retired the valet entreated Barbara to beware of the
advice of this woman, whose designs he saw perfectly. He, Adrian, would
wish her to have a companion of nobler nature and more delicate
perceptions.

But this warning seemed scarcely endurable to Barbara. Although she did
not fly into a passion again, she asked in an irritated tone whether
Adrian had been granted the power of looking into another's soul. What
she perceived with absolute certainty in Frau Lerch, who, as her dead
mother's maid, had tended her as a child, was great faithfulness and
secrecy and the most skilful hands. Still, she promised to remember his
well-meant counsel.

Adrian's warning always to consider what a position her lord occupied in
the world, and to beware of crossing the border line which separated the
monarch from his subjects, and even from those who were of the highest
rank and dearest to him, was gratefully received, for she remembered the
sharp rebuff which she had already experienced from her lover. It proved
this excellent man's good will toward her, and her eyes fairly hung upon
his lips as he informed her of some of his master's habits and
peculiarities which she must regard. He warned her, with special
earnestness, not to allow herself to be used by others to win favour or
pardon for themselves or their kindred. She might perhaps find means for
it later; now she would at once awaken in the extremely suspicious
monarch doubt of her unselfishness.

This was certainly good advice, and Barbara confessed to the valet that
the marquise had requested her at dinner that day to intercede for her
unfortunate son, who, unluckily, had the misfortune to be misunderstood
by the Emperor Charles. Master Adrian had expected something of the kind,
for the lady in waiting had more than once urged him also to obtain his
Majesty's pardon for this ruined profligate, the shame of his noble race.
He had persistently refused this request, and now enjoined it upon
Barbara to follow his example. Before leaving her, he undertook to send
her tidings of Wolf's health now and then by the violinist Massi, as he
had not leisure to do it himself. At the same time he earnestly entreated
her to repress her wish to see the sufferer again, and to bear in mind
that she could receive no visitor, take no step in this house or in the
city, which would not be known in the Golden Cross.

Barbara passionately demanded to know the spy who was watching her, and
whether she