in his soul feels his own insignificance and deems trivial all the
splendour and the highest honours which life can offer; and to this
genuine greatness, Luis, I intend to rear this young human plant whose
existence is due to weakness and sin."

Quijada again summoned up his courage, and observed:

"Yet, as the son of my august ruler, this child may make claims which
are of this world."

"What claims?" cried the Emperor suspiciously. "His birth?--the law
gives him none. What earthly possessions may perhaps come to him he will
owe solely to my favour, and it would choose for him the only right way.
Claims--mark this well, my friend--claims to the many things which
will remain of my greatness and power when I have closed my pilgrimage
beneath the sun, can be made by one person only--Don Philip, my oldest
son and lawful heir."

Not until after he had rested in his study did Charles resume the
interrupted conversation, and say:

"It may be that this boy will grow up into a more brilliant personality
than my son Philip; but you Castilians and faithful servants of the Holy
Church ought to rejoice that Heaven has chosen my lawful son for
your king, for he is a thorough Spaniard, and, moreover, cautious,
deliberate, industrious, devout, and loyal to duty. True, he knows not
how to win love easily, but he possesses other means of maintaining what
is his and still awaits him in the future. My pious son will not let
the gallows become empty in this land of heretical exaltation. Had the
Germans put him in my place, he would have become a gravedigger in their
evangelical countries. He never gave me what is called filial affection,
not even just now in the parting hour; yet he is an obedient son who
understands his father. Instead of a heart, I have found in him other
qualities which will render him capable of keeping his heritage in these
troubled times and preserving the Holy Church from further injury. If I
were weaker than I am, and should rear yonder splendid boy, who charmed
you also, Luis, under my own eyes with paternal affection, many an
unexpected joy might grow for me; but I still have an immense amount of
work to do, and therefore lack time to toy with a child. It is my duty
to replace this boy's claims, which I can not recognise, with higher
ones, and I will fulfill it."

CHAPTER XII.

During this conversation the violinist Massi had been to take leave of
Barbara. Pyramus, after a short stay at home, had b