Through the barred and bolted door.
When he paused the rude door opened,
And before its splintered place
Stood the vision of the shadows,
And he saw Her fearless face.


35

As the artist in his painting
Plans the background to enhance
All the beauty of his subject
Both in pose and countenance,
So the poor and dark interior
Lent its gloom to magnify
All the power and witching beauty
Of her face and lustrous eye.
Standing there, a pictured goddess
Sketched against a lowering storm,
Bearing on her pallid features
That supernal gift of calm.


36

"Nancy! Woman! God in heaven,
Speak, girl! Can this thing be true?
Are you here with that--that scoundrel,
After all that I've gone through?
Do you stand there, fiend or human,