“Oh, of course not—and still I must always have a very sincere regard for him—he, poor soul, is as desperate about me as ever! Heigho! I must confess, I half feared he would waver in his allegiance when I heard that he came here every day. Men are so fickle!” “Why, surely, you did not think that I——” “Oh, not at all, my dear—you are engaged, you know, so I never thought of _you_, but Hildegarde——” “I can tell you, Hildegarde would never think of _him_,” cried Crescenz, triumphantly. “Nor he of her, I assure you,” said Madame Berger; “he will scarcely allow her to be handsome!” “Well, to be sure!” said Crescenz. “That does surprise me. I never heard of anyone who did not think Hildegarde handsome!” “Beauty, my dear, is a matter of taste. Theodor does not deny her having regular features, but it is exactly that which he cannot admire; he says there is something statue-like in her whole appearance, a certain proud expression in the drawn-down corners of her mouth—in short, he said she was a person a man could admire, but never love. There is a great difference, as you will understand a few years hence.” “I should like to know,” said Crescenz, somewhat impatiently, “I should like to know if I shall be as much changed by marriage as you are, Lina! I am sure I hope not; for, instead of springing about or talking good-humouredly as you used to, you are always lecturing and calling me child, which, I must say, is very disagreeable. I shall soon be sixteen years old, and married too; and I won’t be called child any longer.” “I vow, Cressy, you have taken a lesson from your sister, and are working yourself into a passion. The Doctor says child to me very often, and I am not at all offended; but instead of quarrelling, you ought to try and amuse me, as I am your guest to-day. Where are Hildegarde and Mr. Hamilton?” “They are studying German with Mr. Biedermann.” “I know that already; but _where_ are they?” “In Mr. Hamilton’s room.” “Indeed! Oh, then, we may go there too, I suppose?” “Better not—they left this room on account of the interruptions; and mamma has desired me not to go there.” “Very proper as a general rule; but when I am here to chaperon you, the case is different.” “I don’t think I ought to go,” said Crescenz, drawing back. “Pshaw! nonsense! When Hildegarde is there, there can be no impropriety for us!” and as she spoke she drew the only half-reluctant Crescenz after her down the passage. “Are not the large rooms at the end his?” asked Madame Berger. “Yes; but indeed it is not right to interrupt them; I am sure mamma will be angry.” “Tell her I insisted on seeing Theodor,” replied Madame Berger, as she knocked loudly at the door, but received no permission to enter. “I told you they were too busy to receive visitors,” said Crescenz.