CHAPTER XXVI.
On St. Desiderius's Day--[May 23rd]--the Emperor again missed the star,and, as it was in the Golden Cross and the heat was great, Barbarareplied that her dress was too thin for the heavy ornament. But theinquiry had made her fear of additional questions so great that sherejoiced over the news that her lover would not visit her the next day.
On the day before yesterday Christoph Madrucci, the Cardinal of Trent,his warlike brother Hildebrand, and the Count of Arco had arrived,bringing news from the Council; but on the morrow Duke Maurice of Saxonywas expected, and the most important negotiations were to be carried onnot only with him, but also with the former, each individual being dealtwith singly and at different hours.
In the evening the welcome guest was to be entertained by music and, ifagreeable to Barbara, by singing also. On the twenty-fifth the city haddecided to give a May festival under the lindens in honour of the duke.The Emperor and the whole court were of course invited.
Barbara then acknowledged that she was fond of such magnificentexhibitions, and begged Charles to allow her to attend the festival withthe marquise.
The answer was an assent, but the Emperor gave it after some delay, andwith the remark that he could devote little time to her, and expectedthat she would subject herself to some restraint.
True, the painful surprise which her features expressed vividly enoughled him to add the apology that, on account of the presence of the twocardinals--for one had come from Augsburg--he would be compelled todeny himself the pleasure of showing her anything more than courteousconsideration in public; but she could not succeed in conquering themortification which, besides the grief of disappointment, had takenpossession of her sensitive soul.
Charles probably perceived, by the alternate flushing and paling of hercheeks, what was passing in her thoughts, and would gladly have soothedher; but he refrained, and forced himself to be content with the fewconciliatory words which he had already addressed to her.
Great events were impending. If he decided upon war, nothing, not evenlove, could be permitted to encroach too heavily upon his time andstrength; but Barbara and the demands which her love made upon himwould surely do this if he did not early impose moderation upon her andhimself.
He had heard nothing about the sale of the star, and whatever haddispleased him in Barbara's conduct during the last few weeks she hadsucceeded in effacing. Yet he had often been on the point of breakingoff his relations with her, for just at this time it was of infiniteimportance that he should keep himself free and strong in mind and body.
Moreover, in a few days he expected his brother Ferdinand with his grownchildren. Two of his nieces were to be married here in his presence,and he felt that he ought not to let either them or the Cardinal ofTrent--who was coming from the Council and would return there--see howstrong were the fetters with which, at his age and just at this time, heallowed himself to be bound by love for a beautiful singer.
The wisdom which had long been characteristic of him commanded him tosever abruptly the connection with the woman he loved and remove herfrom his path. But the demands of the heart and the senses were toopowerful for the man who indulged to excess in fiery wine and spicedfoods, though he knew that greater abstinence would have spared himtorturing pangs.
He had succeeded hundreds of times in obtaining the victory over otherurgent wishes, and conquering strong affections. But this was different,for separation from Barbara must, at any rate, destroy the exquisitelate happiness of the newly unfolded enjoyment of life, and for thisheavy loss he saw no compensation. To part from her entirely, therefore,seemed to him impossible--at any rate, for the present. On the otherhand, the duty of the sovereign and consideration for his relatives bothcommanded him to restrict the demands of her passionate young heart andhis own, which had so recently awaked from slumber.
He had recognised this necessity, and considered the pros and consprecisely as if the matter were a political question. He who, withoutthe quiver of an eyelash, had sent many a band of soldiers to certaindeath in order to execute a well-conceived plan of battle, was compelledto inflict keen suffering upon the woman he loved and himself, thatgreater interests might not be injured.
He had commenced the retreat that day.
The constraint which it was necessary to impose upon themselves must beequally painful to them both, yet this could not be altered.
Had it affected him alone, in defiance of his sense of rank and thetyranny of court etiquette, he would have led Barbara, attired like atrue queen, with his own hand to the festival under the lindens, but thegratification of this heartfelt wish would have entailed too many evilconsequences.
Toying with her, who so quickly understood and so gratefully acceptedthe gifts of the intellect which he offered, was so sweet, but in thesedays it must not be permitted to impair mental repose, keen thought.What he had to discuss and settle with Maurice of Saxony and CardinalMadrucci was of too momentous importance to the destiny of the world, tothe Church, to his fame as a sovereign, to his own greatness and that ofhis race.
He would have liked best to send Barbara away from Ratisbon, as he haddespatched her father three weeks before, and not recall her until thesedecisive days were over; but this was prohibited by his ardent desirefor her presence, her clever questions and appreciative listening,and, above all, her singing, which he valued perhaps even more than herbeauty.
Had he confided to Barbara the important reasons which compelled him toimpose restrictions for a short time upon the demands of his heart,she, who esteemed his grandeur little less than his love, would havecheerfully submitted to what was necessary and right; but truthfulnessand frankness were far more characteristic of her nature than of that ofthe politician who was accustomed to the tricks and evasions of thetime of Machiavelli. He never lacked credible reasons when he desiredto place an intention in a favourable light, and where he wished to keepBarbara away from him, during the next few days, such were certainly tobe found in each individual instance. Suppose the woman he loved did notaccept them? So much the worse for her; he was the Emperor.
As for Barbara, with the subtle power of presentiment of a loving heartshe felt that his passion was waning, and tortured her mobile intellectto discover the right cause.
If the luckless star was connected with it, why had he not blamed heropenly?
No, no!
Adrian had already predicted it; his constancy could not be relied upon,and if war was in prospect he forgot everything that was usually dear tohis heart, and the appearance of the Duke of Saxony certainly seemed toindicate an outbreak. Many an intimation of the Emperor, Granvelle, andthe almoner seemed to suggest this, and, deeply troubled, she went torest.
During the silent night her worst fears became certainty.
She recalled to mind every hour which they had spent alone together.Some change had certainly taken place in him of late.
During her visit as a page the passion of former days had once moreglowed hotly, as the fire on the hearth blazes up brightly before itexpires.
The alteration had begun with the reproaches for her visit to thesuffering Wolf. Now he was aiming to rid himself of her, though witha considerate hand. And she, what could she do to win back the man whoheld every fixed resolve as firmly as the rocks of the cliff hold thepine which grows from them?
Nothing, except to bear patiently whatever he inflicted upon her.
This, however, seemed to her so impossible and painful, so humiliatingand shocking, that she sprang from her bed and for a long time pacedwith bare feet the sleeping-room, which was but dimly lighted by thelamp. Yet all her thoughts and pondering were futile, and when she laydown again she slept until mass.
By daylight she found that she had regarded matters in far too dark alight. True, Charles probably no longer loved her as ardently as before,yet she need scarcely fear the worst at present. But the bare thoughtof having so soon lost the power to bind him to her aroused a storm offeeling in her passionate soul, and when it subsided
bitter thoughtsfollowed, and a series of plans which, on closer examination, provedimpracticable.
The day dragged slowly along.
During the ride in the country she was so depressed and downcast thather companions asked what troubled her.
The lonely evening seemed endless. A short letter from her father, whichinformed her that he had not expected too much of himself, and was ingood health, she cast aside after reading. During the night the feelingof unhappiness and apprehension increased. But the next morning the sunshone brightly into her windows, and after mass a messenger from theGolden Cross announced that Duke Maurice of Saxony had arrived, and inthe afternoon his Majesty wished to see her and hear her sing.
This news cheered her wonderfully; but while Fran Lerch was dressing hershe, too, missed the star, and it seemed to Barbara that with it she hadlost a portion of her charm.
In going out, the marquise met her in the corridor, but Barbara passedwithout returning her greeting.
When she arrived, the company had assembled in the chapel. The Duke ofSaxony sat between the Emperor and Granvelle.
What a handsome, knightly man this Maurice was! A prince from head tofoot, young, and yet, while talking with the Emperor and Granvelle,grave and self-possessed as if he felt himself their peer.
And what fire glowed in his bright glance whenever it rested upon her!
In the chase and over the wine-cup this brave soldier and subtlestatesman was said scarcely to have his equal. Many tales of hissuccesses with fair women had been told her. He pleased her, too, inspite of the bold, free manner in which he gazed at her, and which shewould not have tolerated in any one else.
After she had finished the last song, the duke expressed hisappreciation in gay, flattering words, at the same time complimentingher beauty.
There had been something remarkably winning in his compliments; but whenshe pleased her imperial lover, the acknowledgment was very different.Then there was no mere praise clad in the form of enthusiastic homage,but in addition always acute remarks. With the recognition blendedopinions which revealed the true connoisseur.
This Maurice was certainly wise and brave, and, moreover, far handsomerthan his imperial master; but what illumined Charles's prominent browand brilliant eyes she had never beheld in any one else. To him, to himalone her heart belonged, worthy of esteem as the duke, who was so muchhis junior, appeared.
While taking leave the Saxon held her hand in his for a time and, asshe permitted it, she met a glance from her lover which warned her to beware of incautious familiarity with this breaker of hearts.
Barbara felt as if a sudden brightness had filled her soul, and on herway home the seed which that look had cast into it began to put forthvigorous shoots.
The ardent young Saxon duke would have been a dangerous rival for anyone, even the handsomest and most powerful of men. Suppose that sheshould profit by the wish he showed so plainly, and through jealousybind the man whom she loved anew and more firmly than ever?
She probably admitted to herself that in doing so she would incur agreat risk, but it seemed easier to lose her greatest treasure entirelythan only to half possess it; and when she had once looked this thoughtin the face it attracted her, as with the gaze of a basilisk, more andmore strongly.
The afternoon of the following day, with the marquise, she entered thescene of festivity under the lindens.
To punish Barbara for not returning her greeting, the gray-haired ladyin waiting had at first been inclined to excuse herself on the plea ofillness; but the taste for amusement with which her nature was stillpervaded, as well as curiosity to see the much-discussed Duke Maurice,and the desire to watch Barbara's conduct, drew her to the place wherethe festival was held.
Ratisbon had done her best to receive this guest, whom she especiallydesired to honour, with all possible magnificence. Flags and streamersbearing the colours of the empire, with the Burgundian red and goldof the Emperor, the silver-crossed keys on a red field of the city ofRatisbon, and with the Saxon coats of arms, rose amid the leafy tops ofthe lindens, and floated from tall poles in the sunny May air. The blueand yellow Saxon flag, with the black and yellow chevron in the fieldand a lozenged chaplet from the left corner to the top, was morefrequently seen than any other banner.
Even though this festival was held for Duke Maurice, no one could failto notice how much more space was given to his escutcheon than to theEmperor's.
The entertainment had opened at noon with a tournament and riding at thering. The duke had participated in the sport a short time, and carriedoff several rings on his sword while in full career.
The Emperor had held aloof from this game, in which he had formerlyjoined gladly and with much skill, but, on the other hand, he hadpromised to appear at the festival under the lindens, which was to lastuntil night. The Council had had a magnificent tent erected for him,Duke Maurice, and the court, and in order to ornament the interiorsuitably had allowed the use of the beautiful tapestries in the townhall. These represented familiar incidents from famous love tales:Tristan and Isolde seeing the face of King Mark in the mirror of thespring, Frau Venus as, surrounded by her court, she receives Tannhauserin the Horselberg, and similar scenes. Other art textiles showedincidents in the lives of forest people--little men and women in stripedlinen garments, wonderful trees and birds such as no human eye everbeheld--but above the hangings a row of coats of arms again appeared, inwhich the imperial escutcheon alternated with the Saxon.
The front of the tent, covered with red and white material, stood open,permitting the guests who did not belong to the court to survey theinterior.
Artistic platters, large dishes, in which dainty sweets and fruits weregracefully heaped and the cathedral of Ratisbon and other devices stood,the costly silverware of the city, and many beautifully formed wineflagons attracted the gaze. Beside these were dishes of roast meats,fish, and cakes for the illustrious guests.
Stewards and guards of the Council, clad in red and white, with thecrossed keys in silver embroidery on the shoulder, offered refreshments.Two superb thrones stood ready for the Emperor and the duke, easy-chairsfor the cardinals, princes, and counts, stools for the barons, knights,and ladies.
Opposite to the tent stands were erected for the Council, the patricianfamilies, and the other ladies and gentlemen whom the city had invitedto the festival. In their midst rose a large, richly decorated stage forthe Emperor's orchestra, which, with his Majesty's permission, hadbeen induced to play a few pieces, and by the side of the stands wasa towerlike structure, from whose summit the city pipers of Ratisbon,joined by those of Landshut, were to be heard.
A large, round stage, encircled by a fence of young birch logs, had beenbuilt for dancing amid the leafy lindens, and stood directly opposite tothe imperial tent. Near the linden-shaded square at the shootinghouse were posted the cannon and howitzers, which were to receive thedistinguished guests with loud volleys and lend fresh animation to thefestival.
The Lindenplatz belonged to the same suburb of Prebrunn in which stoodthe little castle of the Prince Abbot of Berchtesgaden, which Barbaraoccupied. So, during the short distance which she and the marquise hadto traverse in litters, uproar, music, and the thunder of artillerygreeted them.
This exerted an intoxicating influence upon Barbara, who had been solong absent from such scenes. At home she had abandoned her intentionof arousing the Emperor's jealousy; now her excited nerves urged her toexecute it. The advantage she hoped to derive was well worth the risk.But if the bold game failed, and the proud, sensitive monarch should beseriously angry----
Just then shots crashed again, music and shouts echoed more loudly inher ears.
"A Blomberg does not fear," and with newly awakened defiance she closedher ears to the warning voice.
The festival was commencing.
She, too, would be gay for once, and if she was cautious the boldenterprise must succeed. A merry evening awaited her and, if all wentwell, on the morrow, after a few unpleasant hours, her lover's
wholeheart would once more be hers.
When she reached the scene of festivity it was already thronged withrichly attired princes and counts, knights and ladies, citizens ofRatisbon, as well as nobles and distinguished townspeople from theneighbouring castles, citadels, and cities.
Music and a loud medley of shouts and conversation greeted her at herentrance. Her heart throbbed quickly, for she did not forget her daringpurpose, and a throng of memories of modest but more carefree daysrushed upon her.
Here, when a little girl, she had attended the May festivalVirgatum--which owed its name to the green rods or twigs with which theschool children adorned themselves--and played under yonder lindens withWolf, with the wilder Erasmus, and other boys. How delightful it hadbeen!--and when the enlarged band of city pipers struck up a gavotteher feet unconsciously kept time, and she could not help thinking of thelast dance in the New Scales, the recruiting officer who had guided herso firmly and skilfully in the Schwabeln, and through him of her father,of whom she had not thought again since the good news received twoevenings before.
She still stood at the crowded entrance gazing around her.
The interior of the imperial tent could not be seen from here, but shecould overlook the stand of the noble families, and there she saw hercousins Anne Mirl and Nandl Woller, with Martina Hiltner beside them.
She had refused to receive all three in her little castle at Prebrunn;the true reason she alone knew. Her excuse had perhaps appeared to thegirls trivial and unkind.
Now her glance met Nandl's, and her warmhearted friend beckoned eagerlyto her; but her mother drew her arm down, and it was evident that thecorpulent lady said something reproving.
Barbara looked away from the stand, and the question where her place washere suddenly disturbed her.
She had received no invitation from the Council of the city, and perhapsshe would have been refused admittance to the stand. She did not knowwhether before the Emperor's arrival she would be received in the courttent, which Cardinal Madrucci of Trent, in superb scarlet robes, wasjust approaching, and an oppressive anxiety again subdued the couragewhich had just resolved on the boldest venture.
At that moment Baron Malfalconnet saw her, and instantly approached.Gaily offering one arm to her and the other to the marquise, he escortedboth to the tent, whispering meanwhile in Barbara's ear, "Glowingsummer, between spring and winter," and, as soon as he had taken them tothe buffet, off he hurried again to offer his arm to the Margravine ofLeuchtenberg, who was followed by two charming daughters, with prettypages bearing their trains.
How the gold, jewels, and shining armour in the tent glittered! How thecrimson glowed, the plumes waved, the heavy velvet attracted the eyeby rich hues, the light laces by their delicate fineness! How the silkrustled, and one superb piece of fur vied with the other in costliness,the white with the red rose in beauty!
Barbara involuntarily looked at her sea-green brocade, and felt itsheavy texture and the softness of the fur trimming on the overdress,which at home she had called a masterpiece of Frau Lerch's work. Shecould be satisfied with her appearance, and the string of pearls on herneck and the bracelet which her lover had sent to her, after her visitin the page's costume, were also costly ornaments. The magnificent starwas missing; in its place she wore at the square-cut neck of herdress two beautiful halfblown roses, and her mirror had showed her howbecoming they were.
She did not need gold or gems. What gave her power to subdue the heartsof men was of higher value.
Yet, when she mingled among the other dignitaries, she felt like anintruder in this circle.
The marquise had left her, and joined those of her own rank. Most of theladies were strangers to Barbara, and she was avoided by those whom sheknew; but, to make amends, she was soon surrounded by many aristocraticgentlemen, and her mobile nature speedily made her forget what had justdepressed her joyous spirit.
Then the cannon and culverins thundered louder, the blare of trumpetsrent the air with deafening shrillness, the ringing of bells in all thesteeples of Ratisbon, the exulting shouts of the crowd upon the standsand in the whole Lindenplatz poured in mighty waves of sound into thetent, where the nobles and aristocratic ladies around Barbara now raisedtheir voices also.
With a throbbing heart she mingled her cheers with those of the othersand, like them, waved her handkerchief and her fan.
The man whom she loved was approaching! This crashing and echoing, thiswild uproar of enthusiastic shouts and cries, this flutter of flagsand waving of handkerchiefs were all in his honour and, stirred to herinmost soul by impetuous enthusiasm and ardent gratitude, her eyes grewdim with tears, and she joined far more loudly and freely in thecheers of the multitude than the aristocrats around her, to whom courtetiquette dictated reserve on all occasions, even this one.
The loving woman saw nothing save the man who was advancing. How shouldshe have noticed the scornful glances which her unrestrained vivacityelicited?
Her gaze was fixed solely upon the one sun to which the little starsaround her owed their paler or brighter radiance. She scarcely noticedeven the handsome young prince at Charles's side. Yet Duke Maurice wouldhave been well worthy of her whole attention, for with what a free,proud step he advanced, while his imperial master used his arm as asupport!
Charles also looked magnificent in the Castilian court costume, with thechain of the Grand Master of the Golden Fleece about his neck; butthe young Saxon duke was considerably his superior in height, and thesilver-embroidered, steel-gray suit of Spanish cut and the black velvetmantle trimmed with a border of marten fur, were extremely becoming.Both saluted the crowd that welcomed them so warmly and loudly,gazing meanwhile at the festal scene, the Emperor with haughty, almostindifferent dignity, the duke with less reserve and more eager gestures.
Barbara knew the sovereign, and when she saw him thrust his lower lipslightly forward she was sure that something vexed him.
Perhaps she ought not to venture to irritate the lion that day.
Was his anger roused by the boldness of the city magistrates, who daredto favour the Saxon escutcheon and banners so openly? It seemed to herexasperating, punishable insolence. But perhaps in his greatness he didnot grudge this distinction to a guest so much his inferior, and it wasonly the gout again inflicting its pangs upon his poor tortured foot.
The way was strewn with leaves and green branches, and the Saxon wasleading her lord directly over the hard little boughs in the middle ofthe path. Barbara would fain have called to him to look at the groundand not up at the banners and escutcheons bearing his colours, whosenumber seemed to flatter him. Had Charles been leaning on her arm, shewould have performed the office of guide better.
At last the distinguished pair, with the companions who followed them,reached the tent and took their seats upon the thrones. Again Mauricegazed eagerly around him, but Charles vouchsafed the Lindenplatz andstands only a few careless glances. He had no time to do more, for theyoung Landgravines of Leuchtenber; and several other newcomers at courtwere presented to him by the Count of Nassau, and, after greeting theoccupants of the tent by a gracious gesture, the monarch addressed a fewkind words to each.
Barbara was obliged to content herself with the others, yet her heartached secretly that he gave her no word of welcome.
Then, when the performances began and the chamberlains and major-domoseated the aristocratic ladies and older dignitaries according to theirsex and rank, and she was thus placed very far in the rear, she feltit as a grievous injustice. Was she no longer the love of the man whoreigned over everything here? And since no one could deny this claim,why need she be satisfied with a place beside the insignificant ladiesof honour of the princelings who were present?
How forsaken and ill-treated she seemed to herself!
But there was Don Luis Quijada already making his way to her to bring agreeting from his Majesty and escort her to a place from which she couldhave a better view of what the city had arranged for the entertainmentof the distinguished guest
.
So she was not wholly forgotten by her lover, but with what scanty almshe fed her!
What did she care for the exhibition which was about to begin?
The minutes dragged on at a snail's pace while the lanterns on thelindens and poles, the torches, and pitch pans were lighted.
Had not the gentlemen and ladies been so completely separated, itmight perhaps have been a little gay. But, as it was, no one of thearistocratic women who surrounded her granted her even one poor word;but the number of glances, open and secret, cast at her became all thegreater as one noble dame whispered to another that she was the singerwhom his Majesty condescended to distinguish in so remarkable a manner.
To know that she was thus watched might be endured, as she was awarethat she could be satisfied with her appearance, but vanity compelledher to assume an expression and bearing which would not disappointthe gazers, and after the performances began this imposed a wearisomerestraint.
Once only was her solitude in the midst of this great company pleasantlyinterrupted, for the Bishop of Arras, without troubling himself aboutthe separation of the sexes, had sought her out and whispered that hehad something to ask of her, whose details they would discuss later. Onthe evening of the day after to-morrow his Majesty's most distinguishedguests, with their ladies, were to assemble at his house. If she desiredto place him under the deepest obligations, she would join them thereand adorn the festival with her singing. Barbara asked in a low tonewhether the Emperor would also be present, and the statesman, smiling,answered that court etiquette prohibited such things. Yet it was notimpossible that, as a special favour, his Majesty might listen fora short time in the festal hall, only he feared that the gout mightinterpose--the evil guest was already giving slight warnings of itsapproach.
Then, without waiting for a reply, the young minister went back to hisroyal master; but his invitation exerted a disturbing influenceupon Barbara. She would have been more than glad to accept, forthe entertainments of the Bishop of Arras were unequalled in variedattractions, magnificence, and gaiety, and what a satisfaction to herambition it would be to sing before such an audience, dine at the sametable with such ladies and gentlemen! She knew also how heavily thisman's favour would weigh in the scales with the Emperor, yet to appearat the banquet without her lover's knowledge was utterly impossible,and just now she felt reluctant to ask his permission. What heavy chainsloaded the favoured woman who possessed the love of this greatest ofsovereigns!
However, reflections concerning Granvelle's invitation passed awaythe time until the lighting of the Lindenplatz was completed. Then theshrill blare of trumpets again rent the air, the city pipers in thetowers struck up a gay march, and the entertainment began.
The gods of Olympus, led by Fame and Fortune, offered their homage tothe Emperor. A youth from the school of poets, attired as the goddessof Fame, bewailed in well-rhymed verses that for a long time no onehad given her so much to do as the Emperor Charles. His comrade, who,bearing a cornucopia in his arms, represented Fortune, assured hercompanion, in still more bombastic verse, that she should certainlyexpect far more from her, the goddess of Fame, in favour of his Majesty.This would continue until her own end and that of all the Olympians,because the Emperor Charles himself was an immortal. He had made themboth subject to him. Fortune as well as Fame must obey his sign. Butthere was another younger friend of the gods for whom, on account of theshortness of his life, they had been able to do less, but for whom theyalso held in readiness their best and greatest gifts. He, too, wouldsucceed in rendering them his subjects. While speaking, Fortune pointedwith the cornucopia and Fame with the trumpet to Duke Maurice, andbesought their indulgent lord and master, the Emperor Charles, to bepermitted to show some of their young favourite's possessions, by whosemeans he, too, would succeed in retaining them in his service.
Then Pallas Athene appeared with the university city of Leipsic, thelatter laden with all sorts of symbols of knowledge. Next came Plutus,the god of Wealth, followed by Freiberg miners bearing large specimensof silver ore in buckets and baskets; and, lastly, Mars, the god of War,leading by a long chain two camels on which rode captive and fetteredTurks.
During these spectacles, which were followed by other similar ones,Barbara had been thinking of her own affairs, and gazed more frequentlyat her lover and his distinguished guests than at the former.
But the next group interested her more because it seemed to honour theEmperor's taste for astronomy, of which he had often talked with her.
On a long cart, drawn by powerful stallions, appeared a giganticfirmament in the shape of a hemisphere, on whose upper surface the sun,moon, and stars were seen shining in radiant light. The moon passedthrough all her changes, the sun and planets moved, and from the domeechoed songs and lute-playing, which were intended to represent themusic of the spheres. Another chorus was heard from a basket of flowersof stupendous size. Among the natural and artificial blossoms sat andlay upon leaves and in the calyxes of the flowers child genii, who flungto the Emperor beautiful bouquets, and into the laps and at the feet ofthe ladies in the tent smaller ones and single flowers.
Barbara, too, did not go with empty hands. The Cupid who had thrownhis to her was the little Maltese Hannibal, who sang with other boys as"Voices of the Flowers," and later was to take part in the great chorus.
This friendly remembrance of her young fellow-artist cheered Barbara,and when a fight began, which was carried on by a dozen trainedchampions brought from Strasburg expressly for this purpose, she turnedher attention to it.
At first this dealing blows at one another with blunt weapons offeredher little amusement; but when shouts from the tent and the standscheered the men from the Mark, and powerful blows incensed to fury thosewho were struck, the scene began to enthral her.
A handsome, agile youth, to her sincere regret, had just fallen, butswiftly recovered his elasticity, and, springing to his feet, belabouredhis opponent, a clumsy giant, so skilfully and vigorously that thebright blood streamed down his ugly face and big body. Barbara's cheeksflushed with sympathy. That was right. Skill and grace ought everywhereto conquer hideous rude force.
If she had been a man she would have found her greatest happiness, asher father did, in battle, in measuring her own strength with another's.Now she was obliged to defend herself with other weapons than bluntswords, and when she saw the champions, six against six, again rush uponone another, and one side drive the other back, her vivid imaginationtransported her into the midst of the victors, and it seemed as if themarquise and the whole throng of arrogant dames in the tent, as well asthe Ratisbon women on the stands who had insulted her by their haughtyairs of virtue, were fleeing from her presence.
How repulsive these envious, hypocritical people were! How she hatedeverything that threatened to estrange her lover's heart! To them alsobelonged the scoundrel who, she supposed, had betrayed the sale of thestar to the Emperor. She resolved to confess to Charles how she had beenled to commit this offence, which was indeed hard to forgive. Perhapsall would then be well again, for in this unfortunate action she couldrecognise the sole wrong which she had ever inflicted upon her lover.She could not help attributing his humiliating manner to it alone, forher love had always remained the same, and only yesterday, after she hadsung before the Duke of Saxony, Appenzelder, who never flattered, hadassured her that her voice had gained in power, her expression in depth,and she herself felt that it was so.
Music was still the firmest bond that united her to her lover. So longas her art remained faithful, he could not abandon her. This convictionwas transformed into certainty when the final performance began, and theRatisbon choir, under the direction of Damian Feys, commenced the mightyhymn with which the composer, Jean Courtois, had greeted the EmperorCharles in Cambray:
"Venite populi terrai"--"Come hither, ye nations of the earth"--thismotet for four voices called imperiously to all mankind like a joyoussummons.
"Ave Cesar, ave majestas sacra," sounded in solemn, religious tonest
he greeting to the greatest of monarchs. It seemed to transport thelistener to the summit of the cathedral, as the choir now called to theruler that the earth was full of his renown. The Ratisbon singers andthe able Feys did their best, and this mighty act of homage of all thenations of the earth by no means failed to produce its effect upon himto whom it was addressed.
While Barbara listened, deeply agitated, she did not avert her eyes fromher lover's face, which was brightly illumined by a pyramid of candleson each side of the two thrones.
Every trace of weariness, indifference, and discomfort had vanished fromCharles's features. His heart, like hers--she knew it--was now throbbinghigher. If he had just been enduring pain, this singing must have drivenit away or lessened it, and he had certainly felt gratefully what powerdwells in the divine art.
This noble composition, Barbara realized it, would again draw her nearher lover, and the confirmation of this hope was not delayed, for assoon as the last notes of the motet and the storm of applause thatfollowed had died away, the Emperor, amid the renewed roar of theartillery, rose and looked around him--surely for her.
The good citizens of Ratisbon! No matter how much more bunting they hadcut up in honour of the Saxon duke than of the Emperor, how bombasticwere the verses composed and repeated in praise of Maurice, this paeanof homage put all their efforts to shame. It suited only one, laudeda grandeur and dignity which stood firm as indestructible cliffs, andwhich no one here possessed save the Emperor Charles.
Who would have ventured to apply this motet to the brave and cleverSaxon, high as he, too, towered above most of his peers? What did thenations of the earth know about him? How small was the world still thatwas full of his renown!
This singing had reminded both princes of Barbara, and they looked forher. The Emperor perceived her first, beckoned kindly to her, and, afterconversing with her for a while so graciously that it aroused the envyof the other ladies in the tent, he said eagerly: "Not sung amiss foryour Ratisbon, I should think. But how this superb composition wassung six years ago at Catnbray, under the direction of Courtoishimself!--that, yes, that is one of the things never to be forgotten.Thirty-four singers, and what power, what precision, and, moreover, thegreat charm of novelty! I have certainly been permitted to hear manythings----"
Here he paused; the Cardinal of Trent was approaching with the Bishop ofArras.
The younger Granvelle, with his father, had also been present atthe performance of this motet of homage at Cambray, and respectfullyconfirmed his Majesty's remark, speaking with special warmth of thefervour and delicacy with which Jean Courtois had conducted the choir.
The cardinal had no wish to detract from the merits of the Netherlandmaestro, but he called the Emperor's attention to young Orlando diLasso, the leader of the orchestra in the Lateran at Rome, who, in hisopinion, was destined as a composer and conductor to cast into the shadeall the musicians of his time. He was born in Hennegau. The goddess ofMusic continued to honour the Netherlands with her special favour.
During this conversation Barbara had stepped modestly aside. Charlesglanced toward her several times to address her again, but when theBishop of Arras whispered that, before the commencement of the festival,the cardinal had received despatches from the Council and from Rome, hemotioned to both prelates to follow him, and, paying no further heedto Barbara--nay, without even vouchsafing her a farewell wave of thehand--conducted them to the rear of the tent.
Again the girl's heart ached in her abandonment. Duke Maurice, too, hadvanished. When he saw the Emperor address her he had left the tent.
Dancing had begun, and he was now accepting the invitation of themagistrate Ambrosius Ammann to inaugurate the young people's pleasure asleader of the Polish dance.
For a time Barbara stood as if spellbound to the spot where her loverhad so suddenly turned away from her.
She was again experiencing what Adrian had predicted--politics madeCharles forget everything else, even love. How would it be when waractually came?
Now, after the Emperor had showed her that he still deemed her worthyof regard, she felt for the first time thoroughly neglected, and withdifficulty restrained her tears. She would have liked to follow Charles,and at every peril whisper softly, so that he alone could hear, yet withall the sharpness of her resentment, that it was unchivalrous to leaveher standing here like an outcast, and that she demanded to learn whyshe had forfeited his love.
The wild throbbing of her heart impeded her breathing, and, in theindignation of her soul, she longed to escape fresh humiliation and toleave the festival.
But again Baron Malfalconnet appeared as a preserver in the hour ofneed, and, with the profound submissiveness bordering upon mockery whichhe always showed her, asked why she had so speedily deprived his Majestyof the pleasure of her society. Barbara gave way to her wrath and, whilevehemently forbidding the unseemly jibe, glanced with a bitter smiletoward the Emperor, who, in conversation with the two dignitaries,seemed to have forgotten everything around him.
"The destiny of the world," observed the baron, "can not be set todance music. The domain of your obedient admirer, Malfalconnet, on thecontrary, obeys solely the heart throbs in this loyal breast; and ifyou, fairest of women, will allow yourself to be satisfied with so smalla realm of sovereignty, it is at your disposal, together with thesetolerably agile feet, which still wait in vain for the well-meritedimperial gout."
The sharp refusal which this proposition received amused the baroninstead of offending him, and passing into a more conversational tone,he proposed to her to leave this abode of ennui, where even the poorsatyrs on the hangings were holding their big hands over their mouths tohide their yawns, and go with him to the dancing floor.
Barbara laid her hand on his arm and followed him to the pleasure groundunder the lindens, where the pretty daughters of the Ratisbon noblefamilies had just commenced a dance with the gentlemen belonging totheir circle.
Barbara had gone to school, exchanged kisses, and was a relative orfriend of most of these young girls in light gala dresses, adorned withcoloured flowers, whose names Malfalconnet asked, yet, after an intervalof these few weeks, she met them like a stranger.
The love which united her to the Emperor had raised her far above them.
Accustomed to give herself up entirely to the gifts which the presentoffered, she had turned her back on Ratisbon and its inhabitants, withwhom, during this period of happiness she could easily dispense, as ifthey were a forgotten world. There was no one in her native city whomshe seriously missed or to whom she was strongly drawn. That she, too,offered these people little, and was of small importance, self-love hadnever permitted her to realize, and therefore she felt an emotion ofpainful surprise when she perceived the deep gulf which separated herfrom her fellow-citizens of both sexes.
Now her old friends and acquaintances showed her plainly enough howlittle they cared for her withdrawal.
Pretty Elspet Zohrer, with whom she had contended for the recruitingofficer, Pyramus Kogel, was standing opposite to her, by her partner'sside, in the same row with charming little Mietz Schiltl, Anne MirlWoller, her cousin, Marg Thun, and the others.
The Zauner, which they were dancing with a solemn dignity that arousedthe baron's mirth, afforded them an opportunity to look around them, andthey eagerly availed themselves of it; nay, they almost all glanced atBarbara, and then, with evident intention, away from her, after ElspetZohrer, with a contemptuous elevation of her dainty little snub nose,had ignored her schoolmate's greeting.
Barbara drew herself up, and the air of unapproachable dignity which sheassumed well suited the aristocratic gentleman at her side, whom everyone knew as the most brilliant, witty, and extravagant noble at theEmperor's court. At the same time she addressed the baron, whom she hadhitherto kept at a distance, with unconstrained familiarity, and asthe eyes of the mothers also rested upon her, remarks which mighthave driven the blood to her cheeks were made upon the intimate termsexisting between the "Emperor's sweetheart" and the p
rofligate andspendthrift Malfalconnet.
True, Barbara could not understand what they were saying, but it waseasy enough to perceive in what way they were talking about her.
Yet what gave these women the right to condemn her?
They bore her a grudge because she had distinguished herself by herart, while their little geese were idle at home or, at most, busiedthemselves in the kitchen, at the spinning wheel, in dancing, andwhatever was connected with it while waiting for their future husbands.The favour which the most illustrious of mortals showed her they imputedto her as a crime.
How could they know that she was more to the Emperor than the artistwhose singing enraptured him?
The girls yonder--her Woller cousins certainly--merely held aloofbecause their mothers commanded them to do it. Only in the case of a fewneed she fear that jealousy and envy had taken possession of them. Yetwhat did she care for them and their behaviour? She looked over theirheads with the air of a queen.
But what was the meaning of this?
As soon as the dance was over, a pretty young girl, scarcely seventeenyears old, with blue forget-me-nots in her fair hair and on her breast,left her partner and came directly toward Barbara.
Her head drooped and she hesitated shyly as she did so, but her modesttimidity was so charming that the dissolute courtier at Barbara'sside felt a throb of sympathy, and gazed down at her like a benevolentfatherly friend as she held out her hand to his companion.
He did not think Martina Hiltner actually beautiful as she stood closebefore him, but, on the other hand, inexpressibly charming in her modestgrace.
That it was she who came to Barbara so confidingly increased his goodopinion of the self-reliant, hot-blooded girl who had won the Emperor'slove, and therefore he was deeply angered when the latter answeredMartina's greeting curtly and coldly, and, without vouchsafing her anyfurther words, requested him to summon one of the attendants who wereserving refreshments.
Malfalconnet glanced significantly toward Martina, and, while offeringBarbara a goblet of lemonade, said, "There is candied lemon and otherseasoning in it, so it will probably suit your taste, exacting beauty,since you appear to dislike what is pure."
"Only when poison is mixed with it," she answered quickly, tossing herhead arrogantly. Then, controlling herself, she added in an explanatorytone: "In this case, Baron, your far-famed penetration deceived you. Itgave me more pain than you will believe to reject the friendly advancesof this lovely child, but her father is the head of the Lutheran heresyhere, and the almoner----"
"Then that certainly alters the case," the other interrupted. "Wherethe Holy Inquisition threatens, I should be capable of denying a friendthrice ere the cock crew. But what a number of charming young facesthere are on this Lindenplatz! Here one can understand why Ratisbon,like the French Arles, is famed for the beauty of her daughters. It wasnot easy for you to earn the reputation of the greatest beauty here. Youhave also gained that of the most cruel one. You make me feel it. But ifyou wish to cast into oblivion the poisoned cup proffered just now, dome the favour to trust yourself to my guidance in the next dance."
"Impossible," answered Barbara firmly. "If I were really cruel, I wouldyield to your skill in tempting, and render you the base betrayer of thegreatest and noblest of masters."
"Does not every one who gazes at your beauty or listens to your songbecome such a monster, at least in thought?" asked the baron gaily. "Areyou really so inexorable about the dance?"
"As this statue," Barbara answered with mirthful resolution, pointingto a plaster figure which was intended to represent the goddess Floraor the month of May. "But let us stay here a few minutes longer, thoughonly as spectators."
Barbara expressed this wish because a group of young gentlemen, who hadalways been among those who sought her most eagerly for a partner at thedances in the New Scales, had attracted her attention. They wereengaged in an animated discussion, which from their glances and gesturesevidently concerned Barbara.
Bernhard Trainer, the tall son of an old and wealthy family, who lovedMartina Hiltner, and had been incensed by Barbara's treatment of her,seemed to gain his point, and when the city pipers began to play again,all of them--probably a dozen in number--passed by her arm-in-arm incouples, with their eyes studiously fixed upon the opposite side of thedancing floor.
Barbara could entertain no doubt that this insulting act was intended towound her. The "little castle," as it was called in Prebrunn, ownedby Bernhard Trainer's family, was near the bishop's house which sheoccupied. Therefore the Trainers had probably heard more than othersabout the visits she received. Or did the gentlemen consider that shedeserved punishment for not treating Martina more kindly?
Whatever might have caused the unseemly act, in Barbara's eyes it was abase trick, which filled her with furious rage against the instigators.Had she shared the Emperor's power, it would have been a delight to herin this hour to repay the malignant insult in the same or far heaviercoin. But, on Malfalconnet's account, she must submit in silence to whathad been inflicted upon her.
So, in a muffled tone, she requested the baron to take her back to thetent, but while fulfilling her wish he wondered at the long strides ofthe capricious young lady at his side, and the mortifying inattentionwith which she received his questions.
Meanwhile the Emperor had returned to the throne, and Maurice of Saxonywas again standing beside him, while the chamberlain Andreas Wolff washumbly, inviting the monarch to make the Ratisbon young people happy byvisiting the scene of the dancing.
After a dance of inquiry at the duke, Charles assented to this request.But they must pardon him if he remained a shorter time than he himselfwould desire, as the physician was urging his return home.
While the chamberlain was retiring, Charles saw Barbara leaning onMalfalconnet's arm, beckoned to them, and asked her whether she hadyielded to her love for dancing.
A brief "No, your Majesty," assured him of the contrary, and led him tomake the remark that whoever exercised a noble art so admirably as shewould be wise to refrain from one which could afford nobody any higherpleasure than the peasant and his sweetheart, if they only had soundfeet.
The counsel sounded harsh, almost warning, and the already irritatedgirl with difficulty restrained a sharp reply; but the Emperor wasalready rising, that, leaning on Quijada's arm, he might seek thedancing ground.
Meantime the young Saxon duke had approached Barbara, and expressed hisadmiration of the successful festival, but she scarcely heard whathe said. Yet when she turned her face toward him, and his ardent gazerested yearningly upon her, she felt that the opportunity had now cometo carry out her half-forgotten intention of arousing the jealousy ofher royal lover.
Whatever it might cost, she must undertake the risk.
Summoning all her strength of will, she silenced the bitter resentmentwhich filled her heart, and a sunny glance told Duke Maurice how muchhis escort pleased her. Malfalconnet had watched every look of the ladyon his arm, as well as the duke's, and as they approached the sceneof the dance he asked the latter if his Highness would condescend torelieve him for a short time of a delightful duty. An important one inthe service of his imperial Majesty----
Here the duke's eager assent interrupted him, and the next momentBarbara was leaning on the arm of the handsome young prince.
She had found in him the tool which she needed, and Maurice entered intoher design only too readily, for the baron had scarcely retired ere hechanged his tone of voice and began an attack upon her heart.
He had no need to respect the older rights of his imperial host, forCharles had distrustfully concealed from him the bond which united himto the beautiful singer. So, with glowing eloquence, he described toBarbara how quickly and powerfully the spell of her beauty and herwonderful art had fired his brain, and besought her to aid him not tocommence one of the most important periods of his life with a soreheart and sick with longing; but she allowed him to speak, withoutinterrupting him by a single word.
She
could not misunderstand what he desired, and many a glance permittedhim to interpret it in his favour; but resentment still continued tostir in her soul, growing and deepening as the Emperor, seated on thethrone erected for him, without noticing her appearance, sometimeslistened to the chamberlain, who mentioned the names of the handsomestdancers, sometimes addressed a question to the Bishop of Arras and theother gentlemen who had followed him.
Her royal lover deprived her of even the possibility of rousing him byjealousy from the consciousness of the secure possession of her person.Besides, the flushed faces of the young men who had so shamelesslyinsulted her were beaming before her with the joy of the festival.
But the expression of their features was already changing. Duke Mauricehad been recognised, and now all who felt entitled to do so approachedhim, among them her foes, at their head Bernhard Trainer, who wereobliged to bend low before him, and therefore before her also.
Just then the city pipers struck up a gagliarde, and the music was theair of the dancing-master's song by Baldassaro Donati, which had rousedthe Emperor's indignation a few days ago. In imagination she again heardhis outburst of anger, again saw him rise from his seat in wrath at theinnocent "Chi la gagliarda vuol imparare."
The time of reckoning had come, and he should pay her for the bitternessof that hour! Yonder malevolent fellows, who now looked bewildered anduneasy, should be forced to retreat before her and perceive what powershe had obtained by her beauty and her art.
With fevered blood and panting breath she listened to the gay musicof the enlarged band of city pipers, and watched the movements ofthe couples who had already commenced the gagliarde, and--how was itpossible in such a mood?--a passionate desire to dance took possessionof her.
Without heeding the many persons who stood around them, she whisperedsoftly to the duke, "It would be a pleasure to keep time to the music ofthe gagliarde with you, your Highness."
An ardent love glance accompanied this invitation, and the bold Saxonduke was a man to avail himself of every advantage.
He instantly expressed to the Ratisbon gentlemen his desire to try thegagliarde himself to such excellent music, and at a sign from the masterof ceremonies the dance stopped.
Several members of the Council requested the couples to make way, andMaurice took his partner's hand and led her on the stage.
The sudden cessation of the music attracted the Emperor's attentionalso. In an instant he perceived what was about to take place, andlooked at Barbara. Her eyes met his, and such a glow of indignation,nay, wrath, so imperious a prohibition flashed from his glance thather flushed cheeks paled, and she strove to withdraw her hand from theduke's.
But Maurice held it firmly, and at the same moment the city pipers beganto play again, and the music streamed forth in full, joyous tones.
The wooing notes fell into her defiant soul like sparks on drybrushwood. She could not help dancing, though it should be her death.Already she had begun, and with mischievous joy the thought dartedthrough her mind that now Charles, too, would perceive what anguish layin the fear of losing those whom we love.
If this grief brought him back to her, she thought, while eagerlyfollowing the figures of the dance, she would tend him all her life likea maidservant; if his pride severed the bond between them--that couldnot be done, because he loved her--she must bear it. Doubtless theconviction forced itself upon her superstitious mind that Fate wouldbe ready to ruin her by the dance, yet she executed what must bringmisfortune upon her; to retreat was no longer possible.
These thoughts darted in wild confusion in a few moments through herburning brain, and while Maurice swung her around it seemed as if themusic reached her through the roar and thunder of breakers. The words"Chi la gagliarda vuol imparare" constantly echoed in her ears, mocking,reckless, urging her to retaliation.
The dancing-master, Bernandelli, whom the Council had summoned fromMilan to the Danube, had taught her and the other young people ofRatisbon the gagliarde. The sensible teacher, to suit the taste of theGerman burghers, had divested the gay dance of its recklessness. Buthe had showed his best pupils with how much more freedom the Italiansperformed the gagliarde, and Barbara had not forgotten the lesson. DukeMaurice moved and guided her with the same unfettered ease that thelittle maestro had displayed in former days. Willing or not, she wasobliged to follow his lead, and she did so, carried away by the demandsof her excited blood and the pleasure of dancing, so long denied,yet with the grace and perfect ear for time which were her specialcharacteristics.
Neither the Ratisbon citizens nor Charles, who had been a good dancerhimself, had ever seen the gagliarde danced in this way by eitherthe gentleman or the lady. A better-matched couple could scarcelybe imagined than the tall, powerful, chivalrous young prince and thebeautiful, superbly formed, golden-haired girl who seemed, as it were,carried away by the music.
But Charles did not appear to share the pleasure which the sight ofthis rare couple and their dancing awakened even in the most envious andaustere of the Ratisbon spectators, for when, in a pause, Barbara, withsparkling eyes, glanced first into the duke's face and then, with amerry look of inquiry, at her lover, she found his features no longerdistorted by anger, but disgusted, as though he were witnessing anunpleasant spectacle.
Nevertheless she danced a short time longer without looking at him,until suddenly the remembrance of his reproving glance spoiled herpleasure in this rare enjoyment.
She whispered to the duke that she was satisfied.
A wave of his hand stopped the music but, ere returning the bow of herdistinguished partner, Barbara looked for the Emperor.
Her eyes sought him in vain-he had left the turf under the lindensbefore the close of the dance. The Bishop of Arras, Malfalconnet, andseveral of the ladies and gentlemen who had left the tent in no smallnumber and gone to the scene of the dancing after learning what wastaking place there, had remained after the monarch's departure. Mostof them joined in the applause which the younger Granvelle eagerlycommenced when the city pipers lowered their instruments.
Barbara heard it, and saw that Bernhard Trainer and other young citizensof Ratisbon were following the courtiers' example, but she seemedscarcely to notice the demonstration.
The doubt whether Charles had merely not waited till the end of thedance, or had already left the festival, made her forget everythingelse. Through the Bishop of Arras she learned that his Majesty had gonehome.
No one, not even the baron and Quijada, had received a message for her.
This fresh humiliation pierced her heart like a knife.
On every similar occasion hitherto he had sent her a few kind words, or,if Don Luis was the messenger, tender ones.
Yet she was obliged to force herself to smile, in order not to betraywhat was passing in her mind. Besides, she could not shake off the Dukeof Saxony like the poor, handsome recruiting officer, Pyramus Kogel.
Fortunately, some of the most prominent Ratisbon citizens now crowdedaround Maurice to thank him for the honour which he had done the city.
She availed herself of the favourable opportunity to beg Granvelle, ina low tone, to keep the duke away from her the next morning until hisdeparture at noon, and, if possible, now.
"One service for another," replied the statesman. "I will rid you of themost desirable admirer in Germany. But, on the day after to-morrow, youwill adorn my modest banquet with the singing of the most gifted artistin the world."
"Gladly, unless his Majesty forbids me to do so," replied Barbara.
A few minutes later she informed her passionate young ducal lover, whowished to call upon her in her own home that very evening, that it wouldbe utterly impossible. With an air of the greatest regret, she said thather little castle was guarded like an endangered citadel; and when theduke proposed a meeting, he was interrupted by the Bishop of Arras, whodesired to speak to him about "important business."
In spite of the late hour, the minister, even without the girl'srequest, would have sought an audience with the d
uke, and to theambitious Maurice politics and the important plans being preparedfor immediate execution were of infinitely greater value than a loveadventure, no matter what hours of pleasure it promised to afford.
So Barbara succeeded in taking leave of the duke without giving himoffence.
The marquise was waiting for her with ill-repressed indignation. Theweary old woman had wanted to return home long before, but the commandof the grand chamberlain compelled her to wait for Barbara and accompanyher the short distance to the house.
With an angry glance and a few bitter-sweet words of greeting, the olddame entered the litter. Barbara preferred to walk beside hers, forclouds had darkened the sky; it had become oppressively sultry, and shefelt as if she would stifle in the close, swaying box.
Four torch-bearers accompanied the litters. She ordered the knight andthe two lackeys whom Quijada had commissioned to attend her to remainbehind, and also refused the service of the little Maltese, who--oh, howgladly!--would have acted as a page and carried her train.
As the shipwrecked man on a plank amid the endless surges longs forland, Barbara longed to get away, far away from the noise of thefestival. Yet she dreaded the solitude which she was approaching, forshe now perceived how foolishly she had acted, and with what sinfulrecklessness she had perhaps forfeited the happiness of her life on thisluckless evening.
But need she idly wait for the doom to which she was condemned? He whosebright eyes could beam on her so radiantly had just wounded her withangry glances, like a foe or a stern judge, and his indignation had notbeen groundless.
What had life to offer her without his love? The wantonly bold venturehad been baffled. Yet no! All was not yet lost!
Suppose she should summon courage to steal back to him and on her kneesrepentantly beseech him to forgive her?
But she cherished this desire only a few moments. Then the angry,wronged heart rebelled against such humiliation. She had not so shamefully offended the Emperor, but the lover, and it was his place toentreat her not to withdraw the love which made him happy.
The young girl raised her head with fresh courage. What had happenedmore than she had expected?
Because he loved her, he had become jealous, and made her feel hisanger. But if she should now persistently withdraw from him, and let himrealize how deeply he had offended her, she could not fail to win thegame. In spite of all his crowns and kingdoms, he was only a man, andmust not she, who in a few brief hours had forced a Maurice of Saxonyto sue yearningly for her love, succeed by the might of her art and herbeauty in transforming the wrath of the far older man, Charles, into hisformer passion?
If the Italian novels with which she was familiar did not lie, not onlyjealousy, but apparent indifference on the part of the beloved object,fanned the heart of man to burst into fresh flames.
It was only necessary to hold her impetuous temper in check, and profitby the jealousy which had now been aroused in Charles's mind. Hithertoshe had always obeyed hasty impulses. Why should not she, too, succeedin accomplishing a well-considered plan? With the torturing emotionsof failure, mortification, desertion, remorse, and yearning forforgiveness, now blended the hope of yet bringing to a successfulconclusion the hazardous enterprise which she had already given up ashopeless, and, while walking on, her brain toiled diligently over plansfor the campaign which would compel the great general to return withtwofold devotion the love of which he had deprived her.
So, in the intense darkness, she followed the light which the torchescast upon the uneven path. At first she had taken up the train of herdress; now it was sweeping the dusty road.
What did she care for the magnificent robe if she regained Charles'slove? Of what use would it be if she had lost it, lost it forever?
Before the litters reached the little castle a gust of wind rose,driving large drops of rain, straw, and withered leaves-Barbara couldnot imagine whence they came in the month of May--into her face. She wasobliged to struggle against these harbingers of the coming tempest, andher heart grew lighter during the conflict. She was not born to endure,but to contend.
The scene of the festivities emptied rapidly. The duke and Granvelledrove back to the city in the minister's carriage. Malfalconnet andQuijada, in spite of the gathering storm, went home on foot.
"What a festival!" said Don Luis scornfully.
"In former days such things presented a more superb spectacle even here.But now! No procession, no scarlet save on the cardinals, no goldencross, no venerable priest's head on the whole pleasure ground, and,moreover, neither consecration nor the pious exhortation to rememberHeaven, whence comes the joy in which the crowd is rejoicing."
"I, too, missed something here," cried the baron eagerly, "and now Ilearn through you what it is."
"Will not the heretics themselves gradually feel that they are robbingthe pasty of faith of its truffles--what am I saying?--of its salt?May their dry black bread choke them! The only thing that gave theunseasoned meal a certain charm was the capitally performed gagliarde.
"Which angered his Majesty more deeply than you imagine," replied DonLuis. "The singer's days are probably numbered. It is a pity! She waswonderfully successful in subduing the spirits of melancholy."
"The war, on which we can now depend, will do that equally well, if notbetter," interrupted the baron. "Within a short time I, too, have lostall admiration for this fair one. Cold-hearted and arrogant. Capable ofthe utmost extremes when her hot blood urges her on. Unpopular withthe people to whom she belongs, and, in spite of her bold courage,surprisingly afraid of the Holy Inquisition. Here, among the heretics,that gives cause for thought."
"Enough!" replied Don Luis. "We will let matters take their course. Ifthe worst comes, I, at least, will not move a finger in her behalf."
"Nor will I," said Malfalconnet, and both walked quietly on.
BOOK 2.