y for the second time
countermanded your wish to hear the boy choir, she feared that her art
had found no favour in your Majesty's trained ears, and, wounded and
disheartened--"

"Nonsense!" the Emperor broke in wrathfully. "The contrary is true.
The Queen of Hungary was commissioned to assure the supposed boy of my
approval. Tell her this, Sir Wolf Hartschwert, and do so at once. Tell
her--"

"She rode to the forest with some friends," Wolf timidly ventured to
interpose to save himself other orders impossible to execute. "If she
has not returned home, it might be difficult--"

"Whether difficult or easy, you will find her," Charles interrupted.
"Then, with a greeting from her warmest admirer, Charles, the music
lover, announce that he does not command, but entreats her to let him
hear again this evening the voice whose melody so powerfully moved his
heart.--You, Baron, will accompany the gentleman, and not return without
the young lady!--What is her name?"

"Barbara Blomberg."

"Barbara," repeated the sovereign, as if the name evoked an old
memory; and, as though he saw before him the form of the woman he was
describing, he added in a low tone: "She is blue-eyed, fairskinned and
rosy, slender yet well-rounded. A haughty, almost repellent bearing.
Thick, waving locks of golden hair."

"That is witchcraft!" the baron exclaimed. "Your Majesty is painting her
portrait in words exactly, feature by feature. Her hair is like that of
Titian's daughter."

"Apparently you have not failed to scrutinize her closely," remarked the
Emperor sharply. "Has she already associated with the gentlemen of the
court?"

Both promptly answered in the negative, but the Emperor continued
impatiently: "Then hasten! As soon as she is here, inform me.--The meal,
Malfalconnet, must be short-four courses, or five at the utmost, and no
dessert. The boy choir is not to be stationed in the chapel, but in the
dining hall, opposite to me.--We leave the arrangement to you, Sir Wolf.
Of course, a chair must be placed for the lady.--Have the larger table
set in another room, baron, and, for ought I care, serve with all twenty
courses and a dessert. Old Marquise de Leria will remain here. She will
occupy Queen Mary's seat at my side. On account of the singer, I mean.
Besides, it will please the marquise's vanity."

His eyes sparkled with youthful fire as he gave these orders. When the
ambassadors were already on the threshold, he called after them