Then addressing him again: "But, Donatello, how long will this happiness last ?" "How long!" he exclaimed; for it perplexed him even more to think of the future than to remember the past.

"Why should it have any end?
How long! Forever! forever! forever!" "The child! the simpleton!" said Miriam, with sudden laughter, and checking it as suddenly.

"But is he a simpleton indeed?
Here, in those few natural words, he has expressed that deep sense, that profound conviction of its own immortality, which genuine love never fails to bring.

He perplexes me,--yes, and bewitches me,--wild, gentle, beautiful creature that he is! It is like playing with a young greyhound!" Her eyes filled with tears, at the same time that a smile shone out of them.

Then first she became sensible of a delight and grief at once, in feeling this zephyr of a new affection, with its untainted freshness, blow over her weary, stifled heart, which had no right to be revived by it.