,
who would not arrive until the following morning, and, after a brief
conversation with Malfalconnet and Master Adrian, the loyal nobleman had
gone without delay, and at the risk of angering him, to his imperial
master. Without even rising from the divan, and still clasping the hand
which Barbara attempted to withdraw as Don Luis advanced, Charles asked
with stern rebuke what had caused his entrance at so late an hour.
Quijada requested a brief audience, but Charles replied that he had
nothing to conceal from this companion.

A low bow followed this remark; then, with quiet dignity, the major-domo
reported that the leaders of the orchestra and the boy choir had been
waiting below--and with them Sir Wolf Hartschwert and an old gentleman,
the father of this lady--a considerable time for her return. So it seemed
to him advisable, unless his majesty wished to reveal this sweet secret
to the world, to part from his beautiful friend, at least for a short
space.

The Emperor Charles did not permit such suggestions even from those who
were nearest and dearest to him, and he was already starting up
indignantly to thrust Don Luis back behind the barriers through which he
had broken, when Barbara with tender persuasion entreated her lover, for
her sake, to exercise caution. Charles at last consented to part from her
for a time. He was sure of her; for he read in the dewy brightness of her
eyes how hard it was for her also to release herself from his embrace.

Then, removing the diamond and ruby star from the lace at his neck, he
pinned it on Barbara's bosom, with the exclamation, "In memory of this
hour!"

He afterward added, as if in explanation, that the star might show to
those below what had detained her here, and asked earnestly whether he
might hope to see her again in an hour, if a faithful man--here he
motioned to Quijada--accompanied her hither, and later escorted her home
again?

A silent nod promised the fulfilment of this request.

The Emperor then carried on a short conversation with Quijada, which was
unintelligible to Barbara; and after he had retired to summon the
marquise, Charles profited, like an impetuous youth, by the brief period
in which he was again alone with his love, and entreated her to consider
that, if she remained absent long, the "amore langueo" would rob him of
his reason.

"Your great intellect," she replied, with a faint sigh. "My small
wits--Holy Virgin!--flew far away at the first wor