“Oh, why,” cried Hildegarde, with all her natural vehemence of manner, “why is there no sacrifice that I can make to convince you that you are mistaken! There is none I would not make, provided it were not injurious to you.”
Hamilton shook his head and turned away.
“You do not believe me? Try me—ask any proof—anything.”
He started from his seat, walked to the window, threw it wide open, and leaned as far out as he could in the night air.
All this was too much for Hildegarde, her efforts had been great to conceal her feelings, and she perceived she had been misunderstood; her sincere desire to act magnanimously had been treated with contempt; Hamilton, whom she had learned to trust without reserve or examination, was displeased, angry with her, perhaps. Perplexed, worried, and wearied, she did at length, what it would have been better had she done half an hour before: she covered her face with her handkerchief, and burst into tears.
The moment Hamilton turned round and perceived that she was crying as heartily as could be desired of any girl of her age, he forgot his anger at her unexpected opposition to his wishes, and rushing towards her, commenced an incoherent succession of excuses, entreaties, and explanations. It would have been difficult for a third person to have known what he meant; Hildegarde, however, seemed to understand him perfectly. In a short time she began to look up, and smile again, and in about a quarter of an hour they were discussing their future plans in the most amicable manner imaginable. Once more Hamilton had recourse to the pen and paper, but this time it was to make a sketch of the peasant’s house near Hohenfels, which was to be their home two years hence. He would write to the Z—s about it directly, or go to them; that would be better still!
No; Hildegarde thought it would be wiser to wait until he could purchase.
“We shall have cows, and calves, and all those sort of things, I suppose?” said Hamilton.
“I should think so,” replied Hildegarde, very gravely.
“I wonder shall we be able to keep a pair of horses?” said Hamilton.