who was respected by men of the highest
rank, by no means consoled her for it.

The Emperor Charles knew this, and had given Adrian a pretty house in
the park of the Brussels palace, besides favouring him in other ways.
Now he had allowed him, before setting out for the war, to send for his
wife. On reaching Landshut, she had shared during a few hours the little
house which the monarch and general had chosen for his lodgings. The
imperial commander had not gone up to the citadel because he wished to
remain among his troops.

True, the little farmhouse on the "hohen Gred" which he occupied was
anything but a suitable abode for a powerful sovereign, for above the
ground floor it had only a single story with five small windows and
an unusually high roof. But, on the other hand, the regiments lying
encamped near it could be quickly reached. Another reason for making the
choice was that he could obtain rest here better than on the Trausnitz,
for his health was as bad as his appearance and his mood. He intended
to break up the headquarters on the day after to-morrow, so another
separation awaited the valet and his wife.

When the mounted messenger sent by Frau Lamperi reached Landshut, and
it was necessary to find a suitable companion for Barbara, the Emperor
himself had thought of Fran Dubois.

There had been no opposition to his wish. Besides, she said, his Majesty
meant kindly by Barbara and, so far as her power extended, everything
should be done to soften her hard destiny.

She knew the whole history of the girl intrusted to her care, yet she
would scarcely have undertaken the task committed to her had she not
been aware that every determination of the Emperor was immovable.
Besides, she could also strive to render the hard fate imposed upon the
poor girl more endurable.

Barbara had listened eagerly to the story without interrupting her; then
she desired to learn further particulars concerning the health of the
man from whom even now her soul could not be sundered and, finally, she
urged her to talk about herself.

So time passed with the speed of the wind. The candles in the
candelabrum were already half burned down when Fran Dubois at last urged
going to rest.

Barbara felt that she was fortunate to have found so kind and sensible a
companion and, while the Rhinelander was helping her undress, she begged
her in future to call her by her Christian name "Gertrud," or, as people
liked to address her, "Frau Tra