“Pshaw,” cried Hamilton, taking up his hat, and endeavouring to conceal his embarrassment, “I like you both and admire you both; but when Major Stultz was jealous this evening, I gave, of course, the preference to Hildegarde.” “Is this the very truth?” asked Crescenz. Her manner was unusually serious, but Hamilton was not in the habit of paying much attention to anything she said, and answered with a careless laugh, “What importance you attach to such a trifle!” “If you can laugh, I have indeed mistaken you!” “What _do_ you mean?” asked Hamilton, exceedingly bored. “At the beginning of our acquaintance,” said Crescenz, almost whispering, “Hildegarde said you were amusing yourself at my expense; this I am sure was not the case; but Major Stultz not only says that you never cared for me, but insists that you have openly acknowledged a preference for Hildegarde.” “And if this were true?” said Hamilton, twirling his hat on the end of his cane. “If it be—I—can—never trust any man again!” “A most excellent general rule, at all events; we are in fact not worthy of trust, and your sister says I am not better than others, you know!” “Is this your answer?” asked Crescenz. “If you will consider it one I shall be infinitely obliged to you, for I am really at a loss what to say.” “It is enough,” she said, turning away. “Stay!” cried Hamilton, perceiving at length that something unusual had occurred. “Stay—and tell me quickly what is the matter. What have you been saying to Major Stultz?” “He accused me of liking some—other—better than I liked him—and I did not deny it; he named you—and—and——” “I understand,” said Hamilton, quickly; “and he told you that you were slighted. Come, I will explain everything to him satisfactorily.” They entered the next room, but Major Stultz was no longer there. “He has gone to mamma!” cried Crescenz, clasping her hands, and then sitting down, she added, with a sort of desperate resignation, “I don’t care what happens now!” “But I do,” cried Hamilton. “I will not be the cause, however innocent, of separating you and Major Stultz. I see I must go to him this moment and take the whole blame on myself; if you afterwards refuse to fulfil your engagement with him, that is your affair. This must, however, be the very last time we ever speak on this subject. It seems I must pay dearly for my thoughtlessness; but it will be a lesson which I am not likely to forget as long as I live.”