CHAPTER VIII
THE OUTLINES OF A GREAT PLAN
The next day Franka asked Dr. Fixstern what had become of the ring that her grandfather had left to Herr Helmer ... whether it had been as yet delivered. Dr. Fixstern replied that the jewel was still in his possession.
“Then please give it to me and write Mr. Helmer to come here; I should like to hand him his legacy myself.”
A few days later, Franka chanced to be alone, Frau Eleonore having gone out to make some purchases, and was again engaged in turning over the leaves of her father’s notebooks, when Chlodwig Helmer was announced.
“Miss Garlett, you sent for me?”
“Yes, Mr. Helmer. I wanted to see you.... Will you not come nearer?... I have something to put into your hands.”
She went to her writing-table where the box with the ring was lying. “You see, my grandfather intended this for you as a remembrance, and I felt it important to deliver it to you myself.”
Franka spoke with a rather unsteady voice, for she was conscious that she was not speaking the absolute truth. She did not regard the personal transfer of the ring as so important, and what had been the motive of her summoning the young man had been the wish—it was almost a longing—for his presence, as if she might find in him a refuge, a support, a defense! He who cherished ideas very similar to those that were expressed in those notebooks—he who had, so to speak, uttered his command to do the “something great” for which her inmost being yearned—he might be able to show her the way....
Helmer took the ring and put it on his finger. “This will always be a doubly cherished remembrance—I had a very high regard for Count Sielen. He was a dear man, a noble mind ... and that you, yourself, Fräulein Franka...” he hesitated.
“Come, let us sit down and talk about my grandfather. You knew him much longer than I did.”