Certainly this German bears so little resemblance to her----" "That I most humbly entreat your Majesty," interposed Quijada with haughty decision, "not to compare these two women, even by way of contrast." "B-r-r!" said the regent, extending her hands toward him as if to repel an assault.

"Yet I like you in this mood, Luis.

You are a true Castilian! So we will leave Dona Magdalena in her Villagarcia, and only permit myself to admire the self-sacrifice of a woman who grants a husband like you so long a leave of absence.

As to the Ratisbon maiden----" "I should be very glad to know," Quijada began, this time in a submissive tone, "by what sign your Majesty's penetration discovered this young creature's ambition." "That is soon told," replied the regent kindly.

"She specially mentioned her distinguished relatives in the city and in Landshut, and when I advised her to show due respect to the marquise, who, in spite of everything, is a woman of high rank and certainly an old lady, before whose gray hairs Scripture commands us to rise, something hovered around her lips--they are ripe for kisses--something which it is not easy to find exactly the right words to describe: a blending of repugnance, self-assertion, and resistance.