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 been obliged to depart
again to an inspection in Lowen, and the musician was sorry not to find
his friend. He did not know to whom the child that had been intrusted to
his care belonged, and, as he had bound himself by a solemn oath to
maintain secrecy toward every one, he did not utter a word to Barbara
about the boy and the obligations which he had undertaken.

The parting was a sad one to the young wife, for in Massi she lost not
only a tried friend, but as it were a portion of her former life. He had
been a witness of the fairest days which Fate had granted her; he had
heard her sing when she had been justified in feeling proud of her art;
and he had been intimate with Wolf Hartschwert, whom she remembered with
affectionate interest, though he had only informed her once in a brief
letter that he was prospering in Villagarcia and his new position. While
with tearful eyes she bade Massi farewell, she gave him messages of
remembrance to Wolf; and the violinist, no less agitated than herself,
promised to deliver them. He was hopefully anticipating a cheerful
evening of life in the midst of his family. Existence had promised
Barbara higher things, but she seemed to have found the power to be
content. At least he had heard no complaint from her lips, and her
husband had often told him o