“I hope you do not suspect me of being this false person?”
“Most certainly not,” repeated Madame Rosenberg, seriously. “I know few people of whom I think so highly; I always liked my English lodgers, and was sorry when they left me; but I feel as if you were a part of our family. You must observe that I talk to you and consult you about all our affairs a hundred times more than Major Stultz, who is actually about to become my son-in-law!”
“I am exceedingly flattered by your good opinion,” said Hamilton, “and am greatly relieved to find you do not suspect me to be this false friend, followed by ill-omened cards!”
“Set your mind at rest; this person seems in some way related to our family, and has light hair.”
“And you can see all this in these cards!” said Hamilton, laughing.
“Look here, and I will explain it easily,” said Madame Rosenberg. “You see this ace is our house——”
“Is that an ace?” said Hamilton. “The German cards are as difficult to learn as the handwriting. I do not know a single one of these cards.”
“They are easily learned. These are acorns, and these bells; these trifles, and these hearts.”
“But this ace of hearts is double; and what is the meaning of the basket of flowers and the blinded cupid?”
“Only for ornament.”