“I am sure, Crescenz,” said Madame Berger, “I am sure you are thinking what sort of purse you will make for Major Stultz this Christmas! You cannot allow him in future to use leather. I can teach you to make a new kind of purse, which is very strong and pretty.”
“Oh, pray do!” cried Crescenz, starting up; “you know I like making purses, of all things. When will you begin it for me?”
“To-morrow, if you like. I say, Cressy,” continued Madame Berger, in a whisper, “what makes Hildegarde so horribly savage this evening?”
“I did not observe it.”
“She is most particularly disagreeable, I can assure you. I attempted some most innocent badinage about Mr. Hamilton, and she——”
“Oh, about him you must not jest; she hates him so excessively——”
“Not a bit of it—and he does not hate her either.”
“You don’t say so?”
“I say so, and think so; and you will see that I am right. Why, he already makes as many excuses as your father for her ill-temper. If you had only heard him!”
“I did not think Hildegarde capable of playing double,” cried Crescenz, with emotion.