“Not forever,” said Hamilton.
“I am ashamed to think how easily I allowed myself to imagine that I ought to follow this Baroness Waldorf to Mayence, still more so to think how soon I stifled my scruples about coming here—and so effectually, too, that the whole obvious impropriety never struck me until this evening, when the waiter——”
“Was guilty of the horrible supposition that you were my wife! Would that be so dreadful?” asked Hamilton.
“The waiter showed me by this simple remark,” she continued, without noticing his interruption, “that I ought never to have been with you as I have been under any other circumstances, and I felt condemned at once. I must return home to my step-mother.”
“Perhaps for a couple of years, it would be the best thing you could do,” said Hamilton.
“To my step-mother or—to Mademoiselle Hortense?” she said, musingly, as she seated herself on a chair, and unconsciously moved it towards him. “Of course I have given up all idea of going to the Baroness Waldorf.”
“I am glad to hear it. I never liked the plan.”
“And I am so sorry to be obliged to give it up!”
“Do not regret it—it would not have answered. I never saw anyone for whom the situation of governess was less eligible, notwithstanding your excellent education and extraordinary talent for languages.”
“Eligible!” repeated Hildegarde. “You are right. I am no longer eligible—I am no longer fit to direct the education of—of any girl!”