“You don’t mean to leave us, Cressy?” exclaimed Madame Berger, surprised.
“I am going to tell mamma that you are here,” she replied, stiffly.
“Oh, my dear creature, she has heard from Walburg long ago. She is engaged with the children, or counting linen, or something of that sort. Stay here like a love, and play propriety.”
“But I don’t choose to play propriety,” said Crescenz, angrily, as she left the room.
Madame Berger looked amazed for a moment, and then burst into a fit of laughter. “I do believe the child is jealous!” she exclaimed. “How ridiculous! how amusing! I wish it were Hildegarde—I would give—what would I not give to make her jealous for half an hour! It would be sublime! Theodor could assist me if he chose.”
“You think she likes him?” said Hamilton.
“He says not, but I can discover no other person. Can you believe that she cares for no one?”
“She cares a great deal for her father?” answered Hamilton.
“Ah, bah—a person of her violent temperament must have a grande passion before this time.”
“I have not lately seen anything like violence,” said Hamilton.