Barbara Blomberg — Complete

by Georg Ebers

  CHAPTER XV.

  The winter came and passed. Instead of leaving the Netherlands, theEmperor Charles remained nearly a year in Brussels. He lived in a modesthouse in Lion Street and, although he had resigned the sovereignty,nothing was done in the domain of politics to which he had not given hisassent.

  Barbara, more domestic than ever before, was leading a dream life, inwhich she dwelt more with her beloved dead and her child in Spain thanwith her family at home. She thought of the boy's father sometimes withbitter resentment, sometimes with quiet pity. Outward circumstancesrendered it easier for her to conceal these feelings, for Pyramusattributed the melancholy mood which sometimes overpowered her to grieffor her father.

  Her husband left the settlement of the business connected with herinheritance solely to her. There were many letters to be written and, asshe had become unfamiliar with this art, Hannibal faithfully aided her.

  Dr. Hiltner, of Ratisbon, to whom, in spite of his heretical belief, sheintrusted the legal business of the estate, acted wisely and promptly inher behalf. Thus the sale of the house which she had purchased forthe dead man, and the disposal of her father's share in the Blombergbusiness, brought her far more money than she had expected.

  It seemed as though Fate desired to compensate her by outward prosperityfor the secret sorrow which, in spite of her husband's affectionatesolicitude and the thriving growth of her two boys, she could not shakeoff.

  In one respect she regarded the money which this winter brought her as agenuine blessing, for it seemed to invite her to go to Ems and do allin her power for the restoration of her voice. The hoarseness was nowbarely perceptible in her speech, and Dr. Mathys, whom she visited inApril, encouraged her, and told her of really marvellous cures wroughtby the famous old springs.

  When May came and the trees and shrubs in leafy Brussels adornedthemselves with new buds, she could not help thinking more frequently,as usual in this month, of her wasted love and of the man for whom ithad bloomed and who had destroyed it. So she liked to pass through LionStreet in her walks, for it led her by his house. She might easily meethim again there, and she longed to see his face once more before thedeparture for Spain, which would remove him from her sight forever.

  And behold! One sunny noon he was borne toward her in a litter. Shestopped as though spellbound, bowing profoundly; her glance as he passedmet his, and he waved his emaciated hand--yes, she was not mistaken--hewaved it to her.

  For an instant it seemed as if a crimson rose had bloomed in the midstof winter snows. She had been as sure that he had not forgotten her asthat she herself had not ceased to think of him.

  Now her confidence was, as it were, confirmed by letter and seal, andthis made her happy.

  The man in the litter had been only the wreck of the Charles whom sheloved; even the fiery light in his eyes, though not extinguished, hadappeared subdued and veiled. Other women would probably have thought himrepulsively plain, but what did she care for his looks? Each of them wasstill a part of the other, for her image lived in his soul, as his dweltin hers.

  Barbara did not take as long a walk as usual; but when she was againapproaching the house occupied by the abdicated sovereign, Dr. Mathyscame toward her. The expression of his broad, dignified face suited thebright May morning; nay, she imagined that his step was lighter and lesssedate than usual.

  During the whole decade which they had known each other he had neverflattered her, but to-day, after the first greeting, he began hisconversation with the question:

  "Do you know, Frau Barbara, that you were never more beautiful andcharming than just at this very time? Perhaps it is the mourning whichis so becoming to your pink-and-white complexion and the somewhatsubdued lustre of your golden hair. But why do I feed your vanity withsuch speeches? Because I think that our gracious lord, who for many along day has not bestowed even the least side glance upon any of yourbewitching sex, noticed the same thing. And now you will presently beobliged to admit that the old messenger of bad news in Ratisbon, whomyou requited so ill for his unpleasant errand, can also bring goodtidings; for the Emperor Charles--in spite of the abdication, he willalways be that until he, too, succumbs to the power which makes us allequal--his Majesty sends you his greetings, and the message thathe desires to do what he can to restore to you the art in which youattained such rare mastery. He places at your disposal--this time, atleast, he was not economical--a sum which will take you to the healingsprings four or five times, nay, oftener still."

  Barbara had listened thus far, speechless with joyful surprise. If itwas Charles to whom she owed her recovery, the gift of song which itrestored would possess tenfold value for her, if that was conceivable.She was already beginning to charge the leech to be the bearer of hergratitude and joy, but he did not let her finish, and went on to mentionthe condition which his Majesty attached to this gift.

  Barbara must never mention it to any one, and must promise the physicianto refrain from all attempts to thank him either in person or by letterin short, to avoid approaching him in any way.

  The old physician had communicated this stipulation--which his royalpatient had strictly associated with the gift--to Barbara in theemphatic manner peculiar to him, but she had listened, at first insurprise, then with increasing indignation. The donation which, as atoken of remembrance and kind feeling, had just rendered her so happy,now appeared like mere alms. Nay, the gift would make her inferior tothe poorest beggar, for who forbids the mendicant to utter his "May Godreward you"?

  Charles kept her aloof as if she were plague-stricken. Perhaps it wasbecause he feared that if he saw her once he might desire a second and athird meeting. But no matter. She would accept no aid at the cost of sosevere an offence to her pride, least of all when it came from the manwho had already wounded her soul often and painfully enough.

  The startled physician perceived what was passing in her mind, and when,not passionately as in her youth, but with cool composure, she requestedDr. Mathys to tell his master that it would be as impossible for her toaccept a gift for which she could not express her thanks as to give almswithout wishing well to the recipient, the leech eagerly endeavoured topersuade her to use the sum bestowed according to the donor's wish. ButBarbara firmly persisted in her refusal, and when she parted from theold man he could not be angry with her, for, as in the garden of thelittle Prebrunn castle, he could not help saying to himself that thewrong was not wholly on the side of the independent young woman.

  The result in this case was the usual one when the weaker party succeedsin maintaining itself against the superior power of the stronger.Barbara set out on her way home with her head proudly erect, but shesoon asked herself whether this victory was not too dearly purchased.In a few months John was to meet his father, and then might there not because to fear that the opposition which she, his mother, had offered tothe Emperor, in order to escape an offence to her own pride, would provean injury to the son? She stopped, hesitating; but after a brief periodof reflection, she continued her walk. What she had done might vex themonarch, but it must rather enhance than lower her value in his eyes,and everything depended upon that. Charles would open the path to highhonours and royal splendour to the son of a haughty mother rather thanto the child of a narrow-minded woman, who would receive a gift withoutbeing suffered to express her thanks.

  She had done right, and rejoiced that this time she had obeyed the voiceof her imperious soul. She no longer desired to meet again the man whomshe loved. Her wish to look into his eyes once more before his death orhers was fulfilled, and his glance, which had certainly been the lastthat he could give her, had expressed the kind feeling and forgivenessfor which she had secretly yearned. So what he had done was surely notintended to wound her. She understood his desire to obtain peace of mindand his fear of entering into communication with her again, and fromthis time it once more became a necessity to her to include him in herprayers.

  She left her home with a lighter heart, better satisfied with herselfthan she had been for years.
The Emperor Charles could not help thinkingof her now as she desired. The love which she had never wholly withdrawnwas again his, and the feeling of belonging to him exalted her pride andbrightened her clouded soul.

  Frau Lamperi accompanied her, and marvelled at her mistress's happymood. Besides, the Ems waters and the excellent advice of the physicianto whose care she intrusted herself exerted a beneficial influence uponher ailment.

  Her mourning garb prevented her from taking any part in the gay life ofthe watering-place, but she found pleasure in watching it.

  When she returned to Brussels, Pyramus thought she looked as young as inher girlhood, and every wish that her husband fancied he could read inher eyes was gratified with loving eagerness.

  But the preparations for war against France allowed him only a shorttime to remain in Brussels, and during his absence Barbara enjoyedunlimited freedom.

  The Emperor had sailed for Spain, Queen Mary had retired from theregency, and Duke Emanuel Philibert of Savoy had taken it in her place.King Philip remained in the Netherlands, and it was said in his praisethat he showed the boundless arrogance characteristic of him in a lessoffensive way, and had acquired more affable manners.

  Barbara often longed to seek an audience with him.

  But what would it avail?

  Philip was perhaps the very person who would be glad to have hishalf-brother disappear in a monastery.

  Yet the yearning to hear some news of her child would not be silenced.Of the distant Emperor, who was said to be near his end, and spent hisdays and sleepless nights in the monastery of San Yuste in prayer andsevere mortification, as the most pious of monks, she thought withsympathizing affection.

  The following year Barbara went to Ems again, this time no longer inmourning robes, but scarcely less magnificently attired than many aRhenish noble's wife, who was also seeking health and amusement there.The property she had inherited, and which the conscientious Pyramuswould not touch, and Frau Lamperi's skilful fingers had accomplishedthis. Though the materials which she selected were not the most costly,her aristocratic bearing made them appear valuable. She still possessedthe pearl necklace and other ornaments of more prosperous days, and onfestal occasions they did not remain in a chest.

  She by no means lacked notice, partly on her own account, partly inconsequence of the conversations with which Granvelle, who visited thesprings for a short time, honoured her, while he kept entirely alooffrom all the other guests. This favour on the part of so famous andpowerful a statesman induced many of the most aristocratic ladies andnobles to seek her, and many who had been attracted solely by curiositywere charmed with the entertaining sprightliness of the beautiful woman,and admitted her to their very exclusive circle.

  This time the springs proved still more beneficial than when she firstused them, and the hope of soon being able to exercise her beloved artagain gained new and solid foundation.

  This occupied a large share of her thoughts, but a still greater onewas filled with the yearning for her John, of whom, in spite of manyinquiries, she could hear nothing.

  When, in her quiet home life, the monotony of her days oppressed hermore heavily, she often remembered Ems, and the pleasures and attentionwhich the next summer there would bring her. Now that the great,passionate emotions which had been devoted to others were at rest,she began to think more of her own person. It seemed desirable to showherself to advantage, and though she longed for her recovery above allfor the sake of her art and the pleasure which its exercise affordedher, she was already secretly thinking how she could use it to restoreand obtain satisfaction for her paralyzed self-esteem.

  In consequence of the victory of St. Quentin, Brussels was filledwith festal joy; but Barbara took very little part in the numerousfestivities which followed one another, and again went to Ems.

  When she returned, much benefited, her first visit was to the Duboishouse in the park. Unfortunately, it was futile; but when, a few weeksbefore the battle of Gravelines, she repeated it for the second time,she met the couple, now advancing in years, out of doors, and saw thatsome good fortune had come to them.

  Usually she had always been received here with a certain shade ofembarrassment, but to-day her coming seemed to please Herr Adrian. Fromthe great arm-chair, which he now never left, he held out his hand toher, and Frau Traut's merry eyes looked a glad welcome.

  After the first greetings, they eagerly expressed their joyfulamazement at the clear tones of her voice. Then Frau Dubois exchangeda significant glance with her husband, and now Barbara learned that aletter had arrived from San Yuste that very morning, which containedlittle except pleasant news of his Majesty and John.

  While speaking, Adrian drew from his doublet the precious missive,showed it to the young wife as cautiously as a fragile ornament whichwe are reluctant to let pass out of our hands, and said in an agitatedvoice:

  "The writer is no less a personage than Dona Magdalena de Ulloa. MayHeaven reward her for it!"

  Barbara gazed beseechingly into his wrinkled face, and from the inmostdepths of her heart rose the cry: "Oh, let me see it, for I--you knowit--I am his mother!"

  "So she is," said the old man in a tone of assent, nodded his long head,whose hair was now snow-white, and glanced questioningly at his wife.The answer was an assent.

  Adrian clasped his chin--during the period of his service he had alwaysworn it smooth-shaven, but the white stubble of a full beard wasnow growing on it--in his emaciated hand, and asked Barbara if sheunderstood Spanish.

  Her knowledge of it was very slight; but Frau Traut, who, like herhusband, had mastered it during the long years of intercourse with theCastilian court, now undertook to put the contents of the letter intoGerman.

  This was not difficult, for she had already been obliged to read italoud three times to Adrian, who could no longer decipher writtencharacters.

  The address was not omitted; it had pleased them both. It ran asfollows:

  "To his Majesty's good and faithful servant, Adrian Dubois, from hisaffectionate friend of former days, Dona Magdalena de Ulloa, wife of DonLuis Mendez Quijada, Lady of Villagarcia."

  Frau Trout read these noble names aloud to Barbara proudly, as if theywere her own; but before she went on Adrian interrupted--

  "As to friendship, you may think, Frau Barbara, that Dona Magdalena isshowing me far too much honour in using those words; but I would stillgive my right hand for that lovely creature with her kindly soul. When,just after Don Luis married her, his Majesty took her young husbandaway, she entreated me most earnestly to look after him, and I couldsometimes be of assistance. To be sure, we broke many a piece of breadtogether in war and peace in the same service. Ah, Frau Barbara! I amfar better off here than I deserve to be; but sometimes my heart isready to break when I think of my Emperor, and that I must leave thecare of him to others."

  "But it is hard enough for the major-domo and his Majesty to do withoutyou," said Frau Traut importantly. "Don Luis, the letter says, wouldgladly have written with his own hand, but he had not a single leisuremoment; for, since Adrian had gone, he was obliged to be at hand toserve his Majesty by day as well as by night. My husband's successor,Bodart, whom he trained for the service, is skilful and makes everyeffort, but he can not replace Adrian to his suffering master."

  Then Frau Traut looked more closely at the letter, and began totranslate its contents.

  "Of course," she began, "San Yuste is not like Brussels; but if theythink there that his Majesty lives like a monk and submits to the rulesof the monastery, they are misinformed."

  Here she lowered the sheet; but Barbara's cheeks were glowing withimpatient interest, and she exclaimed with urgent warmth: "Oh, please,read on! But where--it is probably in the letter--where is our child?"

  "One thing after the other, as the letter communicates it," replied thetranslator in a reproving tone; but her husband nodded soothingly toBarbara, and said:

  "Only this first: Our John is near his father, and there is somethingespecially good about hi
m toward the end. Dona Magdalena is a trueCastilian--first the King, then her husband, then the others accordingto their rank. It is different here and in your country. Patience andyou, Frau Barbara, have been bad friends ever since I knew you."

  Barbara's sorrowful smile confirmed this statement, and when Frau Trautat last went on, the tone of her voice betrayed how little she likedinterruptions just now.

  "You were informed of his Majesty's safe landing at Quiposcoa. It waspitiful to see how the people in his train who did not belong to thenumber of those who were to accompany him to Jarandilla behaved at theparting from their beloved master. The body-guards flung their halberdson the pavement, and there were plenty of tears and lamentations. OnSt. Blasius's day--[February 3, 1557]--his Majesty at last enteredSan Yuste. Don Luis, as you know, had gone before to get the house inreadiness for his master. One could scarcely imagine a pleasanter spot,for there is no greener valley than that of San Yuste in the whole rangeof the Carpetano Mountains, nay, perhaps in all Spain. It is difficultto describe how everything is growing and blossoming here now, in themonth of May. The little garden of the house is well kept and full ofbeautiful orange trees. While blossoming, they exhale the most exquisiteperfume, and his Majesty enjoys the delicious fragrance which the windbears to him.

  "In your noisy Brussels it is hard to imagine how quiet it can be here,dear Senor Adrian. Nothing is to be heard save the carol of a bird, therippling of a clear stream flowing swiftly through the valley, and atintervals the distinct notes of the little bells and cymbals upon theclocks which his Majesty brought with him. Even their ticking is oftenaudible. At certain hours the ringing of the monastery bells blendssolemnly and softly with the silence. The Hieronymites in the monasteryare pious monks. His Majesty sometimes listens to their choir. Its musicis very fine since Sir Wolf Hartschwert, whom you also know, has takencharge of it.

  "From all this, you will perceive that the master, with whom yourfaithful soul doubtless often dwells, is supplied--restricted by nomonastic discipline--with whatever suits his taste. He frequentlydevotes himself for hours to religious exercises, and also retiresto the black-draped room with the coffin, which you know; but the oldindustry and secular cares pursued him here. Mounted messengers come andgo continually, but they are not allowed to remain near the house.

  "Even in Brussels he can scarcely have written and answered more lettersthan he does here.

  "If only the body would prosper as well as the mind. That is as activeand alert as ever. But the body--the body! O Senor Adrian! I fear thatthe end is not far distant, although our royal sufferer looks betterthan at his arrival.

  "'The eating!' Dr. Mathys complains; but you know well enough how thatis.

  "Three days have passed since I began this letter. You are aware of mostof what concerns your beloved master; now for my husband.

  "He has never had service so arduous as here, for the grand prior, DonLuis de Avila, is nothing to his Majesty except a dear old brother inarms, with whom he is fond of talking about the past. Everything restson my poor husband. He said, a short time ago, that he would no longerendure playing the host to everybody who comes to San Yuste, being agentfor everybody in Spain who desires anything from the Emperor Charles,and at the same time constantly caring for the person of the sicksovereign. This life, he thinks, may suit a person who has takenleave of his property and the world, but he still clings to both, andespecially to me, the poor wife who has been parted from him so long. Hehas served the Emperor twenty-five years, and during this time he lostall his brothers in the war. The estates came to him, and how long theyhave already been deprived of the master's eye!

  "Don Luis told the Emperor Charles all this, yet he refused him leaveof absence to go to Villagarcia. Instead, I was obliged to move nearmy husband, and am now living with Geronimo, in the wretched village ofCuacos, which is easily reached from San Yuste. There I finally arrivedwith the boy whom the Virgin, in her inexhaustible mercy, gave to me,a poor, childless woman, to make me happy, although on his account Iwronged my lord and husband by a sinful suspicion.

  "Here I must begin my letter for the third time.

  "It was fortunate that Geronimo left Massi and Leganes, for he wasallowed to grow up there like a little savage. Before learning to obey,he was permitted to command.--No one opposed him, so in Villagarcia thefirst thing necessary was to accustom him to discipline, obedience, andthe manners of the nobles. The trouble was not great, and how richly theboy rewarded it! He is now in his twelfth year, and how your good wifewould stare, Adrian, if she could see her nursling again! Do not supposethat it is blind partiality when I say that few handsomer lads couldbe found in all King Philip's dominions. His figure is slender and onlyslightly above middle height; but how erect and noble is his bearing,how symmetrically his pliant form is developing! His delicately cutfeatures and large blue eyes glow with the bold courage which fills hissoul, and which he displays in riding, hunting, and fencing. He stillhas his wealth of fair, waving locks. Among a thousand other boys no onewill overlook him. Don Luis, too, admits that he was born to dignityand honour. Every chivalrous and royal virtue is in his blood. Even hismother could not sully it."

  Here Frau Traut paused to look at Barbara, who had listened, panting forbreath.

  She was sorry that she had not omitted the last sentence, but in thezeal of translating it had unconsciously escaped her lips, and, as shefound no softening word, she went on:

  "Geronimo has become a dear child to me. He thinks that I am his ownmother, and clings to me with filial affection. To lead such a son tothis august father was the greatest joy that Heaven has bestowed uponme.

  "Dressed as my page, he rode with me to Jarandilla to meet his Majesty.He was to present to the imperial master, of whose near relationshiphe had no idea, a little basket filled with beautiful oranges from ourgarden in Villagarcia, which you know.

  "The young horseman, who understands how to wheel his steed, swunghimself from the saddle close beside his Majesty, bent the knee withnoble grace, raised his little plumed hat, and, pressing his left handupon his heart, presented the little gift to his sovereign and master.As the weather was mild, the latter sat in an open sedan chair, and whenhe saw Geronimo he scanned him with the keen glance of the ruler, andthen looked inquiringly at my husband. Don Luis nodded the answer whichhe desired to receive, and a bright smile flitted over his emaciated,corpselike features. Then he accepted the oranges, stroked his son'scurls, addressed a few questions to him, which he answered modestly butaptly, and then called to my husband, 'This boy must remain near me.'

  "Oh, what pleasure all this gave me! Now Geronimo goes in and out of hisMajesty's apartments freely, and my reason for writing this letter is anincident I happened to witness, and which will please you, Adrian, andyour good wife, as it filled my heart with fervent gratitude. So listen:When the Emperor meets Geronimo in the presence of strangers, he seemsto take neither more nor less notice of him than of the other pages whocome to San Yuste. Only he often calls him, asks a question, or giveshim some trivial commission. Others would scarcely notice it, but I seethe brightening of his eyes as he does so.

  "Recently I looked through the open door which leads from his Majesty'swork-room into the garden, and what did the Virgin permit me tobehold?--Geronimo, who was alone with the Emperor, picked up a sheet ofpaper that had fluttered to the ground and handed it to him. Thenthe Emperor Charles suddenly raised his poor hands oh, how they aredisfigured by the gout!--laid them on the boy's temples, drew his headnearer, and kissed his brow and eyes! Charles V, the fugitive from theworld, the man crushed by sorrow and disappointment, did that! Thiskiss--Don Luis believes it also--sealed the son's acceptance into hisfather's heart."

  Here Frau Traut let the sheet fall. Her voice had failed during the lastsentences; now she exclaimed amid her tears, "The Emperor's kiss!" andher husband, no less deeply stirred by emotion, cried, "The EmperorCharles--no one knows as well as I what that means--the Emperor Charles,whose heart compels him to kiss some one."<
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  Here Barbara rose with flushed cheeks, panting for breath.

  She felt as if she must cry aloud to these good people: "What do youknow about my lover's kiss? I, I alone, not you, you poor, good man,could tell you. Insignificant and wretched as I may be, no woman onearth can boast of prouder memories, and now that he has also kissed hischild and mine, everything is forgiven him."

  Silently, with hurrying breath, she stood before the agitated couple,who were waiting for some remark, some outburst of gratitude anddelight; but there was only a quivering of the lips, and her blue eyesflashed with a fiery light.

  What was the matter with her?

  Frau Train turned anxiously to her husband to ask, in a whisper, whetherjoy had turned the poor young mother's brain; but Barbara had alreadyrecovered her composure, and, passing her hand quickly across her brow,murmured softly, "It came over me too strongly."

  Then she thanked them with earnest warmth; yet when Frau Traut praisedDona Magdalena's heavenly goodness, she nodded assent, it is true; butshe soon took her leave--she felt paralyzed and dazzled.