But when Jack had dined again and again,
  And with others enjoy’d the cards and fare. 
  With a little shiver that felt like pain,
  I would say ‘good night’ and leave Harry there.

Cool is the chamber and pleasant the light,
Tranquil and innocent, tender and calm;
Sweet are the thoughts that approach us at night,
Sweet as the breeze with its perfumy balm. 
And if I am reading the happy Word,
Or saying my prayers by the taper’s glow,
I wish that my Harry had this preferr’d
To the painted toys and the men below.

* * * * *

’I wish that my Harry had this preferr’d’—­
But ought I to wish it, if he does not? 
Has my foolish heart from its duty err’d,
And the soft compliance of love forgot?

There can be no question ’twixt wrong and right;
And surely we all can be brave and strong;
Yet I seem a little perplex’d to-night,
And hardly to know what is right or wrong.

  I’m very young to be anyone’s wife,
  And to know about serious things like these—­
  Must my little hand touch my husband’s life
  With a thought of something more than to please?

  What shall I do with this ghost of a care
  That makes my silly heart flutter and sink? 
  I will first kneel down and will say a prayer,
  And then I’ll ask Harry what I should think!

  Harry stalk’d into my room in a rage—­
  ’Hilton and Wilton have clear’d me out quite;
  A run of ill luck at every stage—­
  Fifty pounds lost since you left us to-night! 
  I’ll have my revenge on the rogues I vow!’
  Marks of strange anger disfigure his face,
  A dry parch’d lip and a thundery brow,
  And a sharp bright eye that has lost its grace.

  So a lov’d little hand comes smoothing down—­
  Wandering kisses can anger eclipse;
  The beautiful forehead has ceased to frown,
  And sweet is the kiss I find on my lips.

  ‘Ah, dearest,’ I whisper, ’mourn not for this,
  On a summer day with a heap of flowers;
  This cannot be sorrow, or if it is,
  It is a sorrow that cannot be ours.’

  All the strange passion had vanish’d, I ween;
  The Harry I knew had come back again;
  And on his sweet face I had never seen
  A sweeter smile than illumin’d it then.

  With smiles he caress’d me:  ’you little thing—­
  You dear little thing,’ he tenderly said;
  ’We have banish’d you by the cards we bring;
  Let us banish cards and have you instead.’

  I clapp’d my hands, and my heart beat light,
  As I softly whisper’d, ’Indeed you may,
  For I’m certain, Harry, it is not RIGHT
  To spend so much money and time at play.’