The door opened, Herr Balzer entered.
He saluted the count with his usual vulgar familiarity, and the shameless confidence habitual to him.
The count responded by a proud inclination of the head, and looked at him coldly.
"You wished to speak to me, count," said Herr Balzer, "how can I serve you?"
"I hope our conversation will be short," replied the count, "I have a proposal to make to you which you will accept, as it will free you from a very bad position."
Herr Balzer was alarmed at the severe, decided tone in which the count spoke to him. His confidence seemed to give way a little.
"A proposal?" he said with surprise; then he added with a vulgar laugh, "I always like to hear proposals, especially if acceptable."
"I wish your wife to be perfectly free," said the count shortly.
"That will be a little difficult!" cried Herr Balzer with a look of satisfaction, "a separation--she must turn Protestant, and the scandal----"
"She would be free--as a widow," said the count.