Page:A masque of poets 1878.djvu/230

 THE FORSAKEN BRIDE.

ORESEEING all her friends immense astonishment,

Going to meet it with an equal dread,

Florinda gave her maid a strict admonishment

Just what to say, and what to leave unsaid,

To questions soon to shower upon her head ;

For, first suspicions having proved unjust,

The girl was granted all the greater trust.

Deep was the dear old Aunt's amazement, meeting

At the hall door the unexpected bride.

Then, having passed the first tumultuous greeting,

"Your husband, Florie! where is he?" she cried,

Still more bewildered ; while the niece replied,

"Some sudden and important information

Obliged him to return by his plantation."