“And what may that be?”
Agnes rose playfully from her seat, with an appearance of extreme impatience, and exclaimed, while she looked around her, as if seeking someone else—
“My dear creature! any other time; but you see—just now, in fact, I am particularly engaged!”
Hamilton and Zedwitz laughed.
“You little actress!” exclaimed the latter, drawing her towards him, and making her again sit down on the bench beside him. “I acknowledge that I have neglected you unpardonably, Agnes; but you have promised to forgive me, and I now require your assistance—come, tell me, what shall I do?”
“You really wish to marry this Hildegarde?”
“Most undoubtedly, if I can; but you know I am wholly in my father’s power, and she has no fortune whatever.”
“The case seems rather hopeless at present,” said Agnes, seriously. “Have you spoken to her? Would she wait a few years?”
“I have not spoken to her,” he answered, impatiently; “and as to waiting two or three years, I would rather give up the idea at once.”
“That would indeed be the wisest thing you could do,” cried his sister, eagerly; “for you may expect the strongest opposition both from papa and mamma. Do not join this alp party; you can easily find some excuse; and let us all go to Hohenfels together before these Rosenbergs return here.”