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And she to seem as thoughtless. Till to-night, Like some fair planet in its own far light, She shone apart; to-night she sought the crowd, Join'd in their mirthfulness, and laugh'd aloud; Was ready with gay converse,—that light mirth Which like the meteor has from darkness birth: She watch'd her circle,—ready smile or sneer,— Sneers for the absent ones, smiles for the near, Till every other hall sent forth its tide, And half the guests were gather'd at her side. It was an evil feeling that which now Flush'd on her cheek, and lighted up her brow— Part bitterness, part vanity, part woe— The passionate strife which pride and misery know; A burning wish to wake a vain regret In that false one, who now had best forget;