by which the Cortes recognised Don Carlos as the heir to the throne, John
had been summoned directly after the Infant as the first person entitled
to homage.

Next, she learned that he had entered the famous University of Alcala de
Henares.

And his classmates and friends? They were no less important personages
than Don Carlos himself and Alessandro Farnese, John's nephew, the son of
that Ottavio at whose admission as Knight of the Golden Fleece Barbara
had made at Landshut the most difficult resolution of her life.

He was said to share everything with these distinguished companions, and
to be himself the handsomest and most attractive of the illustrious trio.
He was particularly inseparable from Alessandro, the son of the woman now
ruling as regent in Brussels, who was John's sister.

What reply would he have made to this illustrious scion of one of the
most ancient and noble royal races if a letter from her had reached him,
and the duke's son had asked, "Who is this Frau Barbara Blomberg?" or, as
she now signed herself, "Madame de Blomberg"?

The answer must have been: "My mother."

Oh, no, no, never!

It would have been cruel to expect this from him; never would she place
her beloved child, her pride, her joy, in so embarrassing a position.

Besides, though she could only watch him from a distance, thanks to his