Partly from pique, partly because he was amused, Hamilton devoted himself altogether to Madame Berger for the rest of the evening. He drew his chair beside hers after supper, and they continued together in the little dark parlor, even after all the family had withdrawn to enjoy the long warm July evening in the garden.
It was almost night when Crescenz came timidly into the room, and in an embarrassed manner said that she was too much afraid of Mr. Hamilton’s horses to drive home with him, and that Mr. Eisenmann had offered his carriage——
“His cart, my dear, you mean,” said Madame Berger, interrupting her, without moving a feature of her face. “I recommend you to have a few bars of iron laid at the back, the horses will be all the quieter; they are accustomed to the sound, you know.”
“I—I thought,” said Crescenz, “that you would, perhaps, prefer going home with me instead——”
“Oh, not at all, my dear; I would not separate you and Major Stultz for the world; besides, I am not in the least afraid either of Mr. Hamilton or his horses. You see,” she added, turning to Hamilton, “I take it for granted that you will leave me at home.”
“Of course. I am only sorry,” said Hamilton to Crescenz, “that you will not go with us; I can almost promise that the horses will be quieter than in the morning.”
“Thank you,” said Crescenz, rather stiffly, “but even if they were I should now decline your offer, as Lina has shown so plainly that she does not wish for my company, or, indeed, for anyone’s excepting yours.”
“I am overpowered at the severity of your remarks,” cried Madame Berger, catching her arm, with a light laugh; “how fortunate that the darkness hides my blushes. I say, Cressy,” she added, in a lower voice, “is it for yourself or for Hildegarde that you have entered the lists?”
“I—I—don’t understand you,” said Crescenz, releasing her arm, and hurrying out of the room.
“Order your carriage,” said Madame Berger, turning back for a moment to Hamilton: “order your carriage as soon as possible, or I shall get a lecture from Madame Rosenberg, and I am not in a humour for anything of the kind just now.”