“Ah! now I know—because I asked you for a candle, and as I did not tell mamma I could get one from you, you think that I have acted dishonourably? Perhaps you are right, so I shall not take it, but go to bed in the dark as a punishment. Are you satisfied?” “I ought to be, for you have not only confessed your fault, but imposed penance on yourself; and yet I must still say that you have not discovered the error to which I alluded.” “Then, now you must tell me, for I can think of nothing else.” “Is it possible,” said Hamilton, the colour as usual, mounting impetuously to his forehead, “is it possible that you are not aware of the impropriety of coming to my room at this hour?” “I—I—came for—for the candle,” stammered Hildegarde, in painful confusion. “I know you did; but you have remained here some time, and people——” “Let me go—let me go,” she cried, impatiently pushing back the hand which he had placed on the lock of the door in order to have time to add a few words. “Let me go; I desire—I insist.” He drew back, and she rushed past him into the dark passage without turning round or stopping until she reached the door of her room. He merely waited until she entered, and then once more sat down to write. --------------------- CHAPTER XVI. THE AU FAIR, AND THE SUPPER AT THE BREWERY. “WILL you go with us to the Au fair?” said Madame Rosenberg to Hamilton, the next day, after dinner. “Of course, but what is the Au? I never heard of it?” “One of the suburbs—at the other side of the Isar. There is a beautiful Gothic church there, which you can look at while I buy ticking to make Crescenz a mattress.” “When do we set out?” “The sooner the better, for the Major has proposed a party to the Stuberwoll Brewery afterwards; we are to sup there.” “At the brewery?” “Yes; the Major says the beer is excellent, and the roast geese delicious; Rosenberg enjoys the idea, of all things; he has a passion for roast goose!” “Oh, what fun!” cried Gustavus, jumping about the room. “Mamma has promised to take me with her. It is a pity that Fritz has gone to grandpapa.” “And may I go too?” asked Peppy. “You are too young,” replied his brother, demurely; “you cannot walk so far.” “I can, I can,” cried Peppy, commencing a roar. “Hush,” said Madame Rosenberg; “what is the child crying about?” “Peppy wishes to go with us, mamma,” said Crescenz; “I will take charge of him, if you have no objection.” “You will probably have to carry him half the way home; but you may do as you please,” replied her mother with a smile of satisfaction strangely in contradiction to her words. “Off, and get ready, all of you.” There was a joyous and noisy rush down the passage, while Madame Rosenberg, turning to Hamilton, observed: “A very good girl is Crescenz. She shall not be a loser for liking my boys, that is certain.”