'Alas!' after a pause, the former said, smiling.
'Herr Pierrepont scarcely took his gaze off you all the night; when you sang alone he seemed entranced, and when with you, in those duets, his voice became tender and tremulous.'
'Herminia, do you really think so, or do you jest?'
'I do not jest; hence my suggestion about his being poor, for that man is loving you at first sight.'
'Your own sudden happiness, and the revulsion of feeling consequent to the great dénouement of to-day, lead you to think so,' replied Ernestine, her smile brightening nevertheless, for she liked the idea.
'Nay, nay, his visit is to last some time; and time will prove that I am right,' persisted Herminia, twisting up her coils of golden brown hair.
Ernestine sat for a time toying with a velvet slipper half on and half off her pretty foot, and then suddenly she said—
'Oh, Herminia, how can such a man care for me?'
'Why not, cousin dear? who would not, or could not, fail to care for you?'
'But he seems so proud and cold, and so very English.'