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Thus Hilda was forced to stop and to say ungraciously： ‘‘Mr。 Feuerstein；
Mr。 Heilig。''
Then she and Mr。 Feuerstein went on； and Sophie drew the reluctant
Otto in behind them。 She gradually slackened her pace； so that she and
Heilig dropped back until several couples separated them from Hilda and
Mr。 Feuerstein。 A few minutes and Hilda and Mr。 Feuerstein were seated
on a bench in the deep shadow of a tree； Sophie and Heilig walking slowly
to and fro a short distance away。
Heilig was miserable with despondent jealousy。 He longed to inquire
about this remarkable…looking new friend of Hilda's。 For Mr。 Feuerstein
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seemed to be of that class of strangers whom Avenue A condemns on
their very appearance。 It associates respectability with work only； and it
therefore suspects those who look as if they did not work and did not
know how。 Sophie was soon answering of her own accord the questions
Heilig as a gentleman could not ask。 ‘‘You must have heard of Mr。
Feuerstein？ He's an actor at the German Theater。 I don't think he's
much of an actorhe's one of the kind that do all their acting off the stage。''
Heilig laughed unnaturally。 He did not feel like laughing； but wished
to show his gratitude to Sophie for this shrewd blow at his enemy。 ‘‘He's
rigged out like a lunatic； isn't he？'' Otto was thinking of the long hair； the
low…rolling shirt collar and the velvet collar on his coat；light gray； to
match his hat and suit。
‘‘I don't see what Hilda finds in him；'' continued Sophie。 ‘‘It makes
me laugh to look at him； and when he talks I can hardly keep from
screaming in his face。 But Hilda's crazy over him； as you see。 He tells
all sorts of romances about himself； and she believes every word。 I think
she'll marry himyou know； her father lets her do as she pleases。 Isn't it
funny that a sensible girl like Hilda can be so foolish？''
Heilig did not answer this； nor did he heed the talk on love and
marriage which the over…eager Sophie proceeded to give。 And it was talk
worth listening to； as it presented love and marriage in the interesting；
romantic…sensible Avenue A light。 Otto was staring gloomily at the
shadow of the tree。 He would have been gloomier could he have
witnessed the scene to which the unmoral old elm was lending its
impartial shade。
Mr。 Feuerstein was holding Hilda's hand while he looked soulfully
down into her eyes。 She was returning his gaze； her eyes expressing all
the Schwarmerei of which their dark depths were capable at nineteen。
He was telling her what a high profession the actor's was； how great he
was as an actor； how commonplace her life there； how beautiful he could
make it if only he had money。 It was an experience to hear Mr。
Feuerstein say the word ‘‘money。'' Elocution could go no further in
surcharging five letters with contempt。 His was one of those lofty
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THE FORTUNE HUNTER
natures that scorn all such matters of intimate concern to the humble； hard…
pressed little human animal as food； clothing and shelter。 He so loathed
money that he would not deign to work for it； and as rapidly as possible
got rid of any that came into his possession。
‘‘Yes； my adorable little princess；'' he rolled out； in the tones which
wove a spell over Hilda。 ‘‘I adore you。 How strange that _I_ should
have wandered into THIS region for my soul's brideand should have
found her！''
Hilda pressed his clasping hand and her heart fluttered。 But she was
as silent and shy as Heilig with her。 What words had she fit to express
response to these exalted emotions？ ‘‘II feel it；'' she said timidly。
‘‘But I can't say it to you。 You must think me very foolish。''
‘‘Noyou need not speak。 I know what you would say。 Our hearts
speak each to the other without words； my beautiful jewel。 And what do
you think your parents will say？''
‘‘II don't know；'' stammered Hilda。
‘‘They are so set on my marrying''she glanced toward Ottohow
ordinary he looked！‘‘marrying anothera merchant like my father。
They think only of what is practical。 I'm so afraid they won't understand…
…US。''
Feuerstein sighedthe darkness prevented her from seeing that he was
also frowning with impatience and irritation。
‘‘But it must be settled at once； my heart's bride；'' he said gently。
‘‘Secrecy； deception are horrible to me。 And I am mad to claim you as
my own。 I could not take you without their consentthat would be
unworthy。 No； I could not grieve their honest hearts！''
Hilda was much disturbed。 She was eminently practical herself；
aside from her fondness for romance； which Mr。 Feuerstein was
developing in a way so unnatural in her surroundings； so foreign to her
education； and she could see just how her father would look upon her
lover。 She feared he would vent plain speech that would cut Mr。
Feuerstein's sensitive soul and embattle his dignity and pride against his
love。 ‘‘I'll speak to them as soon as I can；'' she said。 ‘‘Then you will
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speak to them to…morrow or next day； my treasure； and I shall see you on
Sunday afternoon。''
‘‘Nonot Sunday afternoon。 I must stay at homefather has ordered
it。''
‘‘Disappointmentdeception postponement！'' Feuerstein struck his
hand upon his brow and sighed tragically。 ‘‘Oh； my little Erebus…haired
angel； how you do test my love！''
Hilda was almost in tearsit was all intensely real to her。 She felt
that he was superfine