Explore "Her Confession" by Thomas Hardy on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
AS some bland soul, to whom a debtor says / "I'll now repay the amount I owe to you," / In inward gladness feigns forgetfulness / That such a payment ever was his due
(His long thought notwithstanding), so did I / At our last meeting waive your proffered kiss / With quick divergent talk of scenery nigh, / By such suspension to enhance my bliss.
And as his looks in consternation fall / When, gathering that the debt is lightly deemed, / The debtor makes as not to pay at all, / So faltered I, when your intention seemed
Converted by my false uneagerness / To putting off for ever the caress.