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he continued, "be always the offspring of fascination! Give it, at length, some other food than conjecture! not to remove doubts; I have none! but to solve difficulties that rob me of rest.—"

"I am sorry, Sir, very sorry, if I cause you any uneasiness," said Juliet, resuming her usual calmness of manner; yet with bent down eyes, that neither ventured to meet his, nor to cast a glance at the hand which she still fruitlessly strove to withdraw; "but indeed you must not detain me;—no, not a minute!"

Enchanted by the mildness of this remonstrance, little as its injunction met his wishes; "Half a minute, then!" he gaily replied, "accord me only half a minute, and I will try to be contented. Suffer me but to ask,—"

"No, Sir, you must ask me nothing! There is no question whatever I can answer!—"

"I will not make one, then! I will only offer an observation. There is a something—I know not what; nor can I