A suspicion crossed her mind. She remembered what Baron Malhof had written her regarding the traps that sometimes are laid in the offers of employment bureaus. She would be on her guard.
“No, not at all; something quite different. Will you permit me to sit down—as the interview may be somewhat protracted?” And he drew a chair up to the table.
“Please, I am listening; but I have not very much time....” And she herself sat down at some little distance.
“Oh, you will give me all the time I want! What I have to say to you is too agreeable for you to wish to break off my communication, my dear very much honored Miss Franka Garlett. That is your name, is it not?”
“Yes, that is my name,” she answered coldly.
“Daughter of the late Professor Garlett, and likewise of his late lawful wife, Ida Garlett, born Countess Sielen of Sielenburg?”
“My father and I were not accustomed ever to mention that title.”
“Your father was very democratic in his notions, was he not? But to the business in hand: I am the attorney of His Excellency the old Count Sielen, and I have come here at his request.”
Franka listened in the greatest agitation; this did not sound like an offer of a situation and was, indeed, surprising.
Dr. Fixstern took out of his breast-pocket an envelope and laid it down before him on the table. Then he went on to say:—