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rose to greet her guests with smiling eyes,
 * A wealth of rich experience in her face,
 * Her movements full of that unconscious grace

In which a woman's highest power lies; One felt the heart beat true and tenderwise
 * Beneath the velvet folds and filmy lace,
 * Grim sorrow there had seemed to find no place,

But only peace and love in loveliest guise.

And as with ready wit and kindly mirth
 * She led the throng in repartee and jest,

To us she seemed as one from common earth,
 * With all its blighting pain, set far apart
 * And rounded in with peace—who could have guessed
 * A two-edged sword lay buried in her heart!