ay again, and the music streamed forth in full, joyous tones.

The wooing notes fell into her defiant soul like sparks on dry
brushwood. She could not help dancing, though it should be her death.
Already she had begun, and with mischievous joy the thought darted
through her mind that now Charles, too, would perceive what anguish lay
in the fear of losing those whom we love.

If this grief brought him back to her, she thought, while eagerly
following the figures of the dance, she would tend him all her life like
a maidservant; if his pride severed the bond between them--that could
not be done, because he loved her--she must bear it. Doubtless the
conviction forced itself upon her superstitious mind that Fate would
be ready to ruin her by the dance, yet she executed what must bring
misfortune upon her; to retreat was no longer possible.

These thoughts darted in wild confusion in a few moments through her
burning brain, and while Maurice swung her around it seemed as if the
music reached her through the roar and thunder of breakers. The words
"Chi la gagliarda vuol imparare" constantly echoed in her ears, mocking,
reckless, urging her to retaliation.

The dancing-master, Bernandelli, whom the Council had summoned from
Milan to the Danube, had taught her and the other young people of
Ratisbon the gagliarde. The sensible teacher, to suit the taste of the
German burghers, had divested the gay dance of its recklessness. But
he had showed his best pupils with how much more freedom the Italians
performed the gagliarde, and Barbara had not forgotten the lesson. Duke
Maurice moved and guided her with the same unfettered ease that the
little maestro had displayed in former days. Willing or not, she was
obliged to follow his lead, and she did so, carried away by the demands
of her excited blood and the pleasure of dancing, so long denied,
yet with the grace and perfect ear for time which were her special
characteristics.

Neither the Ratisbon citizens nor Charles, who had been a good dancer
himself, had ever seen the gagliarde danced in this way by either
the gentleman or the lady. A better-matched couple could scarcely
be imagined than the tall, powerful, chivalrous young prince and the
beautiful, superbly formed, golden-haired girl who seemed, as it were,
carried away by the music.

But Charles did not appear to share the pleasure which the sight of
this rare couple and their dancing awakened even in the most envious and
a