That was to him as light
As any that was ever heard
       &nbsp Upon a starry night.
She smiled a little, knowing well
       &nbsp That he would not remark
The ruins of a day that fell
       &nbsp Around her in the dark:
He saw no ruins anywhere,
       &nbsp Nor fancied there were scars
On anyone who lingered there,
       &nbsp Alone below the stars.