Martin Luther, to ascertain if, should the Emperor require it, he would present himself before the approaching Diet. Also they are aware already of the

answer.

"Have you finished, Spalatin ?" asked the Prince, who had ordered Schwärtz to hand the secretary the despatches, and who, while the latter was reading the firm reply of the great Reformer, had engaged his messenger with a variety of questions touching Luther's personal welfare, his proceedings, and the aspect of affairs at the University.

A graver shade than usual had come over his features, while he was learning from Schwärtz, that Doctor Martin had actually burned the Pope's decretals in retort to the Papal conflagration of his own writings; for he saw that thenceforth compromise or conciliation was impossible, and fresh doubts arose within him as to the utility or even safety of Luther's surrendering himself to the proposed tribunal. "Have you finished, Spalatin?"

"I have, may it please your Highness."

"And he declines ?" asked the Prince, eagerly. "He appeals to Cæsar, gracious Master."

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Appeals to Cæsar!" murmured Frederick, in disappointment. "Then to Cæsar he must go."

CHAPTER XV.

WE left Rupert at watch over the unconscious form of Nina, whilst his brother Arensberg was hastening to the Elector's court at Torga. The young Graf felt that his situation was more than awkward, for each passing moment inereased his alarm lest his mother should enter on a search for Nina, and, on finding her in a condition so extraordinary, should insist on his giving explanations.

It was an immense relief to him when, after a moment's gentle knocking at the half-opened door of the chamber, who should enter but his own fostermother! Of her quiet, thoughtful management he was sure; and, therefore, without anything more than uttering one word of caution-and that in a whisper -he left the room, and repaired to the great hall with a look as unconcerned as possible.

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"All this is very strange, Rupert!" said his mother, as the former approached her. Arensberg hath left his castle suddenly; but that I can understand, for his duty calls him to the presence of the Elector. But wherefore hast thou been absent, and

for so long a time? Didst thou go to travel aught on the way with thy brother? Here I have been left alone; although common, yes, the commonest courtesy to our young guest exacted your presence at least. And then as to Nina, how dare she have been absent on the arrival of her lord and master; and still more so, on the approach of a fair lady to whom, if not for her high rank yet from the conditions under which she seeks a refuge in our house, all honour should be paid?"

"Be not so chafed with me, or with Nina either," answered Rupert, throwing off, as well as he could, all appearances of concern and anxiety. "As to myself, I was watching Arensberg's departure for the Court; when I learned that dear Nina was unwell and within her chamber, and I went thither to see about her."

The Countess instantly saw through the whole. Long, long ago, her woman's sagacity had revealed to her the possible, but, to her proud mind, the scarcely credible feelings of the lowly Nina towards her son Arensberg, the head of a house so noble. The present circumstances confirmed her in her conviction. Nevertheless, so sure was she of the high principles and delicacy of the young orphan whom she had taken to her home and to her confidence, that, instead of breaking out in words of indignant and contumelious scorn, she contented herself with adding,

"Leave Nina to herself, Rupert. She will be

better on the morrow. Arensberg's somewhat sudden coming hath upset her, and I love her all the more for it. It is but natural. Arensberg has been a brother to her ever since she crossed our threshold."

We may be sure that Rupert most gladly accepted this his mother's interpretation of Nina's illness.

Days on days went by, after this little episode. Not only did Nina recover from her trance, but, exerting a stern self-control over her feelings, sought the Countess, who received her apologies for her absence with little remark, save an expression of regret to hear that she had been ill, and of fear lest she had overfatigued herself in the preparations for receiving the Count and the Lady Bianca.

Nina naturally was much thrown with the Lady Bianca, who spoke the German language well. The devotion with which she applied herself to soothe the sorrows of her noble rival, was a beautiful trait in the character of the orphan. She allowed no feelings of jealousy or bitterness to prevent her from solacing and endeavouring to amuse the Lady Bianca, whose soul was ill at ease.

In consequence of the Elector's interdict, of which we have spoken, Arensberg had sent her no communication. At first she felt alarmed. Soon after her proud heart began to be reproachful, then indignant. Considering her position she could not feel otherwise at what must have appeared to her such unchivalrous conduct.

Occasionally, though rarely, expressions of indignant surprise escaped her, when Nina, instead of seeking to make a breach between the lovers, eloquently defended the Count from any want of chivalrous devotion, and insisted, in the most persuasive manner, that when he could leave his Sovereign, whose servant he was, he would be able and be sure to explain all that seemed inexplicable in his conduct to the Lady Bianca's complete satisfaction.

In former chapters we have mentioned the grave historical events that were taking place during these days of private, self-consuming sorrow in the Castle. Sad contrast that, when hearts which were so attuned to sympathy with each other could be so incidentally divorced; when Bianca, on the one hand, and Nina on the other, could be so far devoured by personal thoughts and anxieties as to become comparatively listless to the great events that were taking place in their very neighbourhood!

The Lady Bianca-stung by personal wrongs into abhorrence of that Papacy whose treacherous policy had murdered her parent, and one of whose anointed heads had driven her into exile as the alternative of loss of virtue-would, at a period of more equanimity, have interested herself with the increasing strife between the Pope and Martin Luther. Nina, too, long ago committed as she had been to the purest syinpathy with the new faith, would have forgotten everything of self in the approaching struggle.

But alas! though at table and often in more private