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Rh him the passion he has inspired, protest against being your rival, and generously resign him."

"The sacrifice would be too great, for there is no one here to supply his place," interrupted her sister, somewhat more angrily than the occasion required: but at this moment Guido ascended the steps which led to the little terrace where they now stood.

"We have been expecting you some time," said Henrietta, kindly.

"I saw you in eager discourse, as I approached."

"We were," replied Marie, "employed in aërial architecture—the future for our groundwork; I was fancying a lover for myself."

"A lover!" answered Guido, in a low and altered voice.

"Ay, such a lover as these degenerate times are little likely to produce; one who, as the princely Medici, or the gallant Doria, were the glory of their cities, would be the glory of his. One to whom superiority was a birthright, and success a comrade; brave, generous, aspiring; one to whom nothing could seem impossible."

"And what," exclaimed the youth, gazing upon her, "could be impossible with such inspiration? Love lends its own strength to the effort