His arm was about her , and she leaned affectionately upon him , with a white hand now and then caressing his face , which was full of sparkle and vivacity now . They seemed about to part as Helen looked , for the maiden standing on tiptoe , laughingly offered her blooming cheek , and as Karl kissed it warmly , he said in German , so audibly Helen heard every word , -- `` Farewell , my Ludmilla . Keep silent and I shall soon be with you . Embrace the little one , and do not let him forget me . '' Both left the place as they spoke , each going a different way , and Helen slowly returned to her party , saying to herself in a troubled tone , -- '' ` Ludmilla ' and ` the little one ' are his wife and child , doubtless . I wonder if uncle knows that . '' When Hoffman next appeared she could not resist looking at him ; but the accustomed gravity was resumed , and nothing remained of the glow and brightness he had worn when with Ludmilla in the cloister . VI CHATEAU DE LA TOUR Helen looked serious and Amy indignant when their uncle joined them , ready to set out by the afternoon train , all having dined and rested after the morning 's excursion . `` Well , little girls , what 's the matter now ? '' he asked , paternally , for the excellent man adored his nieces . `` Helen says it 's not best to go on with the Pole , and is perfectly nonsensical , uncle , '' began Amy , petulantly , and not very coherently . `` Better be silly now than sorry by and by . I only suggested that , being interesting , and Amy romantic , she might find this young man too charming , if we see too much of him , '' said Helen . `` Bless my soul , what an idea ! '' cried the major . `` Why , Nell , he 's an invalid , a Catholic , and a foreigner , any one of which objections are enough to settle that matter . Little Amy is n't so foolish as to be in danger of losing her heart to a person so entirely out of the question as this poor lad , is she ? '' `` Of course not . You do me justice , uncle . Nell thinks she may pity and pet any one she likes because she is five years older than I , and entirely forgets that she is a great deal more attractive than a feeble thing like me .
I should as soon think of losing my heart to Hoffman as to the XXXXX , even if he was n't what he is .
Amy Helen Karl Ludmilla Nell Pole afternoon cloister left years