be
good and unselfish, so that, in spite of your disgrace, it must honour
you." But the Emperor's command and her husband's wish were paramount.
Besides, as Barbara was situated, it could not help being better for the
child if the father provided for its education.

The soul of her charge now lay before her like an open book. The
spectacle of the brilliant honour bestowed upon Duke Ottavio Farnese had
sowed in her heart the seeds which had now ripened to resolution. She
could not know that the vivandiere's assistant on the highway, with her
abandoned child, had cast the first germ into Barbara's mind. Moreover,
she was content to be able to send such welcome tidings to the camp.
The disclosure of the resolve which she had reached after such severe
conflicts exerted a beneficial influence upon Barbara. Her eyes again
sparkled brightly, and the indifference with which she had regarded
everything that happened to herself and those about her vanished.

For the first time she asked where she was to find shelter in Ratisbon;
the Emperor's command closed Wolf's house against her; the Prebrunn
castle was only a summer residence, unfit for winter use. So it was
necessary to seek new quarters, and Barbara did not lack proposals.
But the answer from camp must be awaited, and it came sooner than Frau
Dubois expected. The messenger who brought it was her husband. His
Majesty, he said, rejoiced at Barbara's decision, and had commissioned
him to take her at once to Ratisbon and lodge her in the Golden Cross.
The imperial apartments were still at the monarch's disposal, and the
owner of the house, whom Barbara did not wish to meet, had gone to Italy
to spend the winter.

Herr Adrian did not mention what a favour the sovereign was showing
Barbara by parting with his trusted servant for several days, but she
told herself so with joyful pride, for she had learned how greatly
Charles needed this man.

The Emperor had dismissed Quijada from attendance on his person. He
knew the Castilian's value as a soldier, and would have deemed himself
forgetful of duty had he withheld so able an assistant from the great
cause which he was leading.

At the end of the first week in November Barbara again entered the
Golden Cross in Ratisbon. The great house seemed dead, but Adrian, in
his royal master's name, provided for the comfort of the women, who had
been joined by Sister Hyacinthe.

In the name of Frau Dubois, to whom his Majesty gave it up,