lconnet, in a tone of good-natured anxiety,
called to the captain, "One may be the father of a nightingale, my brave
hero, and yet miss the way to the south without a guide."

"True, true," the Emperor assented. "So we will give our gallant friend
a travelling companion who understands Castilian, and on whom we can
also rely. Besides, affairs of so much moment are better cared for
by two messengers than by one. What is the name of the cavalier,
Malfalconnet, who spoke to you of the friendship which unites him to
this brave old champion of the faith?"

"Wolf Hartschwert, your Majesty," was the reply.

"The musician," said the monarch, as if some memory was awakened in his
mind. "A modest fellow, whose reliability my sister praised.--And now,
my vigorous friend, a prosperous journey! Your daughter, whom the favour
of Heaven has so richly endowed with beautiful gifts, has found, I
have heard, a maternal guardian in the Marquise de Leria. We, too, will
gladly interest ourselves in the charming singer who affords us such
rare pleasure."

As he spoke he showed his old companion in arms the unusual honour of
extending his hand to him, and when the latter, deeply moved by such
graciousness, ardently kissed it, he hurriedly withdrew it, saying, as
he kindly patted his arm, "You are doing us a greater service than you
imagine, Captain Blomberg."

Then, wishing him a successful journey, he went to the writing table, on
which the secretary Gastelu had laid the newly received despatches.

Radiant with joy, the captain, making many profound bows, left the
apartment of the gracious monarch, for whom now he would really have
ridden to the world's end.

On the stairs he was detained. Malfalconnet handed him two heavy rolls
of gold for the expenses of the journey, and enjoined it upon him to
be ready to set out early the following morning. He might make his own
arrangements with Sir Wolf Hartschwert, and assure him of his Majesty's
gratitude in advance.

A short time after, Barbara was packing the gray-haired courier's
knapsack.

She had never yet worked for her father with so much filial solicitude.
Everything that might be of use to him on the way was carefully
considered.

Though she had not been taken into his confidence, she knew the reason
that he had been selected to undertake this toilsome journey.

The Emperor Charles was sending the old man far away that the happiness
of her love might be undisturbed and unclouded