made her happy.

The man in the litter had been only the wreck of the Charles whom she
loved; even the fiery light in his eyes, though not extinguished, had
appeared subdued and veiled. Other women would probably have thought him
repulsively plain, but what did she care for his looks? Each of them was
still a part of the other, for her image lived in his soul, as his dwelt
in hers.

Barbara did not take as long a walk as usual; but when she was again
approaching the house occupied by the abdicated sovereign, Dr. Mathys
came toward her. The expression of his broad, dignified face suited the
bright May morning; nay, she imagined that his step was lighter and less
sedate than usual.

During the whole decade which they had known each other he had never
flattered her, but to-day, after the first greeting, he began his
conversation with the question:

"Do you know, Frau Barbara, that you were never more beautiful and
charming than just at this very time? Perhaps it is the mourning which is
so becoming to your pink-and-white complexion and the somewhat subdued
lustre of your golden hair. But why do I feed your vanity with such
speeches? Because I think that our gracious lord, who for many a long day
has not bestowed even the least side glance upon any of your bewitching
sex, noticed the same thing. And now you will presently be obliged to
admit that the old messenger of bad news in Ratisbon, whom you requited
so ill for his unpleasant errand, can also bring good tidings; for the
Emperor Charles--in spite of the abdication, he will always be that until
he, too, succumbs to the power which makes us all equal--his Majesty
sends you his greetings, and the message that he desires to do what he
can to restore to you the art in which you attained such rare mastery. He
places at your disposal--this time, at least, he was not economical--a
sum which will take you to the healing springs four or five times, nay,
oftener still."

Barbara had listened thus far, speechless with joyful surprise. If it was
Charles to whom she owed her recovery, the gift of song which it restored
would possess tenfold value for her, if that was conceivable. She was
already beginning to charge the leech to be the bearer of her gratitude
and joy, but he did not let her finish, and went on to mention the
condition which his Majesty attached to this gift.

Barbara must never mention it to any one, and must promise the physician
to refrain from all attempts