ustere of the Ratisbon spectators, for when, in a pause, Barbara, with
sparkling eyes, glanced first into the duke's face and then, with a
merry look of inquiry, at her lover, she found his features no longer
distorted by anger, but disgusted, as though he were witnessing an
unpleasant spectacle.

Nevertheless she danced a short time longer without looking at him,
until suddenly the remembrance of his reproving glance spoiled her
pleasure in this rare enjoyment.

She whispered to the duke that she was satisfied.

A wave of his hand stopped the music but, ere returning the bow of her
distinguished partner, Barbara looked for the Emperor.

Her eyes sought him in vain-he had left the turf under the lindens
before the close of the dance. The Bishop of Arras, Malfalconnet, and
several of the ladies and gentlemen who had left the tent in no small
number and gone to the scene of the dancing after learning what was
taking place there, had remained after the monarch's departure. Most
of them joined in the applause which the younger Granvelle eagerly
commenced when the city pipers lowered their instruments.

Barbara heard it, and saw that Bernhard Trainer and other young citizens
of Ratisbon were following the courtiers' example, but she seemed
scarcely to notice the demonstration.

The doubt whether Charles had merely not waited till the end of the
dance, or had already left the festival, made her forget everything
else. Through the Bishop of Arras she learned that his Majesty had gone
home.

No one, not even the baron and Quijada, had received a message for her.

This fresh humiliation pierced her heart like a knife.

On every similar occasion hitherto he had sent her a few kind words, or,
if Don Luis was the messenger, tender ones.

Yet she was obliged to force herself to smile, in order not to betray
what was passing in her mind. Besides, she could not shake off the Duke
of Saxony like the poor, handsome recruiting officer, Pyramus Kogel.

Fortunately, some of the most prominent Ratisbon citizens now crowded
around Maurice to thank him for the honour which he had done the city.

She availed herself of the favourable opportunity to beg Granvelle, in
a low tone, to keep the duke away from her the next morning until his
departure at noon, and, if possible, now.

"One service for another," replied the statesman. "I will rid you of the
most desirable admirer in Germany. But, on the day after to-morrow, you
will ador