The question was put so suddenly, in such a domineering tone, that Marietta involuntarily retreated.
She was still of the opinion that the lord of Burgsdorf, with his obstinate silence and stormy leave-taking, was not quite sane, and now she was struck by the thought that it might be a family failing which he had inherited from his mother, for it was very apparent that everything was not quite right with her.
"A dismissal?" she repeated. "But why?"
"For the sake of morality. I am willing to offer you a helping hand. Turn aside from this path of frivolity and I pledge myself to find a place as companion for you."
Now at last the young singer comprehended the object of the conversation. Half angrily and half scornfully she tossed back the little, curly head.
"I must thank you for it, but I love my work and cannot think of exchanging it for a dependent position. I am not fit, anyway, for an upper maid."
"I have expected this answer," said Frau von Eschenhagen with a grim nod of the head, "but I consider it my duty to once more appeal to your conscience. You are still very young and are therefore not responsible to a great extent for it; the heaviest reproach falls on Doctor Volkmar, who allowed the daughter of his son to accept such a calling."
"Gracious lady, I must beg you to leave my grandfather entirely out of the question," cried Marietta indignantly. "You are Toni's future mother-in-law--otherwise I should not have stood this examination--but I will not suffer an insult to my grandfather from anybody on the earth."
In their excitement the two ladies had not noticed that the door leading to the ante-room had opened quietly, and that Willibald had appeared. He was much surprised when he saw his mother, and hastily thrust in his pocket something that he carried carefully wrapped in paper, but he remained standing in the door.
"I do not intend to argue with you," said Frau von Eschenhagen in lofty tones, "but since I am Toni's future mother-in-law, I have the right to warn her of a friendship which does not seem proper to me. Pray do not misunderstand me. I am not haughty. The granddaughter of Dr. Volkmar would be quite welcome to a continuance of friendship, but a lady from a theatre probably has all of her connections in theatrical circles, and here at Furstenstein---- I hope you understand me?"