Pyramus, without whom
you would now be a deserted orphan. Can you believe that in all Spain
there is no fresh butter to be had, either for bread or in the kitchen
for roast meat, but instead rancid oil, which we should think just fit
for burning?"

With deep shame Barbara realized through this letter how rarely she
remembered her father. Only since she knew positively what joy and what
anxiety awaited her had she again thought frequently of him, but
always with great fear of the old man whose head had grown gray in an
honourable life. Now the hour was approaching when she would be obliged
to confess to him what she still strove to deem a peerless favour of
Fate, for which future generations would envy her. Perhaps he who looked
up to the Emperor Charles with such enthusiastic devotion would
agree with her; perhaps what she must disclose to him would spoil the
remainder of his life. The image of the aged sufferer, lying in pain
and sorrow far from her old his home, in a stranger's house, constantly
forced itself upon her, and she often dwelt upon it, imagining it with
ingenious self-torture.

Love for another had estranged her from him who possessed the first
claim to every feeling of tenderness and gratitude in her heart. The
thought that she could do nothing for him and give him no token of her
love pierced deep into her soul. Every impulse of her being urged her
to learn further details of him and his condition. As Pyramus Kogel was
staying in Landshut, she wrote a note entreating him, if possible, to
come to Ratisbon to tell her about her father, or, if this could not be,
to inform her by letter how he fared.

There was no lack of messengers going to Landshut, and the answer was
not delayed. During these war times, Pyramus answered, he was not his
own master even for a moment; therefore he must deny himself a visit
to her, and he also lacked time for a detailed account by letter. If,
however, she could resolve to do him the honour of a visit, he would
promise her a more cordial reception than he had experienced on her
side. For the rest, her father was being carefully nursed, and his life
was no longer in danger.

At first Barbara took this letter for an ungenerous attempt of the
insulted man to repay the humiliation which he had received from her;
but the news from the throngs of troops pouring into the city made the
officer's request appear in a milder light, and the longing to ascertain
her father's conditio