“Cart-horses? Perhaps we may,” answered Hildegarde, merrily.
“No; but seriously, Hildegarde, I should like to know how many servants we shall have!”
“Very few, I suspect,” said Hildegarde, “and therefore, directly I return to my mother, I shall endeavour to learn to be really useful.”
“But,” said Hamilton, “but these domestic details, which were so disgusting to you—these vulgar cares——”
“All, all will now be full of interest,” said Hildegarde, laughing; “I really feel as if I could even learn to cook!”
“No, no; I do not wish that, we shall certainly have a cook! A. Z. seemed to think we could get on quite comfortably if we lived in the country! I shall not at all mind going out with the plough if it be necessary, and you—you can spin, you know; nothing I admire so much as a graceful figure at a spinning-wheel; you shall have one made of ebony, and—but can you spin?”
“Not yet, but I can easily learn, and in time, I dare say, we shall have a whole press full of linen.”
“Oh, I am sure we shall get on famously; the Z—s are not at all rich—rather poor, I believe, and they are so happy, and really live so respectably—they will be our neighbours, and I am sure you will like them.”
“I remember, I rather liked her at Seon, because she lent me books,” observed Hildegarde.
“They will be society for us—that is, if we ever want any. Baron Z— is very cheerful, and his wife is really a very sensible woman. She understands housekeeping, and soap-making, and all that sort of thing, and will be of great use to you, I am sure. Then I shall rent half their alp, and send up our cows there in summer, and then we shall go to look after them, and make little parties with the Z—s. I must tell you all about that.”