father. You have _friends_ here," and she laid emphasis on
the word, "that would not be grieved to see you get the name."

"Twenty-seven thousand gulden!" exclaimed he, with a quivering lip. "And
how am I to save money for your dowry, girl, with losses like these?"

"You forget, sir, we are not alone," said she, proudly. "This young
Englishman can scarcely feel interested in these details." She arose
as she spoke, and placed a few dishes of fruit on the table, and then
served us with coffee; the whole done so unobtrusively and in such quiet
fashion as to make her services appear a routine that could not call for
remark.

"The 'Dalmat' will not take our freight," said he, suddenly. "There is
some combination against us there."

"I will look to it," said she, coldly. "Will you try these figs, Herr
von Owen? Fiume, they say, rivals Smyrna in purple figs."

"I will have no more to do with figs or olives either," cried out Herr
Ignaz. "The English beat you down to the lowest price, and then refuse
your cargo for one damaged crate. I have had no luck with England."

Unconsciously, I know it was, his eyes turned fully on me as he spoke,
and there was a defiance in his look that seemed like a personal
challenge.

"He does not mean it for you," said the Fraeulein, gently in my ear, and
her voice gained a softness I did not know it possessed.

Perhaps the old man's thoughts had taken a very gloomy turn, for he
leaned his head on his hand, and seemed sunk in revery. The Fraeulein
rose quietly, and, beckoning me to follow her, moved noiselessly into an
adjoining room. This chamber, furnished a little more tastefully, had a
piano, and some books and prints lay about on the tables.

"My father likes to be left alone at times," said she, gravely; "and
when you know us better, you will learn to see what these times are."
She took up some needlework she had been engaged on, and sat down on a
sofa. I did not well know whether to take my leave or keep her company;
and while I hesitated she appeared to read my difficulty, and said, "You
are free, Herr von Owen, if you have any engagement."

"I have none," said I; then remembering that the speech might mean to
dismiss me, I added hastily, "but it is time to go."

"Good-bye, then," said she, making me a slight bow; and I went.

CHAPTER XXI. THE OFFICE

On the following day the cashier sent for me to say it was Herr
Oppovich's wish that I should be attached to some depart