“Most certainly not,” repeated Madame Rosenberg, seriously. “I know few people of whom I think so highly; I always liked my English lodgers, and was sorry when they left me; but I feel as if you were a part of our family. You must observe that I talk to you and consult you about all our affairs a hundred times more than Major Stultz, who is actually about to become my son-in-law!” “I am exceedingly flattered by your good opinion,” said Hamilton, “and am greatly relieved to find you do not suspect me to be this false friend, followed by ill-omened cards!” “Set your mind at rest; this person seems in some way related to our family, and has light hair.” “And you can see all this in these cards!” said Hamilton, laughing. “Look here, and I will explain it easily,” said Madame Rosenberg. “You see this ace is our house——” “_Is_ that an ace?” said Hamilton. “The German cards are as difficult to learn as the handwriting. I do not know a single one of these cards.” “They are easily learned. These are acorns, and these bells; these trifles, and these hearts.” “But this ace of hearts is double; and what is the meaning of the basket of flowers and the blinded cupid?” “Only for ornament.” “This, then, I suppose, is the king of hearts; but where is the queen?” “This, I believe, answers to your queen.” “What! the man leaning on his sword?” “I see you do not want to learn——” “And yet I should rather like to know what these acorns and bells are intended to represent,” said Hamilton. “Crescenz, come here and explain in French,” cried Madame Rosenberg. Crescenz came most willingly. In a few minutes Hamilton imagined he knew the cards, and began to play some childish game which Crescenz taught him; they played for six-kreutzer pieces, and, as he continually mistook the cards, in the course of half an hour he had lost some florins. Crescenz’s exclamation of delight and triumph caused Madame Rosenberg at last to look round, and no sooner did she perceive how matters stood, than she took the money which Crescenz had won, returned it to Hamilton, notwithstanding all his protestations; and, taking some red and white counters out of her work-table drawer, divided them equally between them, while she observed that they might fancy them florins if they wished,—“it would be much more proper for young people than really playing for money.” Crescenz did not know whether to be satisfied or vexed—but when her mother added a few words of reproach about her playing without her having the means of paying her debts, should she lose, she blushed deeply and stammered, “I—I have more than a florin pocket-money—and besides, Mr. Hamilton would have waited until Christmas, when papa always gives me a crown!” “Oh, certainly,” said Hamilton, laughing, “I could have waited until Christmas without the least inconvenience.” “I hope,” said Major Stultz, “that before Christmas, Crescenz will have made me her banker.”