could remember
the happiness which had once raised her to its loftiest height. She
could and must atone for her sin and his by prayers and pious exercises.
To return to the low estate whence he had raised her must appear
disgraceful to herself. How could one who had once dined at the table
of the gods still relish the fare of mortals? Even now it seemed
inconceivable to him that she could oppose his will. Yet if she did,
he would withdraw his aid. He no longer loved her. In this hour she was
little more to him than the modest casket to which was confided a jewel
of inestimable value, an object of anxiety and care. The determination
which he had confided to his physician was as immovable as everything
which he had maturely considered. Don Luis Quijada should provide for
its execution.

CHAPTER IV.

Dr. Mathys had himself carried in the litter from the Golden Cross to
Barbara.

This errand was a disagreeable one, for, though the Emperor's remark
that he had yielded to the rare charm of this woman was not true, his
kindly heart had become warmly attached to Barbara. For the first
time he saw in her the suffering which often causes a metamorphosis in
certain traits in a sick person's character extend their transforming
power to the entire nature. Passionate love for her art gave her the
ability to maintain with punctilious exactness the silence which he had
been compelled to impose upon her, and the once impetuous, obstinate
creature obeyed his directions and wishes with the patience of a docile
child.

The manner in which, after he permitted her to speak, she had disclosed
in a low whisper her happy yet disquieting secret, hovered before him
now as one of the most pathetic incidents in a life full of varied
experiences.

How touchingly deep misery and the greatest rapture, gloomy anxiety
and radiant joy, bitter dread and sweet anticipation, despairing
helplessness and firm confidence had looked forth at him from the
beautiful face whose noble outlines were made still more delicate by the
illness through which she had passed! He could not have refused even a
more difficult task to this petitioner.

Now he was returning from the Emperor, and he felt like a vanquished
general.

In what form was he to clothe the bad news which he was bringing to the
convalescent girl? Poor child! How heavily she had to atone for her sin,
and how slight was his own and every other influence upon the man, great
even in his self