“But we shall look so well with long curls in the evening,” she said, half appealing to her sister, who was standing at the window with some intricate piece of work. “What a pity one cannot have curls without curl-papers.” “They are dearly bought if you are obliged to wear your hair twisted up in that manner all day,” said Hamilton. “I thought Englishwomen very often had long curls.” “So they have—but they never appear in a drawing-room with curl-papers.” “They certainly are very unbecoming,” said Crescenz, again inspecting herself in the glass. “I have a great mind to arrange my braids again. After all, my hair will perhaps fall out of curl during the first waltz. You know, Hildegarde, at the examinations I was obliged to fasten up the curls with a comb?” “Yes, but I remember the curls became you extremely——” “Hildegarde,” whispered Crescenz, coming close to her sister, “you know Mr. Hamilton cannot go to the ball, and if he thinks the curl-papers so very ugly——” “I should think Major Stultz’s opinion of more consequence to you,” answered Hildegarde; “and,” she added loud enough to be heard, “you know if Mr. Hamilton dislike so much seeing curl-papers, he has only to avoid looking at us for the remainder of the day.” Hamilton closed his book, looked out of the window at the thickly-falling snow, and then left the room. Crescenz immediately exclaimed, “Oh, Hildegarde, you have offended him! How can you be so unkind?” “Is it unkind to tell him not to look at us for a few hours?” Hildegarde asked, laughing. “You are so unnecessarily rude to him sometimes—yesterday evening, for instance, you scarcely answered him when he spoke to you.” “Because I was occupied with my father. I hope you have no objection to my preferring his conversation to Mr. Hamilton’s!” “But you were only talking about the opera to papa, who would have been very glad if you had allowed him to hear what Mr. Hamilton was telling Lina Berger about a picnic party on the Thames. Lina says he is the most fascinating young man she ever met, not even excepting Theodor Biedermann!” “And Mr. Hamilton will tell you, if you ask him, that Madame Berger is the most fascinating young woman he ever met with, not even excepting Crescenz Rosenberg.” “Oh, dear; I forgot to tell you that Major Stultz was quite mistaken. Lina explained everything before she left yesterday evening. Mr. Hamilton only went to hear her play waltzes!” Hildegarde shook her head incredulously. “You do not believe her?” “No.” “Well, I do; and I will manage to find out from Mr. Hamilton the whole truth.” “Don’t attempt anything of the kind, Crescenz; you will only make yourself ridiculous.” “We shall see,” said Crescenz, nodding her head as she left the room.