It was forbidden ground. My
aunt was engaged with an old friend in the parlor, so I ventured in, and
snatched at the first book which came to hand. It was a volume of
Shakspeare, and contained, among other plays, the Tempest and Midsummer
Night's Dream. Afraid of detection I stole away into the park, and
beneath the shadow of the greenwood tree, I devoured with rapture the
inspired pages of the great magician. What a world of wonders it opened
to my view! Since that eventful hour poetry has become to me the
language of nature--the voice in which creation lifts up its myriad
anthems to the throne of God."
An enthusiastic country girl could alone have addressed this rhapsody to
a stranger. A woman of the world with half her talent and moral worth,
would have blushed at her imprudence in betraying the romance of her
nature. Juliet was a novice in the world, and she spoke with the
simplicity and earnestness of truth. Godfrey smiled in his heart at her
want of tact; yet there was one near him, in whose breast Juliet
Whitmore would have found an echo to her own words.
The gentlemen rose to depart, and promised to dine at the Lodge the next
day.
"Two fine young men," said the Captain, turning to his daughter, as the
door closed upon his guests. "Which of them took your fancy most,
Julee?"
"They are so much alike--I should scarcely know them apart.
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