“Oh, do not say that,” cried Hamilton; “you are only joking, I am sure, for you have no inclination that way, but your sister Crescenz——”
“My sister Crescenz knew nothing of your propensities that way at Seon, and, therefore, I blame your conduct towards her. Your love, if you ever felt any, was pardonable; people cannot help that, I believe—but your endeavours to make her dislike Major Stultz were quite unpardonable.”
“I acknowledge it,” said Hamilton, gravely, “and regret it.”
“That fault you were able in a measure to repair,” continued Hildegarde, “but, perhaps, you are not aware that you have been the cause of frequent altercations between me and my sister—and that almost total estrangement has taken place between us in consequence.”
“And is that my fault, too?” asked Hamilton.
“I don’t know,” she replied, sorrowfully. “Before we became acquainted with you, we never had the most trifling difference of opinion—and now we never think alike, and all confidence is at an end!”
“You take the matter too seriously,” said Hamilton; “I am convinced your sister is not aware of your estrangement.”
“I am afraid you are mistaken——” began Hildegarde, but at this moment Crescenz entered the room; she was dressed to go out, and asked her sister to accompany her.
“Let us be off,” said Hildegarde, “we have no time to lose.”
“May I go with you?” asked Hamilton.