. . . .She was not yet 13 but a figure could be traced still with the tightly wrapped stola
around her body and seeing bare skin of her slender arms jutting out was a fine picture. Her sleek hair might descend to her hips if it weren't caught by the fold in her tunic about her neck, which was usually left bare to the upper torso. She was a master of many languages and could compose verse in three. Though a descendent from the Gallic rich house, she spoke Latin freely and with no accent. And for being young she did not comport in a manner that afflicted most of her kind. Given to eating freely, her frame was plump and delicate and very desirable. Throughout the day she has never out of her command five willing subservients attending, supplied by her rich husband, but is too meek to enjoy their service. She was young, but impressed with prodigy of human understanding. This innate wisdom enabled her to deliver lines of wit to her aggressors and deliver them punctually. No lumber filled her head; she did not romanticize as so used to doing girls her age but all that role was fulfilled by her dear Marcus Tullius who requited her love with all the passion that his heart could bear. To each was the other more beautiful than the one could have imagined and Marcus was in every way worthy of receiving Julia's affection but for Julia's husband who did not take well to sharing his wife with other men. Marcus's heart swelled of desire for Julia every moment but the art of persuasion did not come naturally to him for he was as poor for words as he was rich in love, possessing none of the talents that Julia had. When he spoke he spoke plainly and from the heart. . . . He was not an imposing figure but fights the enemy fearlessly without regard to himself. . . .
