ion about art, its problems, means and
purposes, afforded her the highest, purest happiness.

When she had discharged the duties imposed upon her by her attendance
upon the queen, her heart drew her to the man she loved and honored. When
she left him, it always seemed as if she had been in church, as if her
soul had been steeped in purity and was effulgent. Moor had hoped to find
her sisters with her in Madrid, but the old Cavaliere had taken them away
with him to Italy. His "trust in God" was rewarded, for he had inherited
a large fortune. What should he do longer in Madrid! To entertain the
stiff, grave Spaniards and move them to laughter, was a far less pleasing
occupation than to make merry with gay companions and be entertained
himself at home.

Sophonisba was provided for, and the beautiful, gay, famous maid of honor
would have no lack of suitors. Against his daughter's wish, he had given
to the richest and most aristocratic among them, the Sicilian baron Don
Fabrizio di Moncada, the hope of gaining her hand. "Conquer the fortress!
When it yields--you can hold it," were his last words; but the citadel
remained impregnable, though the besieger could bring into the field as
allies a knightly, aristocratic bearing, an unsullied character, a
handsome, manly figure, winning manners, and great wealth.

Ulrich felt a little disappointed not to find the five young girls, of
whom he had dreamed, in Madrid; it would have been pleasant to have some
pretty companions in the work now to begin.

Adjoining the studio was a smaller apartment, separated from the former
room by a corridor, that could be closed, and by a heavy curtain. Here a
table, at which the five girls might easily have found room, was placed
in a favorable light for Ulrich. He was to draw from plastic models, and
there was no lack of these in the Alcazar, for here rose a high,
three-story wing, to which when wearied by the intrigues of statecraft
and the restraints of court etiquette, King Philip gladly retired,
yielding himself to the only genial impulse of his gloomy soul, and
enjoyed the noble forms of art.

In the round hall on the lower floor countless plans, sketches, drawings
and works of art were kept in walnut chests of excellent workmanship.
Above this beautifully ornamented apartment--was the library, and in the
third story the large hall containing the masterpieces of Titian.

The restless statesman, Philip, was no less eager to collect and obt