She suffered it to remain on her beautiful face only a few minutes, but it gave me reason enough to urge you to sound a warning if his Majesty's late love should render him more yielding than is desirable." "The warned man will heed what prescient wisdom enjoins upon him," the major-domo protested, with his hand upon his heart.

"But if I know his Majesty, his strong and well-warranted sense of imperial dignity will render my attentive solicitude needless.

The moment that the singer assails it will put a speedy end to my royal master's love." The Queen shook her head, and answered doubtfully: "If only you do not undervalue the blind boy-god's power! Yet it must be owned that your theory has a certain degree of justification." She went to the window as she spoke, and added: "Karlowitz, the minister of Duke Maurice of Saxony, is leaving the house.

He looks pleased, and if he has come to an agreement with the Bishop of Arras, that will also help to put the Emperor in a pleasant mood--" "And all of us!" exclaimed Quijada, grasping his sword hilt.

"If this energetic young prince, with his military ability and his army, joins us, why, then----" "Then there will be war," interrupted the Queen, completing the sentence; "then there will be great joy among you younger, belligerent Castilians! What do you care for the tears of mothers and the blood of husbands and sons?
Both will flow in streams, and, even if we were certain of victory--which we are not--what will the gain be ?" "Triumph, the restored unity of Holy Church!" cried Quijada enthusiastically.
"For which I daily pray," said the regent.