ed." The golden
reward possessed little temptation for Ulrich, but he allowed himself to
be persuaded by his senior, and drew and painted horses and mares with
pleasure and success, working with Isabella and Coello's pupil, Felice
de Liano, when they sketched and painted from living models. When the
scaffolding was erected in the winter riding-school, he went there under
the court-artist's direction, to measure, arrange and finally transfer
the painter's sketches to the wide surfaces.

He did this with increasing satisfaction, for though Coello's sketches
possessed a certain hardness, they were boldly devised and pleased him.

The farther he progressed, the more passionately interested he became
in his work. To create on a grand scale delighted him, and the fully
occupied life, as well as the slight fatigue after his work was
done, which was sweetened by the joy of labor accomplished, were all
beautiful, enjoyable things; yet Ulrich felt that this was not exactly
the right course, that a steeper, more toilsome path must lead to the
height he desired to attain.

He lacked the sharp spurring to do better and better, the censure of a
master, who was greatly his superior. Praise for things, which did not
satisfy himself, vexed him and roused his distrust.

Isabella, and--after his return--Sophonisba, were his confidantes.

The former had long felt what he now expressed. Her young heart clung to
him, but she loved in him the future great artist as much as the man.
It was certainly no light matter for her to be deprived of Ulrich's
society, yet she unselfishly admitted that her father, in the vast
works he had undertaken, could not be a teacher like Moor, and it would
probably be best for him to seek his old master in Flanders, as soon as
his task in the riding-school was completed.

She said this, because she believed it to be her duty, though sadly and
anxiously; but he joyously agreed with her, for Sophonisba had handed
him a letter from the master, in which the latter cordially invited him
to come to Antwerp.

Don Fabrizio's wife summoned him to her palace, and Ulrich found her as
kind and sympathizing as when she had been a girl, but her gay, playful
manner had given place to a more quiet dignity.

She wished to be told in detail all he had suffered for Moor, how he
employed himself, what he intended to do in the future; and she even
sought him more than once in the riding-school, watched him at his work,
and ex