rom him, but from Dona Magdalena.

In kind words this lady urged her not to write to "her"--Dona
Magdalena's--son in future. She had taught him to think of the woman
who bore him with fitting respect, but it would be impossible for him
to maintain the relation with her. She must spare her the explanation of
the reasons which made this appear to be an obstacle to his career.
Don John would prove in the future, by his care for her prosperity and
comfort, that he did not forget her. She had no right, it is true, to
counsel her; but when she transported herself into the soul of the woman
who had enjoyed the love of the Emperor Charles, and on whom Heaven had
bestowed a son like John of Austria, she felt sure that this woman would
act wisely and promote her real welfare if she preferred communion with
her Saviour, in the quiet of a cloister, to the bustle of life amid
surroundings which certainly were far too humble for her.

Barbara felt wounded to the inmost depths of her being by this letter.
Had the officious adviser, who had certainly despatched the reply
without her son's knowledge, been within her reach, she would have
showed her how little inclination she felt to be patronized by the
person who, after alienating the son's heart from his mother, even
presumed to dictate to her to rob herself of her last claim upon his
regard.

True, in one respect she agreed with the writer of the letter.

Precisely because it appeared as if Heaven had accepted her sacrifice
and the grandeur for which she had made it seemed to be awaiting her
son, she ought to attempt nothing that might impede his climbing to the
height, and her open connection with him might easily have placed stones
in his path. His elevation depended upon King Philip, whose boundless
pride had gazed at her from his chilling face.

So she resolved to make no more advances to her child until the day
came--and a voice within told her that come it must--when he himself
longed for his own mother. Meanwhile she would be content with the joy
of watching his brilliant course from the distance.

The miracles which she had anticipated and prayed for in his behalf were
accomplished. First, she heard that Count Ribadavia's splendid palace
would be prepared for her son, that the sons of noble families would be
assigned to attend him, and that a body-guard of Spaniards and Germans
and a train of his own were at his command.

Then she learned in what a remarkable manner El