saved for the second time, the latter expressed his pleasure
by a warm "We are indebted to you for it again "; but when Mathys asked
if he did not intend to hasten Barbara's recovery by paying her a visit,
though only for a few moments, the Emperor looked into the grave
countenance of the physician, in whom he noticed an embarrassment usually
foreign to him, and said firmly, "Unfortunately, my dear Mathys, I must
deny myself this pleasure."

The other bowed with a sorrowful face, for Barbara's dearest wish had
been refused. But the Emperor saw what was passing in the mind of the man
whom he esteemed, and in a lighter tone added: "So even your invulnerable
dragon hide was not proof against the shafts--you know! If I see aright,
something else lies near your heart. My refusal--that is easily
seen--annoys you; but, much as I value your good opinion, Mathys, it is
firm. The more difficult I found it to regain my peace of mind, the more
foolish it would be to expose it to fresh peril. Now, if ever, I must
shun every source of agitation. Think! With the banning, the general's
work begins. How you look at me! Well, yes! You, too, know how easy it is
for the man who has most to do to spare a leisure hour which the person
without occupation does not find, and neither of us is accustomed to
deceive the other. Besides, it would be of little avail. So, to cut the
matter short, I am unwilling to see Barbara again and awaken false hopes
in her mind! But even these plain words do not seem to satisfy you."

"By your Majesty's permission," replied the leech, "deeply as I regret it
for the invalid's sake, I believe, on the contrary, that you are choosing
the right course. But I have only discharged the first part of my
patient's commission. Though I have no pleasant tidings to take back to
her, I am still permitted to tell her the truth. But your Majesty, by
avoiding an interview with the poor girl, will spare yourself a sad, nay,
perhaps a painful hour."

"Did the disease so cruelly mar this masterpiece of the Creator?" asked
the Emperor. "With so violent a fever it was only too natural," replied
the physician. "Time and what our feeble skill can do will improve her
condition, I hope, but--and this causes the poor girl the keenest
suffering--the unfortunate inflammation of the bronchial tubes most
seriously injures the tone of her clear voice."

"Ah!" exclaimed the startled Emperor with sincere compassion. "Do
everything in your pow