time I believe you will have no cause to repent
your hasty oath. Since death robbed our sovereign lord of his wife, and
the gout has prevented his enjoyment of the chief pleasures of
life--hunting, the tournament, and the other pastimes which people of our
rank usually pursue--in what can he find diversion? The masterpieces of
painters and other artists, the inventions of mechanicians and
clock-makers, and the works of scholars have no place here, but
probably----"

"Then it is the noble art of music which your Majesty has in view,"
Quijada eagerly interrupted. "Admirable! For, since the days of King Saul
and the harper David----"

"There is certainly no better remedy for melancholy," said the Queen,
completing the exclamation of the loyal man. "But it could affect no one
more favourably than the Emperor. You yourself know how keen a
connoisseur he is, and how often this has been confirmed by our greatest
masters. Need I remind you of the high mass in Cologne, at which the
magnificent singing seemed fairly to reanimate him after the defection of
the heretical archbishop--which threatens to have a disastrous influence
upon my Netherlanders also--had robbed him of the last remnant of his
enjoyment of life, already clouded? The indignation aroused by the German
princes, and the difficult decision to which their conduct is forcing
him, act upon his soul like poison. But hesitation is not in my nature,
so I thought: Let us have music--good, genuine music. Then I sent a
mounted messenger to order Gombert, the conductor of his orchestra, and
the director of my choir of boys, to bring their musicians to Ratisbon.
The whole company will arrive this evening. Dash forward is my motto, and
not only while in the saddle during the chase. But, Luis, you must now
tell me--"

"That your Majesty's sisterly affection has discovered the only right
course," cried Quijada, deeply touched, pressing his lips respectfully to
the flowing sleeve of her robe.

The major--domo's assurance undoubtedly sprang from the depths of his
heart, yet the doubts which the hasty action of the vivacious sovereign
aroused in his mind compelled him to represent to her, though with the
courteous caution which his position demanded, that her bold measure
might only too easily arouse the displeasure of the person whom it was
intended to benefit. The expense it would entail especially troubled
Quijada, and the Queen herself appeared surprised when he estimated th