presses it deeply on his soul and only breathes and moves in it, no
longer has any taint of baseness; he soars high above the earth, and
knows nothing of misery and death. It is with Art the Divinity bridges
space and descends to man, to draw him up ward to brighter worlds. This
word transfigures everything, and brings fresh green shoots even from the
dry wood of souls defrauded of love and hope. Life is a thorny rose-bush,
and Art its flower. Here Mirth is melancholy--Joy is sorrowful and
Liberty is dead. Here Art withers and--like an exotic--is prevented
perishing outright only by artificial culture. But there is a land, I
know it well, for it is my home--where Art buds and blossoms and throws
its shade over all the highways. Favorite of Antonio, knight of the
Word--you must go to Italy!"

Sophonisba had spoken. He must go to Italy. The home of Titian! Raphael!
Buonarotti! where also the Master went to school.

"Oh, Word, Word!" he cried exultingly in his heart. "What other can
disclose, even on earth, such a glimpse of the joys of Paradise."

When he left Sophonisba, he felt as if he were intoxicated.

What still detained him in Madrid?

Moor's zechins were not yet exhausted, and he was sure of the assistance
of the "word" upon the sacred soil of Italy.

He unfolded his plan to Coello without delay, at first modestly, then
firmly and defiantly. But the court-artist would not let him go. He knew
how to maintain his composure, and even admitted that Ulrich must travel,
but said it was still too soon. He must first finish the work he had
undertaken in the riding-school, then he himself would smooth the way to
Italy for him. To leave him, so heavily burdened, in the lurch now, would
be treating him ungratefully and basely.

Ulrich was forced to acknowledge this, and continued to paint on the
scaffold, but his pleasure in creating was spoiled. He thought of nothing
but Italy.

Every hour in Madrid seemed lost. His lofty purposes were unsettled, and
he began to seek diversion for his mind, especially at the fencing-school
with Sanchez Coello.

His eye was keen, his wrist pliant, and his arm was gaining more and more
of his father's strength, so he soon performed extraordinary feats.

His remarkable skill, his reserved nature, and the natural charm of his
manner soon awakened esteem and regard among the young Spaniards, with
whom he associated.

He was invited to the banquets given by the wealthier ones, and to