must beware specially of the marquise, her French maid, the
Spanish priest who accompanied the old woman as her confessor, the
garde-robiere Lamperi, who nevertheless had a good face, or who else
among the servants.

On this point, however, the valet would or could give no information. He
knew only his master's nature. Just as he was better acquainted with
every province than the most experienced governor, with every band of
soldiers than the sergeant, so nothing escaped him which concerned the
private lives of those whom he valued. It need not grieve her that he
watched her so carefully. Her acts and conduct would not become a matter
of indifference to him until he withdrew his confidence from her or his
love grew cold.

The deep impression which this information made upon the girl surprised
Adrian. While he was speaking her large eyes dilated more and more, and
with hurried breathing she listened until he had finished. Then pressing
both hands upon her temples, she frantically exclaimed: "But that is
horrible! it is base and unworthy! I will not be a prisoner--! will not,
can not bear it! My whole heart is his, and never belonged to any other;
but, rather than be unable to take a step that is not watched, like the
Sultan's female slaves, I will return to my father."

Here she hesitated; for the first time since she had entered Prebrunn she
remembered the old man who for her sake had been sent out into the world.
But she soon went on more calmly: "I even permitted my father to be taken
from me and sent away, perhaps to death. I gave everything to my
sovereign, and if he wants my life also," she continued with fresh
emotion, "he may have it; but the existence of a caged bird!--that will
destroy me."

Here the sensible man interrupted her with the assurance that no one,
last of all his Majesty, thought of restricting her liberty more than was
reasonable. She would be permitted to walk and to use her horses exactly
as she pleased, only the object of her walks and rides must be one which
she could mention to her royal lover without timidity.

Barbara, still with quickened breathing, then put the question how she
could know this; and Adrian, with a significant smile, replied that her
heart would tell her, and if it should ever err--of this he was
certain--the Emperor Charles.

With these words he took leave of her to go, on behalf of his master, to
the marquise, and Barbara stood motionless for some time, gazing afte