“I cannot,” said Hamilton, “see any greater impropriety in your passing a day or two in a crowded steamboat, than at a hotel along with me—rather less, perhaps, but I deny the impropriety altogether, when I take into consideration that I have been one of your family for the last year, and that you have learned so completely to consider me a friend—almost a relation.”
“That is true,” said Hildegarde, “but still——”
“Then,” continued Hamilton, “you cannot have an answer to your letter for three days at least—we shall be back just in time to receive it. Whether we pass to-morrow night at Cologne or Mayence, is quite unimportant, and I should like to show you the Rhine scenery. Let it be hereafter associated in your mind with your recollections of me!”
This last sentence was pronounced half pathetically, half beseechingly, and Hildegarde made no further opposition to a plan which accorded but too well with her own inclinations.
We will spare our readers the description of the impression made on her by the Rheingeau, Johannisberg, the Lurlei, Coblentz, Rolandseck, the Drachenfels, etc., etc., etc.
“What a pretty room!” said Hildegarde to Hamilton, who had followed her up the stairs of the Hôtel Bellevue at Deutz. “What a pretty room! We have a complete view of the Rhine, and quite overlook the garden. I really should like to stay here a week—if I dared.”
“I have no objection,” said Hamilton, laughing, “though I have just heard there are so many princes and serene highnesses in the house that I must sleep on the sofa in this room, if you have no objection; for only this and the bedroom adjoining are to be had.”
The waiter entered the room just at this moment to inquire if M. and Madame would sup there, or at the table d’hôte.
“Here,” said Hamilton, and he blushed deeply, as he turned to Hildegarde, who was sitting on the window stool, but no longer looking at the Rhine, or into the garden—she had fixed her eyes on the door as the waiter closed it, and with parted lips and slightly contracted brows, seemed expecting to hear more.
“You look quite shocked at that man’s stupid mistake,” said Hamilton, with affected carelessness.