“I am surprised that you do not find yourself completely exhausted,” said Hamilton. “It would certainly be more natural, when one takes into consideration that you have not slept for three nights, or eaten anything for nearly three days!”
“And you also have passed three sleepless nights,” said Hildegarde, “and without the hopes and fears which made the want of rest imperceptible to me. I ought to have remembered that sooner.”
“I was not thinking of myself,” cried Hamilton. “And your hopes and fears,” he added, in a lower voice, “I have most truly participated. Will you never believe that your joys are my joys, your sorrows my sorrows?”
He waited in vain for an answer; Hildegarde leaned heavily on his arm, and breathed quickly; he at length caught a glimpse of her face, and was so shocked at the convulsive workings of her features that he beckoned to one of the numerous hackney coachmen returning from the churchyard, and silently placed his unresisting companion in the carriage. She sighed so deeply, and then gasped so fearfully for breath, that he let down all the windows, and experienced the most heart-felt pleasure when at length she burst into a passion of tears.
She wept unrestrainedly until they reached home, but, even on the stairs as they ascended, Hamilton perceived a return of her former unnaturally composed manner.
During the next day Madame Rosenberg was almost constantly surrounded by her friends and acquaintance. Towards evening Crescenz drew her sister aside, and whispered: “Oh, my dear Hildegarde, this is an irreparable loss for you!”
“Irreparable indeed!” said Hildegarde, moving her head dejectedly; “I wish it had pleased God to let me die instead of my father—few would have mourned for me!”
“I’m sure, dear, I don’t know what is to become of you now! I can’t bear to think of it, but I suppose you will have to apply to Mademoiselle Hortense to get you a situation as governess; you know she promised to do so whenever you wished it——”
“I know,” said Hildegarde, rubbing her forehead with her hand, and biting her under lip with an expression of great distress. “Let us talk about that some other time—I cannot think yet.”
“It was Lina Berger who talked about it; she said she was sure that mamma would not propose your remaining with her, and Major Stultz says that——”