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The next day, as we were leaving the dinner-table, Mr. Langenau paused a few moments by Sophie, in the hall, and talked with her about the boys. "Charley gets on very well with his German," he observed, "but Benny doesn't make much progress. He is too young to study much, and acquires chiefly by the ear.
But before she went, Charlotte, who was really good-natured with all her sharpness and self-will, went into the library to speak to Mr. Langenau, and to show she did not resent the noonday slight, whatever that had been. "Do go and see what you can do for Mr. Langenau. He is really very far from well. His tea stands there, and he hasn't taken anything to eat.
Richard was waiting for me at the foot of the stairs, and accompanied me silently to the wagon, which stood at the door. As we passed the parlor I could see, on the east piazza, Mr. Langenau and Charlotte already at their books. Both were so engrossed that they did not look up as we went through the hall. For that, Richard, poor fellow! had to suffer. I was too unreasonable to comprehend that Mr.
Langenau and Richard were both present, and both watching me; it was impossible to please either. I ordered the horses when I was down at the stables; I think the afternoon is going to be fine."
Langenau is coming down to-day," said Charlotte Benson in a stage-whisper, as we took our places at the table, a week after this. "I met him in the hall about an hour ago, looking like a ghost, and he told me he was coming down to dinner." "Vraiment," said Sophie, looking a little disconcerted. "Well, he shall have Charley's place. Charley isn't coming."
Hollenbeck, a little stiffly. "I think Mr. Langenau is a gentleman." But at this moment his step was heard in the hall below, and there was an end put to the conversation. Last night, when some one spoke his name, From my swift blood that went and came A thousand little shafts of flame Were shivered in my narrow frame. Tennyson.
Hollenbeck at this moment began to find some fault with Benny's gloves, and leaning down, talked very obligingly and earnestly with him, while she fastened the gloves upon his hands. Mr. Langenau took the occasion, as it was intended he should take it, and said rather low, "You will not refuse to see me a few moments this evening, that I may explain something to you?"
It is frightful at seventeen to have no one to tell your troubles to. At the gate Benny was just grumbling about getting out to open it, when Mr. Langenau appeared, and held it open for us. He was dressed in a flannel suit which he wore for walking. After he closed the gate, he came up beside the carriage, as Mrs. Hollenbeck very kindly invited him to do, by driving slowly.
The windows were darkened, and the room was cleared of visitors. Langenau called after me rather imperiously, "Miss d'Estrée Miss Pauline " It had been a stormy session, and I turned back with misgivings. Sophie shrugged her shoulders and went away toward the dining-room. "What are you going away for, may I ask?" he said, as I appeared before him humbly.
"You looked as if you were having such a nice time, I thought I'd like to come." "Well, we were," said Kilian, with a laugh, and then we drove on rapidly. At the tea-table Mr. Langenau said to Sophie as he rose to go away: "Mrs. Hollenbeck, if there is any service I can render you this evening at the piano, I shall be very glad if you will let me know." Mrs.
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