hlet against the Pope,
which the young theologian had had published, that had aroused great
indignation among the priesthood. If he fell into the hands of the
Dominicans, he would be lost, as surely as she hoped to be saved. If he
were only in the custody of the city, of course a better result might be
hoped.

Here she stopped with a shriek, dropping the comb, for the thundercloud
was now directly over the city, and a loud peal, following close upon
the flash of lightning, shook the house; but Barbara scarcely heeded the
dazzling glare and the rattling panes.

She had risen with a face as white as death. She knew what severe
sentences could be pronounced by the Council of the Inquisition, and the
thought that the keenest suffering should be inflicted upon the
Hiltners through her, to whom they had showed so much kindness, seemed
unendurable. Besides, what she had just said to herself concerning
ingratitude returned to her mind.

And then, Inquisition and the rack were two ideas which could scarcely
be separated from one another. What might not be extorted from the
accused by the torture! In any case, the almoner's suspicion would
obtain fresh nourishment, and her lover had told her more than
once--what a special dislike he felt for women who, with their slender
intelligence, undertook to set themselves above the eternal truths of
the Holy Church. And the jealousy which, fool that she was, she had
desired to arouse in her lover, what abundant nourishment it would
derive from the events which had occurred on her return from the
festival!

But even these grave fears were overshadowed by the thought of Dr.
Hiltner's wife and daughter. With what fair-mindedness the former in the
Convivium had made her cause her own, how touching had been Martina's
effort to approach her, and how ill that very day she had requited their
loyal affection! Erasmus was as dear as a beloved son to these good
women, and Frau Lerch's reproach that her intercession for him was but
lukewarm had not been wholly groundless. The next day these friends who,
notwithstanding the difference in their religious belief, had treated
her more kindly than any one in Ratisbon, would hear this and condemn
her. That should not be! She would not suffer them to think of her as
she did of the shameless old woman whose footsteps she still heard over
her head.

She must not remain idly here, and what her impetuous nature so
passionately demanded must be carried int