CHAPTER III.
In the gloom thrown over the household by Mr.Engelman's death, Mrs.
Wagner, with characteristic energy and good sense, had kept her mind closely occupied.

During the office hours, she studied those details of the business at Frankfort which differed from the details of the business in London; and soon mastered them sufficiently to be able to fill the vacancy which Mr.Engelman had left.

The position that he had held became, with all its privileges and responsibilities, Mrs.Wagner's position--claimed, not in virtue of her rank as directress of the London house, but in recognition of the knowledge that she had specially acquired to fit her for the post.
Out of office-hours, she corresponded with the English writer on the treatment of insane persons, whose work she had discovered in her late husband's library, and assisted him in attracting public attention to the humane system which he advocated.

Even the plan for the employment of respectable girls, in suitable departments of the office, was not left neglected by this indefatigable woman.

The same friendly consideration which had induced her to spare Mr.Keller any allusion to the subject, while his health was not yet completely restored, still kept her silent until time had reconciled him to the calamity of his partner's death.
Privately, however, she had caused inquiries to be made in Frankfort, which would assist her in choosing worthy candidates for employment, when the favorable time came--probably after the celebration of Fritz's marriage--for acting in the interests of the proposed reform.
"Pray send me away, if I interrupt you," said Madame Fontaine, pausing modestly on the threshold before she entered the room.