`` And nothing more ? '' She smiled as she spoke , and glanced at his darkened skin with a shake of the head . `` I dare not answer that . '' `` No matter ; I hate titles , and value people for their own worth , not for their rank . '' Helen spoke impulsively , and , as if carried away by her words and manner , Hoffman caught her hand and pressed his lips to it ardently , dropped it , and was gone , as if fearing to trust himself a moment longer . Helen stood where he left her , thinking , with a shy glance from her hand to the spot where he had stood , -- `` It is pleasant to have one 's hand kissed , as Amy said . Poor Karl , his fate is almost as hard as Casimer 's . '' Some subtile power seemed to make the four young people shun one another carefully , though all longed to be together . The major appeared to share the secret disquiet that made the rest roam listlessly about , till little Roserl came to invite them to a fête in honor of the vintage . All were glad to go , hoping in the novelty and excitement to recover their composure . The vineyard sloped up from the chateau , and on the hillside was a small plateau of level sward , shadowed by a venerable oak now hung with garlands , while underneath danced the chateau servants with their families , to the music of a pipe played by little Friedel . As the gentlefolk approached , the revel stopped , but the major , who was in an antic mood and disposed to be gracious , bade Friedel play on , and as Mrs. Cumberland refused his hand with a glance at her weeds , the major turned to the Count 's buxom housekeeper , and besought her to waltz with him . She assented , and away they went as nimbly as the best . Amy laughed , but stopped to blush , as Casimer came up with an imploring glance , and whispered , -- `` Is it possible that I may enjoy one divine waltz with you before I go ? '' Amy gave him her hand with a glad assent , and Helen was left alone . Every one was dancing but herself and Hoffman , who stood near by , apparently unconscious of the fact . He glanced covertly at her , and saw that she was beating time with foot and hand , that her eyes shone , her lips smiled . He seemed to take courage at this , for , walking straight up to her , he said , as coolly as if a crown-prince , -- `` Mademoiselle , may I have the honor ? '' A flash of surprise passed over her face , but there was no anger , pride , or hesitation in her manner , as she leaned toward him with a quiet `` Thanks , monsieur . '' A look of triumph was in his eyes as he swept her away to dance , as she had never danced before , for a German waltz is full of life and spirit , wonderfully captivating to English girls , and German gentlemen make it a memorable experience when they please .
As they circled round the rustic ball-room , XXXXX never took his eyes off Helen 's , and , as if fascinated , she looked up at him , half conscious that he was reading her heart as she read his .
Amy Count Cumberland Friedel German Hoffman Mademoiselle gentlefolk left sward