of fine Brabant
stuff fitted as if moulded to her figure, and it was difficult to imagine
anything neater than her whole appearance.

Adrian had certainly attained an exceptional position among his class,
yet Barbara wondered how he had won this woman, who apparently belonged
to a far higher station. And then what had brought her to this place and
her companionship?

She was to learn during the meal, for Frau Dubois not only answered her
questions kindly, but in a manner which showed Barbara sincere sympathy
for her position.

She was the daughter of a captain who had fallen in the Emperor Charles's
service before Padua. The pension granted to his widow had not been paid,
and when, with her daughter, she sought an audience with the commander in
chief, the influential valet had seen the blooming girl, and did not seek
her hand in vain. Maternal joys had been denied her; besides, Frau Dubois
thought it hard that her husband was obliged to accompany the Emperor,
who could not spare him for a single day, on his long and numerous
journeys. Even the very comfortable life secured to her by the
distinguished valet, who was respected by men of the highest rank, by no
means consoled her for it.

The Emperor Charles knew this, and had given Adrian a pretty house in the
park of the Brussels palace, besides favouring him in other ways. Now he
had allowed him, before setting out for the war, to send for his wife. On
reaching Landshut, she had shared during a few hours the little house
which the monarch and general had chosen for his lodgings. The imperial
commander had not gone up to the citadel because he wished to remain
among his troops.

True, the little farmhouse on the "hohen Gred" which he occupied was
anything but a suitable abode for a powerful sovereign, for above the
ground floor it had only a single story with five small windows and an
unusually high roof. But, on the other hand, the regiments lying encamped
near it could be quickly reached. Another reason for making the choice
was that he could obtain rest here better than on the Trausnitz, for his
health was as bad as his appearance and his mood. He intended to break up
the headquarters on the day after to-morrow, so another separation
awaited the valet and his wife.

When the mounted messenger sent by Frau Lamperi reached Landshut, and it
was necessary to find a suitable companion for Barbara, the Emperor
himself had thought of Fran Dubois.

There had been no