Poetry Day - Her confession

Here's another by Thomas Hardy (I do love these poems of romantic misunderstandings).

Her Confession

As some bland soul, to whom a debtor says

'I'll now repay the amount I owe you,'

In inward gladness feigns forgetfulness

That such a payment ever was his due

(His long thought notwithstanding), so did I

At our last meeting waive your proffered kiss

With quick divergent talk of scenery nigh,

By such suspension to enhance my bliss.

And as his looks in consternation fall

When, gathering that the debt is lightly deemed,

That debtor makes as not to pay at all,

So faltered I, when your intention seemed

Converted by my false uneagerness

To putting off for ever the caress.

Thomas Hardy

Image from: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/novel_19c/hardy/tess-draws-off.jpg