Raimund, however, followed, and, before he turned to descend, gently took her hand and kissed it, with a mingled expression of respect and admiration.
Hamilton scarcely waited for him to be out of hearing, before he observed: “This, I suppose, is the most approved manner for cousins German.”
“It is less remarkable than the manners of cousins English,” replied Hildegarde. “I have not forgotten your meeting with yours at Salzburg.”
“That was after a separation of several months, and——”
“Yes; but it was something more than hand kissing, which means nothing at all, you know, and, I hear, is rather going out of fashion.”
“And yet it is a pleasant fashion,” said Hamilton. “I never kissed anyone’s hand, but should have no objection to make a beginning now.”
Hildegarde held out her hand without a moment’s hesitation.
“Not that one,” said Hamilton, hesitating; “your cousin’s kiss is still upon it.”
The door opened suddenly, and she ran laughingly past him towards the drawing-room, just in time to enter it before her mother.
A few minutes after, they were in the street, Hildegarde, as usual, close to her father’s elbow, but without taking his arm. Hamilton at first imagined Mr. Rosenberg’s presence would be a restraint, but he found, on the contrary, that he encouraged Hildegarde to talk and give her opinion freely, enjoying even nonsense when it came from her lips, and laughing with a heartiness which Hamilton had imagined impossible for a person who had always appeared so calm and reserved. Everything and everybody who passed afforded amusement; it was in vain Madame Rosenberg called to order; the laugh was partly stifled for a moment, to be renewed the next with double zest. Hamilton was extremely surprised, and began to think he should never be able to understand her character, and yet the simple fact was merely, that, being naturally gay, she only required the certainty of being able to please to induce her to yield to her innate inclination. She was not herself aware of this, for, on Hamilton’s making some remark to express his surprise, she said: “She believed she was only by degrees getting over the restraint of her school habits, all conversation being forbidden there, excepting during the recreation hours.”