ook the departing guest, threw herself
impetuously into her arms, and whispered the question whether she would
permit her to pay her a visit at Prebrunn when she was with her old
marquise, she had so much, so very much, to tell her.

But the wish, of which her mother was ignorant, remained unfulfilled,
for Barbara, scarcely able to control her voice in her embarrassment,
hurriedly replied that while with the lady in waiting she would no
longer be her own mistress, pressed a hasty kiss upon the innocent
child's brow, released herself from her embrace, and rushed through the
door, which Wolf was holding open for her, into the street.

The former gazed after her with a troubled heart, and, after she was out
of sight, returned to the others. He conscientiously delivered Barbara's
farewell, and the praise which Frau Sabina lavished upon her pleased
him as much as if nothing had come between them. Finally he made an
engagement to see Erasmus Eckhart that evening in his lodgings, and then
went to the Queen of Hungary.

After he had left the Hiltners Frau Sabina bent down to her
mother-in-law's ear--though she had lost her quickness of hearing, she
had retained her sight perfectly--and, raising her voice, told her the
name of the young lady who had just left them. Then she asked if she,
too, did not admire Barbara's beauty, and what she thought of her.

The grandmother nodded, exclaiming in a low tone, "Beautiful,
beautiful--a wonderfully beautiful creature!" Then she gazed
thoughtfully into vacancy, and at last asked whether she had heard
correctly that Jungfrau Blomberg was also a remarkable singer.

Her daughter-in-law eagerly nodded assent to this question.

The aged woman silently bowed her head, but quickly raised it again, and
there was a faint tinge of regret in her voice as she began: "Too much,
certainly too much. Such marvels are rare. But one thing or the
other. For women of her stamp there are only two conditions, and no
other--rapturous happiness and utter misery. She will be content with no
average. It does not suit such natures."

Here she paused abruptly, for Martina entered the room, and with
affectionate solicitude said to her granddaughter: "Young Trainer was
here just now. Has anything happened between you? I see by your eyes
that you have been weeping."

CHAPTER XXI.

The Emperor Charles loved his sister Mary, and he now desired to show
her how dear she was to his heart. She had been obligi