midnight
At the age of fifteen , her elastic shape had grown round and full , and the wild girl had already ripened to the woman . An expression of thought , when the play of her features was in repose , that dwelt upon her lip and forehead , gave her the appearance of being two or three years older than she was ; but again , when her natural vivacity returned , -- when the clear and buoyant music of her gay laugh rang out , or when the cool air and bright sky of morning sent the blood to her cheek and the zephyr to her step , her face became as the face of childhood , and contrasted with a singular and dangerous loveliness the rich development of her form . And still was Lucilla Volktman a stranger to all that savoured of the world ; the company of others of her sex and age never drew forth her emotions from their resting-place : -- `` And Nature said , a lovelier flower On earth was never sown * * * * * Myself will to my darling be Both law and impulse ; and with me The girl , in rock and plain , In earth and heaven , in glade and bower , Shall feel an overseeing power To kindle or restrain . The stars of midnight shall be dear To her ; and she shall lean her ear In many a secret place ; Where rivulets dance their wayward round , And beauty , born of murmuring sound , Shall pass into her face . '' WORDSWORTH . These lines have occurred to me again and again , as I looked on the face of her to whom I have applied them . And , remembering as I do its radiance and glory in her happier moments , I can scarcely persuade myself to notice the faults and heats of temper which at times dashed away all its lustre and gladness .