“And will you give me the answer which I desired just now? I mean that concrete plan....”
“Will you permit me, in the mean time to lay before you in writing, not the whole plan, but only the sketch of it, in broad lines?”
“As you please ... that will make the third letter in my collection. Very good, then, I will expect the broad lines. The details afterwards, by word of mouth. Auf wiedersehen, Herr Helmer!”
“Who is that young man?” asked Frau Eleonore, after the door had closed behind Chlodwig.
“A signpost at the crossing of the ways.”
“What? I did not understand you.”
“It is not necessary.”
“Not a suitor—I hope?”
“No, God forfend!”
Franka was not kept waiting long for Chlodwig’s letter. She opened it with eagerness and read:—