And tones more dear, to her fine-tuned ear,
On the midnight breezes float;
Than the sounds that ring
From the minstrel's string,
When the mighty deeds of some warrior king
Inspire each thrilling note.
* * * * *
"So there's a hole in the ballad," said the old tar, looking up in his
daughter's blushing face. "Julee, my dear, what does all this mean?"
"It would be a difficult matter for Miss Julee to explain," said Aunt
Dorothy.
Further remarks on either side were stopped by the announcement of
Colonel Hurdlestone, and his son and nephew. Juliet seized the portfolio
from her father, and, with one bound, cleared the opposite doorway, and
disappeared.
"We have frightened your daughter away, Captain Whitmore," said the
Colonel, glancing after the retreating figure of Juliet. "What made my
young friend run from us?"
"Oh, I have just found out the saucy jade is scribbling verses all over
my paper; and she is afraid that I should tell you about it; and that
aunt Dorothy would quiz her before these gentlemen."
"I should like much to see a specimen of her poetry," said the Colonel.
"Here are a few lines addressed to myself," said the proud father,
handing them to his friend. "I was going to scold Julee for her folly;
but, by Jove, Colonel, I could not bring my heart to do it after reading
that!"
The paper went round.
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