w often Philip secretly visited the latter.

At every succeeding interview Kochel asked, as if by chance, in the
midst of a conversation about other things: "Has the king honored you
again?" or "You happy people, it is reported that the king has shown you
his face again."

This "you" flattered Ulrich, for it allowed a ray of the royal favor
to fall upon him also, so he soon informed his countryman, unasked, of
every one of the monarch's visits to the treasury.

Weeks and months elapsed.

Towards the close of his first year's residence in Madrid, Ulrich
spoke Spanish with tolerable fluency, and could easily understand his
fellow-pupils; nay, he had even begun to study Italian.

Sophonisba Anguisciola still spent all her leisure hours in the studio,
painting or conversing with Moor. Various dignitaries and grandees
also went in and out of the studio, and among them frequently appeared,
indeed usually when Sophonisba was present, her faithful admirer Don
Fabrizio di Moncada.

Once Ulrich, without listening, heard Moor through the open door of the
school-room, represent to her, that it was unwise to reject a suitor
like the baron; he was a noble, high-minded gentleman and his love
beyond question.

Her answer was long in coming; at last she rose, saying in an agitated
voice: "We know each other, Master; I know your kind intentions. And
yet, yet! Let me remain what I am, however insignificant that may be.
I like the baron, but what better gifts can marriage bestow, than I
already possess? My love belongs to Art, and you--you are my friend....
My sisters are my children. Have I not gained the right to call them
so? I shall have no lack of duties towards them, when my father has
squandered his inheritance. My noble queen will provide for my future,
and I am necessary to her. My heart is filled--filled to the brim; I do
what I can, and is it not a beautiful thought, that I am permitted to
be something to those I love? Let me remain your Sophonisba, and a free
artist."

"Yes, yes, yes! Remain what you are, girl!" Moor exclaimed, and then for
a long time silence reigned in the studio.

Even before they could understand each other's language, a friendly
intercourse had existed between Isabella and her German fellow-pupil,
for in leisure moments they had sketched each other more than once.

These pictures caused much laughter and often occasional harmless
scuffles between Ulrich and Sanchez, for the latter liked to lay