Thomas Hardy — Cross-currents

They parted - a pallid, trembling I pair,        &nbsp And rushing down the lane He left her lonely near me there;        &nbsp - I asked her of their pain. “It is for ever,” at length she said,        &nbsp “His friends have schemed it so, That the long-purposed day to wed        &nbsp Never shall we two know.” “In such a cruel case,” said I,        &nbsp “Love will contrive a course?” “ - Well, no . . . A thing may underlie,        &nbsp Which robs that of its force; “A thing I could not tell him of,        &nbsp Though all the year I have tried; This: never could I have given him love,        &nbsp Even had I been his bride. “So, when his kinsfolk stop the way        &nbsp Point-blank, there could not be A happening in the world to-day        &nbsp More opportune for me! “Yet hear - no doubt to your surprise -        &nbsp I am sorry, for his sake, That I have escaped the sacrifice        &nbsp I was prepared to make!”