the proposal. Charles
intentionally refrained from taking any personal share in the
arrangements with the old man which now followed. A communication from
Malfalconnet appeared to claim his whole attention, until the Bishop of
Arras announced that the captain had received his instructions and was
ready to set out for Flushing and Valladolid.

The monarch listened with a slight shake of the head, and expressed his
hesitation about intrusting so important a message to a man of such
advanced age; but Malfalconnet, in a tone of good-natured anxiety, called
to the captain, "One may be the father of a nightingale, my brave hero,
and yet miss the way to the south without a guide."

"True, true," the Emperor assented. "So we will give our gallant friend a
travelling companion who understands Castilian, and on whom we can also
rely. Besides, affairs of so much moment are better cared for by two
messengers than by one. What is the name of the cavalier, Malfalconnet,
who spoke to you of the friendship which unites him to this brave old
champion of the faith?"

"Wolf Hartschwert, your Majesty," was the reply.

"The musician," said the monarch, as if some memory was awakened in his
mind. "A modest fellow, whose reliability my sister praised.--And now, my
vigorous friend, a prosperous journey! Your daughter, whom the favour of
Heaven has so richly endowed with beautiful gifts, has found, I have
heard, a maternal guardian in the Marquise de Leria. We, too, will gladly
interest ourselves in the charming singer who affords us such rare
pleasure."

As he spoke he showed his old companion in arms the unusual honour of
extending his hand to him, and when the latter, deeply moved by such
graciousness, ardently kissed it, he hurriedly withdrew it, saying, as he
kindly patted his arm, "You are doing us a greater service than you
imagine, Captain Blomberg."

Then, wishing him a successful journey, he went to the writing table, on
which the secretary Gastelu had laid the newly received despatches.

Radiant with joy, the captain, making many profound bows, left the
apartment of the gracious monarch, for whom now he would really have
ridden to the world's end.

On the stairs he was detained. Malfalconnet handed him two heavy rolls of
gold for the expenses of the journey, and enjoined it upon him to be
ready to set out early the following morning. He might make his own
arrangements with Sir Wolf Hartschwert, and assure him of his Majesty'