execution. Something new and powerful, rising from the inmost depth of
the soul, a passion of devout exaltation, rang in her voice which he had
not perceived during the first rehearsals. Her art seemed to him to grow
under his eyes like a wonderful plant, and the quiet, reserved man
expressed his delight so unequivocally that the Emperor beckoned to him
and asked his opinion of the singer's performance.

The musician expressed with unreserved warmth the emotions that filled
his honest heart; but the monarch listened approvingly, and drew from his
finger a costly ring to bestow it upon the discoverer of this glorious
jewel.

The leader of the choir, it is true, declined this title of honour to
award it to Sir Wolf Hartschwert; but the Emperor asserted that he was
grateful to him also for many a service, and then ordered the gold chain,
which had long been intended for him, to be brought for Maestro Gombert.

After these tokens of favour, which awakened the utmost surprise in those
who were present, as the Emperor very rarely yielded to such impulses of
generosity, the monarch's eyes sought Barbara's, and his glance seemed to
say: "For your sake, love. Thus shall those who have deserved it from
you be rewarded."

Finally he accosted her, intentionally raising his voice as he did so.

Word for word was intended to be heard by every one, even the remark that
he wished to make the acquaintance of her father, whom he remembered as a
brave comrade. Barbara would oblige him if she would request him to call
upon him that afternoon. It was his duty to thank the man through whose
daughter he enjoyed such lofty pleasure.