“I shall find out, you may depend upon it.” “I defy you,” cried Hamilton, laughing; but the next moment, heartily regretting his foolish boast, he thought for a moment of telling him his purpose, but the fear of compromising Crescenz deterred him, and soon afterwards perceiving him earnestly engaged in conversation with Hildegarde, he hoped he would forget all about the matter. After supper, Madame Rosenberg, as usual, produced her knitting, and Hamilton began a listless sort of conversation with her, which lasted until her daughter had left the room; it suddenly, however, took a turn which rendered it to Hamilton interesting in the extreme. She had, according to her own account, a most particular fancy for all Englishmen. They were such agreeable companions; gave no trouble at all; she had now reason to know, for she had had Englishmen lodging in her house for the last three years. She had two furnished rooms, which she always let, and from experience she now knew that Englishmen were in every respect desirable lodgers. Need it be said that “on this hint” Hamilton had spoken, and that in a very short time an arrangement for board and lodging was concluded to their mutual satisfaction. It was then that she launched into praises of his nation, ending with the remark that nothing would induce her, now that her step-daughters were at home, to receive any but Englishmen under her roof. “They were accustomed to domestic life, to female society, and did not think it necessary to talk nonsense to every girl with whom they happened to be five minutes alone. Did he know Mr. Smith?” Hamilton believed he knew two or three Smiths. “I mean a Mr. Howard Seymour Smyth.” “No;” Hamilton knew more Howards and Seymours than Smiths, he was happy in the consciousness. “Perhaps you know Captain Black?” “I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance.” “He was a most delightful person; lodged with us last year; dined, however, at Havard’s _table d’hôte_. You will be the first who has actually become a member of the family, as I may say. I wonder what Rosenberg will think of the arrangement?” “May I beg of you to write to him to-morrow on the subject, as I have already given a sort of commission to the Baroness Z— and——” “Oh, dear! there’s no necessity for writing; I always arrange these things alone; you have nothing whatever to do with him!” “In that case I may consider the affair as arranged,” said Hamilton, rising and going towards the side-table for his candle. She rose, too, and they ascended the stairs together. “I shall do everything in my power to make you comfortable and at home in our house,” she said, when wishing him good-night.