“Not always,” said Hamilton, “for brides generally shed tears and infect the bridesmaids, and the mamma half faints, and the papa is agitated, and when the bridal party leave, the house is immensely dull, until it fill with new people again. Altogether, a wedding is a very deadly-lively festivity, excepting to the two principal actors.”
“I will prove the contrary,” said Madame Rosenberg, “you shall see how gay our wedding will be—that is, Crescenz’s! Did I tell you that it must be deferred until the carnival?”
“Not a word—I thought it was to take place before Christmas.”
“Marriages are seldom or never celebrated before Advent,” said Madame Rosenberg, “but at all events, Major Stultz’s sister has died suddenly, and he must leave for Nuremberg to-morrow.”
“I am sorry he has lost his sister,” said Hamilton, compassionately.
“Why, in fact, the loss is rather a gain,” said Madame Rosenberg. “He knew very little about her—she was unmarried, rich, and stingy—always on the point of making a fool of herself by marrying some young student or officer. Now the Major quietly inherits all her property—a very pretty addition to what he already has. I told Crescenz yesterday evening that she had drawn a greater prize than she expected.”
“And what did she say?”
“Why, not much, but she looked exceedingly pleased—her father has told me since that he thinks she is glad that her marriage is put off, and does not care in the least about the money, of which she has not yet learned the value. This may be partly true—Crescenz may have no objection to a delay, but she is now quite satisfied with the Major, and has no wish whatever to break off her engagement. Count Raimund has been of great use to her!”
“How do you mean?” asked Hamilton surprised.
“Why, his unpardonable negligence towards Marie de Hoffmann forms a fine contrast to the Major’s attention and handsome presents. Crescenz is very childish, but she has perceived the difference, nevertheless, and I have not neglected the opportunity to tell her that all young men are careless lovers, and still more careless husbands, and that I am sure she will be much happier when she is married than Marie.”