ssible. Had I been of a more obstinate nature, I would stay; but there
really are matters to be settled in the Netherlands which can not be
deferred, and the manner of his farewell showed plainly enough that he no
longer needed me. Merciful Heaven! When we parted yesterday, I dreaded
his Majesty's anger. I had left him in the lurch to gratify my own love
for copse and forest. I had remained beyond the allotted time, and had
resolved, bend or break, to return to my post in Brussels. When I rode in
here I really felt as though I was entering the lion's den. But then came
miracle after miracle. Do you know something, Luis? The best results have
often followed my most reckless acts."

"Probably because even your Majesty's least prudent deeds merit a modest
reward," replied Quijada, "and because, besides the heavenly powers,
there are also less estimable ones that meddle with the affairs of this
world."

"Perhaps so!" exclaimed the Queen, astonished at this idea. "Perhaps the
Prince of Darkness finds pleasure in this affair, and, as a fair-minded
devil, is grateful to me. One thing is certain: What a woman of my age
could not tell her daughter or--if she has none--her young niece, she
should not meddle with. All this is by no means pleasing to me, and yet,
Luis, yet We ought to rejoice in this love affair, not only for
ourselves, but for his Majesty. De Soto, too, I know, is satisfied; nay,
it seems as if he saw a special act of divine favour in this late blazing
of the flames of love in a heart whose fires had apparently burned out."

"Wherever this passion originates," observed Quijada, "it seems to have
had a good influence upon his Majesty's mood. It is said that Satan often
designs evil and yet works good, and if this late and very tender emotion
is a gift of hell, it nevertheless affords our sovereign lord unexpected
and therefore all the more exquisite joys."

"In whose behalf it may also be said that they are numbered among those
which can hardly be approved, or even forbidden ones," the regent eagerly
interrupted. "But no matter! Happy is he whose pathway at the beginning
of life's evening is once more so brilliantly illumined by the sun of
love. In my devotion to the duties of government and the chase, I have
not yet wholly forgotten enthusiasm. Whoever has once been really young
retains this advantage, and I have, Luis. Therefore I could envy my
beloved brother to-day no less sincerely than I pitied him yesterda