``Silence. I will not listen!'' ``And for what?'' br She added strangely, in a softer mood. br ``You see I am not angry. Do you not? br Only soft--hearted, and alas! too good. br Why did you follow me?'' She took my hand br With a sudden action so devoid of guile br That I, who could not choose but understand, br Was softened too and fooled into a smile. br ``Why did you follow me? Here, feel,'' she said, br ``How my heart beats. It frightens me to find br So much of cunning in so young a head, br So young a heart,--and mine which is not blind!'' br She pressed my hand to her side. In truth, her heart br Was beating there, my own heart's counterpart.