“I am just at the age to act more from impulse than reason, and I consider you too much my friend not to speak candidly to you. If Major Stultz were not so insufferably jealous, you could make me over to Crescenz—my regard for her is really of the most blameless description, and will never be otherwise.”
“Oh, the Major would never listen to such a proposal.”
“Then I have no alternative but Havard’s—Havard’s or your house,” he continued, taking her large hard hand and pressing it fervently; “dear Madame Rosenberg, let me go with you; I have a sort of presentiment that it is the only means of keeping me out of mischief; besides, I can ride or drive into Munich two or three times a week.”
“But I have no room for you,” she cried, with a look of distress; for the earnestness of his manner had begun to move her.
“You must make room for me,” urged Hamilton.
“And as to your horses and Hans——”
“Oh, I can easily find quarters for them in the neighbourhood.”
“You will have to sleep in a room without a stove——”
“I don’t want a stove in summer.”
“Well, then,” she said hesitatingly, “if you think that you can be satisfied with the accommodation which I have at my disposal, you can accompany us to the country. Should our manner of living, or what I fear more, my father, not suit you, you can leave us, you know; we will part friends at all events.”