nce from her or his
love grew cold.

The deep impression which this information made upon the girl surprised
Adrian. While he was speaking her large eyes dilated more and more, and
with hurried breathing she listened until he had finished. Then pressing
both hands upon her temples, she frantically exclaimed: "But that is
horrible! it is base and unworthy! I will not be a prisoner--! will not,
can not bear it! My whole heart is his, and never belonged to any other;
but, rather than be unable to take a step that is not watched, like the
Sultan's female slaves, I will return to my father."

Here she hesitated; for the first time since she had entered Prebrunn
she remembered the old man who for her sake had been sent out into the
world. But she soon went on more calmly: "I even permitted my father to
be taken from me and sent away, perhaps to death. I gave everything to
my sovereign, and if he wants my life also," she continued with fresh
emotion, "he may have it; but the existence of a caged bird!--that will
destroy me."

Here the sensible man interrupted her with the assurance that no one,
last of all his Majesty, thought of restricting her liberty more than
was reasonable. She would be permitted to walk and to use her horses
exactly as she pleased, only the object of her walks and rides must be
one which she could mention to her royal lover without timidity.

Barbara, still with quickened breathing, then put the question how she
could know this; and Adrian, with a significant smile, replied that
her heart would tell her, and if it should ever err--of this he was
certain--the Emperor Charles.

With these words he took leave of her to go, on behalf of his master, to
the marquise, and Barbara stood motionless for some time, gazing after
him.

In the Golden Cross Quijada asked Adrian what he thought of the singer,
and it was some time ere he answered deliberately: "If only I knew
exactly myself, your lordship--I am only a plain man, who wishes every
one the best future. Here I do so out of regard for his Majesty, Sir
Wolf Hartschwert, and the inexperienced youth of this marvellously
beautiful creature. But if you were to force me by the rack to form a
definite opinion of her, I could not do it. The most favourable would
not be too good, the reverse scarcely too severe. To reconcile such
contrasts is beyond my power. She is certainly something unusual, that
will fit no mould with which I am familiar."

"If you had a