without pausing for one instant to think what I was saying, I
answered with amazing readiness and frankness, considering that I
really knew nothing about it:

"Why, my dear, Raffaello Cellini is betrothed, and he is a most
devoted lover."

A moment after I had uttered this assertion I was surprised at
myself. What authority had I for saying that Cellini was betrothed?
What did I know about it? Confused, I endeavoured to find some means
of retracting this unfounded and rash remark, but no words of
explanation would come to my lips that had been so ready and primed
to deliver what might be, for all I knew, a falsehood. Amy did not
perceive my embarrassment. She was pleased and interested at the
idea of Cellini's being in love.

"Really!" she exclaimed, "it makes him a more romantic character
than ever! Fancy his telling you that he was betrothed! How
delightful! I must ask him all about his chosen fair one. But I'm
positively thankful it isn't you, for I'm sure he's just a little
bit off his head. Even this book he has lent you looks like a
wizard's property;" and she fluttered the leaves of the "Dead
Musician's" volume, turning them rapidly over in search of something
attractive. Suddenly she paused and cried out: "Why, this is right-
down awful! He must have been a regular madman! Just listen!" and
she read aloud:

"'How mighty are the Kingdoms of the Air! How vast they are--how
densely populated--how glorious are their destinies--how all-
powerful and wise are their inhabitants! They possess everlasting