'You forget, dear cousin, that I was engaged when in my cradle or berceaunette.'
Then the two girls, now nearly half-undressed, laughed as only young and happy girls can laugh, and with two snowy arms upheld, and dimpled elbows shown, Ernestine went on brushing out that thick, dark silky hair of hers.
'I declare, Herminia, I do think I am pretty,' said she, suddenly pausing and surveying herself in her laced night-robe in the long cheval glass.
'You are too beautiful not to be quite aware of it,' replied Herminia.
'I wonder if Carl Pierrepont admired me?'
'Why?'
'Because—I should like him to do so.'
'Who could fail to admire you?' responded the happy Herminia.
'How sweetly he sang that song with me.'
'Heinrich tells me he is poor,' was the suggestive remark of Herminia.