“Not in the least.”
“Put away that cushion, and don’t look as if you were getting tired.”
“But I thought you were going to question me?”
“No, I am afraid.”
“Well, then I must question you,” said Hamilton, laughing. “Why may I not look at Mademoiselle Rosenberg, and why may I not look at the door, if it amuse me?”
“You may not look at the door, because in so doing you turn your back to me, which is not civil,” she replied readily.
“Very well answered; but now tell me why I may not look at Mademoiselle Rosenberg?”
“Oh, you may look at her, certainly; but—but—but—the expression of your face was not as if you disliked her.”
“And why should I dislike her?”
“I don’t know, indeed—only Crescenz told me that you often quarrelled with her; and as Hildegarde knows no medium, she most probably hates you with all her soul. You have no idea of the intensity of her likings and dislikings!”