her to do
this, but her wish to put a wreath of roses on the young girl's head,
according to the fashion of the day, was denied, because Eva thought it
more seemly to appear unadorned, and not as if decked for a festival when
she approached the Emperor as a petitioner. The woman whose life had been
spent at court perceived the wisdom of this idea, and at last rejoiced
that she had not obtained her wish; for when her work was finished Eva
looked so bewitching and yet so pure and modest, that nothing could be
removed or--even were it the wreath of roses--added without injuring the
perfect success of her masterpiece.

Lack of time soon compelled the young girl to interrupt the exclamations
of admiration uttered by the skilful tiring woman herself, her little
daughter, the maidservant, and the friend whom Fran Gertrude had invited
to come in as if by accident.

While following the warder's wife through various corridors and rooms,
Eva thought of the hour in her own home before the dance at the Town
Hall, and it seemed as if not days but a whole life intervened, and she
was a different person, a complete contrast in most respects to the Eva
of that time.

Before the dance she had secretly rejoiced in the applause elicited by
her appearance; now she was indifferent to it--nay, the more eagerly the
spectators expressed their delight the more she grieved that the only
person whom she desired to please was not among them.

How easy it had been to be led to the dance, and how hard was the errand
awaiting her! Her heart shrank before the doubt awakened by the flood of
light pouring from the windows of the imperial residence; the doubt
whether her lover would not avoid her if--ah, had it only been
possible!--if he should meet her among the guests yonder; whether the
eloquent Father Ignatius, who had followed him, might not already have
won from the knight a vow compelling him to turn from her and summon all
his strength of will to forget her.

But, no! He could no more renounce his love than she hers. She would not,
dare not, let such terrible thoughts torture her now.

Heinz was far away, and the fate of her love would be decided later. The
cause of her presence here was something very different, and the
conviction that it was good, right, and certain of his approval,
dispelled the pain that had overpowered her, and raised her courage.

Unspeakably hard trials lay behind her, and harder ones must, perhaps,
yet be vanquish