sed him leave
of absence to go to Villagarcia. Instead, I was obliged to move near
my husband, and am now living with Geronimo, in the wretched village of
Cuacos, which is easily reached from San Yuste. There I finally arrived
with the boy whom the Virgin, in her inexhaustible mercy, gave to me,
a poor, childless woman, to make me happy, although on his account I
wronged my lord and husband by a sinful suspicion.

"Here I must begin my letter for the third time.

"It was fortunate that Geronimo left Massi and Leganes, for he was
allowed to grow up there like a little savage. Before learning to obey,
he was permitted to command.--No one opposed him, so in Villagarcia the
first thing necessary was to accustom him to discipline, obedience, and
the manners of the nobles. The trouble was not great, and how richly the
boy rewarded it! He is now in his twelfth year, and how your good wife
would stare, Adrian, if she could see her nursling again! Do not suppose
that it is blind partiality when I say that few handsomer lads could
be found in all King Philip's dominions. His figure is slender and only
slightly above middle height; but how erect and noble is his bearing,
how symmetrically his pliant form is developing! His delicately cut
features and large blue eyes glow with the bold courage which fills his
soul, and which he displays in riding, hunting, and fencing. He still
has his wealth of fair, waving locks. Among a thousand other boys no one
will overlook him. Don Luis, too, admits that he was born to dignity
and honour. Every chivalrous and royal virtue is in his blood. Even his
mother could not sully it."

Here Frau Traut paused to look at Barbara, who had listened, panting for
breath.

She was sorry that she had not omitted the last sentence, but in the
zeal of translating it had unconsciously escaped her lips, and, as she
found no softening word, she went on:

"Geronimo has become a dear child to me. He thinks that I am his own
mother, and clings to me with filial affection. To lead such a son to
this august father was the greatest joy that Heaven has bestowed upon
me.

"Dressed as my page, he rode with me to Jarandilla to meet his Majesty.
He was to present to the imperial master, of whose near relationship
he had no idea, a little basket filled with beautiful oranges from our
garden in Villagarcia, which you know.

"The young horseman, who understands how to wheel his steed, swung
himself from the saddle clos