“Oh, we got on famously until we reached Seon; but from the moment Mademoiselle Crescenz saw her step-mother, her manner totally changed; so I concluded she intended to decline my acquaintance, now that I could be of no further use to her.” “Your conclusion proved how very little you know of German girls in her rank of life.” “Should one interpret these German girls by contraries?” “_Cela depend._” “Perhaps, then, her sister intends to be very civil to me—our acquaintance began by her calling me a fool; and I overheard her saying to her sister that I seemed to have an uncommonly good opinion of myself, and looked like an overgrown schoolboy.” “There is no possibility of mistaking such demonstrations,” said A. Z., smiling, and evidently controlling an inclination to laugh, extremely displeasing to Hamilton. “You seem,” he said, somewhat distrustfully, “you seem amused—perhaps at my expressing your thoughts in the words of another person.” “What I thought of you on your first appearance——” “I already know. You thought me a long-legged, bashful animal; at least you said so to Baron Z—.” “At that time I fancied I had a sort of right to criticise; and had you really proved to be John or Archy, as I had supposed, you might have often been favoured with equally flattering observations; I should have considered you a sort of relation, and you would, undoubtedly, have thought me a great bore. Now, the case is different, and I shall treat you with all possible respect; but you must allow me to laugh, and promise not to be offended at every idle word——” “Offended!—oh, no! I should be extremely delighted if you would act towards me as if I were John or Archy.” “You are too young to appreciate such treatment—and—I don’t feel disposed unnecessarily to undertake the part of mentor.” “You fear the task would prove too troublesome?” “Not exactly that—I rather like giving advice; but——” “You think I should do you no credit!” “I really do not know, nor do I mean to try. Your search for adventures may bring you into some embarrassments which may not always turn out so well as on the present occasion.” “My good fortune on the present occasion has been so extraordinary, that I shall tempt fate no further; my plan is formed. I shall spend the winter in Munich, studying German and the Germans. In the domestic circle of a private family——” “Where there are no boys?” asked A. Z. “As a proof of my deference to your opinion, I shall make no objection even to five boys; and also promise to avoid a widow with unmarried daughters.” “I have some hope of you now!” “Will you then be my mentor during my sojourn in Germany?” “No.” “But you said you liked giving advice?” “And so I do; it is, you know, the only thing that everybody is disposed to give, and nobody likes to take. Ask my advice, and I shall give it; although I know beforehand you will not make use of it.” “Just as much as either John or Archy.”