1.Society of Arts.
1.Society of Arts.
“There is some sense in such a picture as that,” answered Major Stultz. “I went two or three times to see it, and could scarcely avoid stretching out my hand to feel if it were not some deception.”
“A judicious management of reflected lights produces extraordinary effect in the representation of fluids,” observed Mr. Schmearer.
A pause ensued. Major Stultz did not seem disposed to discuss reflected lights; the picture had evidently had no value for him excepting as a good representation of a glass of bock; and his attention was now directed towards Hildegarde, whose flushed cheeks and pouting lips rather heightened than detracted from her beauty.
“Perhaps you would like to see the newspapers, madame?” he asked, politely offering the latest arrived to her step-mother.
“Thank you; I never read newspapers, though I join some acquaintances in taking theEilbote, on condition that it comes to us last of all, and then we can keep the paper for cleaning the looking-glasses and windows.”
“There are, however, sometimes very pretty stories and charades in theEilbote. Young ladies like such things,” he observed, glancing significantly towards Hildegarde.
“My daughters must read nothing but French, and I have subscribed to a library for them. Their French has occupied more than half their lives at school, and now I intend them to teach the boys.”
“Ishould have no sort of objection to learn French from such an instructress,” said the Major, gallantly.
“Indeed, I don’t think anyone will ever learn much from her,” said Madame Rosenberg, severely; “but her sister Crescenz is a good girl, and the children are very fond of her.”
“You have two daughters!” exclaimed the Major.
“Step-daughters,” she replied, dryly.
“That I took for granted,” he said, bowing, as if he intended to be very civil. “The young ladies will be of great use to you in the housekeeping.”
“That is exactly what has been neglected in their education; if they could keep a house as well as they can speak French, I should be satisfied. When we return to Munich, they must both learn cookery. I intend afterwards to give the children to one and the housekeeping to the other, alternately.”
“You will prepare the young ladies so well for their destination that I suspect they will not remain long unmarried!”
“There’s not much chance of that! Husbands are not so easily found for portionless daughters!” replied Madame Rosenberg, facetiously; “however, I am quite ready to give my consent, should anything good offer.”
Hamilton looked at Hildegarde to see what impression this conversation had made on her. She had turned away as much as possible from the speakers, and with her head bent down seemed to watch intently the bursting of the bubbles in a glass of beer. Had it been her sister, he would have thought she had chosen the occupation to conceal her embarrassment—but embarrassment was not Hildegarde’s predominant feeling; her compressed lips and quick breathing denoted suppressed anger, which amounted to rage, as her step-mother in direct terms asked Major Stultz if he were married, and received for answer that he was “a bachelor, at her service.” With a sudden jerk, the glass was prostrated on the table, and before Hamilton could raise his arm its contents were deposited in the sleeve of his coat.
“Pardon mille-fois!” cried Hildegarde, looking really sorry for what had occurred.
“You irritable, awkward girl!” commenced her mother; but for some undoubtedly excellent reason, she suddenly changed her manner, and added—“You had better go to bed, child; I see you have not yet recovered from the recent alarm in the church.”
Hildegarde rose quickly from her chair, and with a slight and somewhat haughty obeisance to the company, left the room in silence. Madame Rosenberg continued volubly to excuse her to Hamilton, and, what he thought quite unnecessary, to Major Stultz also!
The Major listened with complacence; but Hamilton’s wet shirt-sleeve induced him to finish his supper as quickly as possible and wish the company good-night.