It is steep -- permit that I lead you , mademoiselle ; '' Casimer offered his hand to Amy , and they began their winding way . As she took the hand , the girl blushed and half smiled , remembering the vaults and the baron . `` I like this better , '' she said to herself , as they climbed step by step , often pausing to rest in the embrasures of the loopholes , where the sun glanced in , the balmy wind blew , and vines peeped from without , making a pretty picture of the girl , as she sat with rosy color on her usually pale cheeks , brown curls fluttering about her forehead , laughing lips , and bright eyes full of pleasant changes . Leaning opposite in the narrow stairway , Casimer had time to study the little tableau in many lights , and in spite of the dark glasses , to convey warm glances of admiration , of which , however , the young coquette seemed utterly unconscious . Helen came leisurely after , and Hoffman followed with a telescope , wishing , as he went , that his countrywomen possessed such dainty feet as those going on before him , for which masculine iniquity he will be pardoned by all who have seen the foot of a German Fraulein . It was worth the long ascent , that wide-spread landscape basking in the August glow . Sitting on a fallen block of stone , while Casimer held a sun-umbrella over her , Amy had raptures at her ease ; while Helen sketched and asked questions of Hoffman , who stood beside her , watching her progress with interest . Once when , after repeated efforts to catch a curious effect of light and shade , she uttered an impatient little exclamation , Karl made a gesture as if to take the pencil and show her , but seemed to recollect himself and drew back with a hasty `` Pardon , mademoiselle . '' Helen glanced up and saw the expression of his face , which plainly betrayed that for a moment the gentleman had forgotten he was a courier . She was glad of it , for it was a daily trial to her to order this man about ; and following the womanly impulse , she smiled and offered the pencil , saying simply , -- `` I felt sure you understood it ; please show me . '' He did so , and a few masterly strokes gave the sketch what it needed . As he bent near her to do this Helen stole a glance at the grave , dark face , and suddenly a disturbed look dawned in the eyes fixed on the glossy black locks pushed off the courier 's forehead , for he had removed his hat when she spoke to him . He seemed to feel that something was amiss , shot a quick glance at her , returned the pencil and rose erect , with an almost defiant air , yet something of shame in his eye , as his lips moved as if to speak impetuously . But not a word did he utter , for Helen touched her forehead significantly , and said in a low tone , -- `` I am an artist ; let me recommend Vandyke brown , which is not affected by heat . '' Hoffman looked over his shoulder at the other pair , but Amy was making an ivy wreath for her hat , and the Pole pulling sprays for the absorbing work . Speaking rapidly , Karl said , with a peculiar blending of merriment , humility , and anxiety in his tone , -- `` Mademoiselle , you are quick to discover my disguise ; will you also be kind in concealing ? I have enemies as well as friends , whom I desire to escape : I would earn my bread unknown ; Monsieur le Major keeps my foolish secret ; may I hope for equal goodness from yourself ? '' `` You may , I do not forget that I owe my life to you , nor that you are a gentleman . Trust me , I never will betray you . '' `` Thanks , thanks !
there will come a time when I may confess the truth and be myself , but not yet , '' and his regretful XXXXX was emphasized by an impatient gesture , as if concealment was irksome .
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