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370 transcendent raptures and terrors, and, defying all anguish, empty again the dreadful cup. I believe she had quite enough of it the first time, the poor blest creature, this pure sacrifice of the great passion.

Julia loves for the first time, and loves with the full healthiness of love and soul. She is fourteen years old, which in Italy means as much as seventeen by the Northern standard. She is a rosebud which is kissed before our eyes by Romeo's lips, and which blossoms out in youthful fulness and beauty. She has not learned what love is from worldly or religious books, the sun has told it to her and the moon repeated it, and her heart re-echoed it when she by night believed herself to be alone. But Romeo stood beneath the balcony and heard it all, and took her at her word. The character of her love is truth and earnestness. The maid breathes honesty and truth, and it is touching to the heart when she speaks thus:— "Jul. Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face ;

Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek,

For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night.

Fain would I dwell on form, fain, fain deny

What I have spoke ; but farewell compliment !

Dost love me ? I know, thou wilt say Ay ;

And I will take thy word : yet, if thou swear's!

Thou mayst prove false ; at lovers' perjuries,

They say, Jove laughs. gentle Romeo,