“No chance of a change,” he answered; “the barometer is still falling, and it will not clear up until there is snow on the mountain tops, most probably.”
“That is the only disagreeable thing in a mountainous country,” observed A. Z., turning to Hamilton. “When it begins to rain, it never knows how or when to stop. I am sorry, on your account, that the fine weather has not lasted a little longer; but to-morrow we shall have a box of new books, and perhaps you may find something to interest you among them.”
“I am sure,” said Hamilton, “that you will agree with me in thinking that I ought not delay my return to Munich even a day longer, now that I have quite decided on my future plans. I wish, if possible, to prevent Hildegarde from going to Frankfort, where that Mademoiselle Hortense intended to send her.”
“I scarcely know what I ought to say,” replied A. Z. “It is not to be expected that you will remain here listening to my long stories and the rain pattering against the windows, when you have a good excuse for leaving.”
“A reason—not an excuse,” said Hamilton.
“Well then,” said A. Z., as she closed the window, “though I do not ask you to give me a lock of your hair, I feel so much interested in your affairs, that I hope you will ‘Trust me, and let me know your love’s success,’ in a few lines which you may find time to write to me after you have reached home.”
CHAPTER XLIII.
ANOTHER KIND OF DISCOURSE.
Twenty-four hours afterwards, Hamilton was in Munich on his way to Major Stultz’s. He had not yet taken leave of Crescenz, and hoped, when ostensibly doing so, to obtain from her some information about her sister’s plans and prospects. His old acquaintance, Walburg, was delighted to see him, informed him that “her mistress was at home, quite alone—the Major had gone to sup with some officers who had been in Russia with him;” and while speaking, she threw open the drawing-room door. Crescenz turned round, and then, with a blush of pleasure, rose quickly and advanced towards Hamilton, exclaiming, “I knew you would not leave Bavaria without coming to see me! I said so to Blazius, and to Hildegarde too!”
“So you have spent another day at the Iron Works, and can tell me how they all are.”