Helookedmoreuncomfortableatthis，butheansweredboldlyenoughthathehadservedaposset，somelemonwater，andsomemilk。
"Butordersweregivenonlyforthelemon-waterandtheposset，"
Isaid。
"True，yourexcellency，"heanswered。"ButwhenIwenttothepantryhatch，toseetheunder-butlercarryupthetray，Ifoundthatthemilkwasonthetray；andIsupposedthatyouhadgivenanotherorder。"
"PossiblyMadamedeSully，"theKingsaid，lookingatme，"gavetheordertoaddit？"
"Shewouldnotpresumetodoso，sire，"Ianswered，sternly。
"NordoIintheleastunderstandthematter。Butatonethingwecaneasilyarrive。Youtastedallofthese，man？"
LaTrapesaidhehad。
"Youdrankaquantity，asubstantialquantityofeach——accordingtotheordersgiventoyou？Ipersisted。
"Yes，yourexcellency。"
ButIcaughtaguiltylookinhiseyes，andinagustofrageI
criedoutthathelied。"Thetruth！"Ithundered，inaterriblevoice。"Thetruth，youvillain；youdidnottasteall？"
"Idid，yourexcellency；asGodisabove，Idid！"heanswered。
Buthehadgrownpale，andhelookedattheKinginaterrifiedway。
"Youdid？"
"Yes！"
YetIdidnotbelievehim，andIwasabouttogivehimthelieagain，whentheKingintervened。"Quiteso，"hesaidtoLaTrapewithasmile。"Youdrank，mygoodfellow，ofthepossetandthelemonwater，andyoutastedthemilk，butyoudidnotdrinkofit。Isnotthatthewholetruth？"
"Yes，sire，"hewhimpered，breakingdown。"ButI——Igavesometoacat。"
"Andthecatisnoworse？"
"No，sire。"
"There，GrandMaster，"theKingsaid，turningtome，"thatisthetruth，Ithink。Whatdoyousaytoit？"
"Thattherestissimple，"Ianswered，grimly。"Hedidnotdrinkitbefore；buthewilldrinkitnow，sire。"
TheKing，sittingonthebed，laughedandlookedatLaTrape；asifhisgood-naturealmostledhimtointerpose。Butafteramoment'shesitationhethoughtbetterofit，andhandedmethecup。"Verywell，"hesaid；"heisyourman。Haveyourwaywithhim。Afterall，heshouldhavedrunkit。"
"Heshalldrinkitnow，orbebrokenonthewheel！"Isaid。"Doyouhear，you？"Icontinued，turningtohiminawhiteheatofrageatthethoughtofhisnegligence，andthepriceitmighthavecostme。"Takeit，andbewarethatyoudonotdroporspillit。ForIswearthatthatshallnotsaveyou！"
Hetookthecupwithapaleface，andhandsthatshooksomuchthatheneededbothtosupportthevessel。Hehesitated，too，solongthat，hadInotpossessedthebestofreasonsforbelievinginhisfidelity，Ishouldhavesuspectedhimofmorethannegligence。Theshadowofhistallfigureseemedtowaveronthetapestrybehindhim；andwithalittleimaginationImighthavethoughtthatthelightsintheroomhadsunk。Thesoftwhisperingofthepagesoutsidecouldbeheard，andastifledlaugh；butinsidetherewasnotasound。Hecarriedthecuptohislips；thenhelowereditagain。
Itookastepforward。
Herecoiledapace，hisfaceghastly。"Patience，excellency，"hesaid，hoarsely。"Ishalldrinkit。ButIwanttospeakfirst。"
"Speak！"theKinganswered。
"Ifthereisdeathinit，ItakeGodtowitnessthatIknownothing，andknewnothing！Thereissomewitch'sworkhereitisnotthefirsttimethatIhavecomeacrossthisdevil'smilkto-
day！ButItakeGodtowitnessIknownothing！NowitishereI
willdrinkit，and——"
Hedidnotfinishthesentence，butdrawingadeepbreathraisedthecuptohislips。Isawtheappleinhisthroatriseandfallwiththeefforthemadetoswallow，buthedranksoslowlythatitseemedtomethathewouldneverdrainthecap。Nordidhe，forwhenhehadswallowed，asfarasIcouldjudgefromthetiltingofthecup，abouthalfofthemilk，Henryrosesuddenlyand，seizingit，tookitfromhimwithhisownhand。
"Thatwilldo，"theKingsaid。"Doyoufeelill？"
LaTrapedrewatremblinghandacrosshisbrow，onwhichthesweatstoodinbeads；butinsteadofansweringheremainedsilent，gazingfixedlybeforehim。Wewaitedandwatched，andatlength，whenIshouldthinkthreeminuteshadelapsed，hechangedhispositionforoneofgreaterease，andIsawhisfacerelax。
Theunnaturalpallorfaded，andtheopenlipsclosed。Aminutelaterhespoke。"Ifeelnothing，sire，"hesaid。
TheKinglookedatmedrolly。"Thentakefiveminutesmore，"hesaid。"Go，andstareatJudiththere，cuttingofftheheadofHolofernes"——forthatwasthestoryofthetapestry——"andcomewhenIcallyou。"
LaTrapewenttotheotherendofthechamber。"Well，"theKingsaid，invitingmebyasigntositdownbesidehim，"isitacomedyoratragedy，myfriend？Or，tellme，whatwasithemeantwhenhesaidthatabouttheothermilk？"
Iexplained，thematterseemingsotrivialnowthatIcametotellit——thoughit；haddoubtlesscontributedmuchtoLaTrape'sfright——thatIhadtoapologize。
"Stillitisodd，"theKingsaid。"Thesedrinkswerenothere，atthattime，ofcourse？"
"No，sire；theyhavebeenbroughtupwithinthehour。"
"Well，yourbutlermustexplainit。"AndwiththatheraisedhisvoiceandcalledLaTrapeback；whocame，lookingredandsheepish。
"Notdeadyet？"theKingsaid。
"No，sire。"
"Norill？"
"No，sire。"
"Thenbegone。Or，stay！"Henrycontinued。"Throwtherestofthisstuffintothefire-place。Itmaybeharmless，butIhavenomindtodrinkitbymistake。"
LaTrapeemptiedthecupamongthegreenboughsthatfilledthehearth，andhastenedtowithdraw。Itseemedtobetoolatetomakefurtherinquiriesthatnight；soafterlisteningtotwoorthreeexplanationswhichtheKinghazarded，butwhichhadalltoofancifulanairinmyeyes，Itookmyleaveandretired。
Whether，however，thescenehadraisedtooviolentacommotioninmymind，orIwasalreadysickeningfortheillnessIhavementioned，Ifounditimpossibletosleep；andspentthegreaterpartofthenightinafeveroffearsandforebodings。TheresponsibilitywhichtheKing'spresencecastuponmelaysoheavilyuponmywakingmindthatIcouldnotlie；andlongbeforetheKing'susualhourofrisingIwasathisdoorinquiringhowhedid。Nooneknew，forthepagewhoseturnitwastosleepathisfeethadnotcomeout；butwhileIstoodquestioning，theKing'svoicewasheard，biddingmeenter。Iwentin，andfoundhimsittingupwithahaggardface，whichtoldme，beforehespoke，thathehadsleptlittlebetterthanIhad。Theshutterswerethrownwideopen，andthecoldmorninglightpouredintotheroomwithaneffectrathersombrethanbright；thehugefiguresonthetapestryloominghugerfromadrabandmelancholybackground，andthechamberpresentingallthosefeaturesofdisorderthatinasleeping-roomliehidatnight，onlytoshowthemselvesinamorevividshapeinthemorning。
TheKingsenthispageout，andbademesitbyhim。"Ihavehadabadnight，"hesaid，withashudder。"GrandMaster，Idoubtthatastrologerwasright，andIshallneverseeGermany，norcarryoutmydesigns。"
Seeingthestateinwhichhewas，Icouldthinkofnothingbetterthantorallyhim，andevenlaughathim。"Youthinksonow，sire，"Isaid。"Itisthecoldhour。Byandby，whenyouhavebrokenyourfast，youwillthinkdifferently。"
"But，itmaybe，lesscorrectly，"heanswered；andashesatlookingbeforehimwithgloomyeyes，heheavedadeepsigh。"Myfriend，"hesaid，mournfully，"Iwanttolive，andIamgoingtodie。"
"Ofwhat？"Iasked，gaily。
"Idonotknow；butIdreamedlastnightthatahousefellonmeintheRuedelaFerronerie，andIcannothelpthinkingthatI
shalldieinthatway。"
"Verywell，"Isaid。"Itiswelltoknowthat。"
HeaskedmepeevishlywhatImeant。
"Only，"Iexplained，"that，inthatcase，asyourMajestyneedneverpassthroughthatstreet，youhaveitinyourhandstoliveforever。"
"Perhapsitmaynothappenthere——inthatverystreet，"heanswered。
"Andperhapsitmaynothappenyet，"Irejoined。Andthen，moreseriously，"Come，sire，"Icontinued，"whythissuddenweakness？
Ihaveknownyoufacedeathahundredtimes。"
"ButnotaftersuchadreamasIhadlastnight，"hesaid，withagrimace——yetIcouldseethathewasalreadycomforted。"I
thoughtthatIwaspassingalongthatstreetinmycoach，andonasudden，betweenSt。Innocent'schurchandthenotary's——thereisanotary'sthere？"
"Yes，sire，"Isaid，somewhatsurprised。
"Iheardagreatroar，andsomethingstruckmedown，andIfoundmyselfpinnedtotheground，indarkness，withmymouthfullofdust，andanimmensebeamonmychest。Ilayforatimeinagony，fightingforbreath，andthenmybrainseemedtoburstinmyhead，andIawoke。"
"Ihavehadsuchadream，sire，"Isaid，drily。
"Lastnight？"
"No，"Isaid，"notlastnight。"
HesawwhatImeant，andlaughed；andbeingbythistimequitehimself，leftthatandpassedtodiscussingthestrangeaffairofLaTrapeandthemilk。"Haveyoufound，asyet，whowasgoodenoughtosupplyit？"heasked。
"No，sire，"Ianswered。"ButIwillseeLaTrape，andassoonasIhavelearnedanything，yourmajestyshallknowit。"
"Isupposeheisnotfaroffnow，"hesuggested。"Sendforhim。
Tentoonehewillhavemadeinquiries，anditwillamuseus。"
Iwenttothedoorand，openingitatrifle，badethepagewhowaitedsendLaTrape。Hepassedonthemessagetoacrowdofsleepyattendants，andquickly，butnotbeforeIhadgonebacktotheKing'sbedside，LaTrapeentered。
Havingmyeyesturnedtheotherway，Ididnotatonceremarkanything。ButtheKingdid；andhislookofastonishment，nolessthantheexclamationwhichaccompaniedit，arrestedmyattention。"St。Gris，man！"hecried。"Whatisthematter？
Speak！"
LaTrape，whohadstoppedjustwithinthedoor，madeanefforttodoso，butnosoundpassedhislips；whilehispallorandthefixedglareofhiseyesfilledmewiththeworstapprehensions。
Itwasimpossibletolookathimandnotsharehisfright，andI
steppedforwardandcriedouttohimtospeak。"AnswertheKing，man，"Isaid。"Whatisit？"
Hemadeaneffort，andwithaghastlygrimace，"Thecatisdead！"
hesaid。
Foramomentwewereallsilent。ThenIlookedattheKing，andheatme，withgloomymeaninginoureyes。Hewasthefirsttospeak。"Thecattowhomyougavethemilk？"hesaid。
"Yes，sire，"LaTrapeanswered，inavoicethatseemedtocomefromhisheart。
"Butstill，courage！"theKingcried。"Courage，man！Adosethatwouldkillacatmaynotkillaman。Doyoufeelill？"
"Oh，yes，sire，"LaTrapemoaned。
"Whatdoyoufeel？"
"Ihaveatremblinginallmylimbs，andah——ah，myGod，Iamadeadman！Ihaveaburninghere——apainlikehotcoalsinmyvitals！"And，leaningagainstthewall，theunfortunatemanclaspedhisarmsroundhisbodyandbenthimselfupanddowninaparoxysmofsuffering。
"Adoctor！adoctor！"Henrycried，thrustingonelegoutofbed。
"SendforDuLaurens！"Then，asIwenttothedoortodoso，"Canyoubesick，man？"heasked。"Try！"
"No，no；itisimpossible！"
"Buttry，try！whendidthiscatdie？"
"Itisoutside，"LaTrapegroaned。Hecouldsaynomore。
Ihadopenedthedoorbythistime，andfoundtheattendants，whomtheman'scrieshadalarmed，inaclusterroundit。
Silencingthemsternly，IbadeonegoforM。DuLaurens，theKing'sphysician，whileanotherbroughtmethecatthatwasdead。
ThepagewhohadspentthenightintheKing'schamber，fetchedit。Itoldhimtobringitin，andorderingtheotherstoletthedoctorpasswhenhearrived，Iclosedthedoorupontheircuriosity，andwentbacktotheKing。HehadlefthisbedandwasstandingnearLaTrape，endeavouringtoheartenhim；nowtellinghimtoticklehisthroatwithafeather，andnowwatchinghissufferingsinsilence，withafaceofgloomanddespondencythatsufficientlybetrayedhisreflections。Atsightofthepage，however，carryingthedeadcat，heturnedbriskly，andwebothexaminedthebeastwhich，alreadyrigid，withstaringeyesanduncoveredteeth，wasnotasighttocheeranyone，muchlessthestrickenman。LaTrape，however，seemedtobescarcelyawareofitspresence。Hehadsunkuponachestwhichstoodagainstthewall，and，withhisbodystrangelytwisted，wasmutteringprayers，whileherockedhimselftoandfrounceasingly。
"It'sstiff，"theKingsaidinalowvoice。"Ithasbeendeadsomehours。"
"Sincemidnight，"Imuttered。
"Pardon，sire，"thepage，whowasholdingthecat，said；"Isawitaftermidnight。Itwasalivethen。"
"Yousawit！"Iexclaimed。"How？Where？"
"Here，yourexcellency，"theboyanswered，quailingalittle。
"What？Inthisroom？"
"Yes，excellency。Iheardanoiseabout——Ithinkabouttwoo'clock——andhisMajestybreathingveryheavily，Itwasanoiselikeacatspitting。Itfrightenedme，andIrosefrommypalletandwentroundthebed。Iwasjustintimetoseethecatjumpdown。"
"Fromthebed？"
"Yes，yourexcellency。FromhisMajesty'schest，Ithink。"
"Andyouaresurethatitwasthiscat？"
"Yes，sire；forassoonasitwasontheflooritbegantowritheandrollandbiteitself，withallitsfuronend，likeamadcat。Thenitflewtothedoorandtriedtogetout，andagainbegantospitfuriously。IthoughtthatitwouldawakentheKing，andIletitout。"
"AndthentheKingdidawake？"
"Hewasjustawaking，yourexcellency。"
"Well，sire，"Isaid，smiling，"thisaccounts，Ithink，foryourdreamofthehousethatfell，andthebeamthatlayonyourchest。"
ItwouldhavebeendifficulttosaywhetheratthistheKinglookedmorefoolishormorerelieved。Whicheverthesentimentheentertained，however，itwasquicklycutshortbyalamentablecrythatdrovethebloodfromourcheeks。LaTrapewasinanotherparoxysm。"Oh，thepoorman！"Henrycried。
"Isupposethatthecatcameinunseen，"Isaid；"withhimlastnight，andthenstayedintheroom？"
"Doubtless。"
"Andwasseizedwithaparoxysmhere？"
"Suchashehasnow！"Henryanswered；forLaTrapehadfallentothefloor。"Suchashehasnow！"herepeated，hiseyesflaming，hisfacepale。"Oh，myfriend，thisistoomuch。Thosewhodothesethingsaredevils，notmen。WhereisDuLaurens？Whereisthedoctor？Hewillperishbeforeoureyes。"
"Patience，sire，"Isaid。"Hewillcome。"
"Butinthemeantimethemandies。"
"No，no，"Isaid，goingtoLaTrape，andtouchinghishand。
"Yet，heisverycold。"Andturning，Isentthepagetohastenthedoctor。ThenIbeggedtheKingtoallowmetohavethemanconveyedintoanotherroom。"Hissufferingsdistressyou，sire，andyoudohimnogood，"Isaid。
"No，heshallnotgo！"heanswered。"VentreSaintGris！man，heisdyingforme！Heisdyinginmyplace。Heshalldiehere。"
Stillillsatisfied，Iwasabouttopresshimfarther，whenLaTraperaisedhisvoice，andfeeblyaskedforme。Apagewhohadtakentheother'splacewassupportinghishead，andtwoorthreeofmygentlemen，whohadcomeinunbidden，werelookingonwithscaredfaces。Iwenttothepoorfellow'sside，andaskedwhatI
coulddoforhim。
"Iamdying！"hemuttered，turninguphiseyes。"Thedoctor！
thedoctor！"
Ifearedthathewaspassing，butIbadehimhavecourage。"Inamomenthewillbehere，"Isaid；whiletheKingindistractionsentmessengeronmessenger。
"Hewillcometoolate，"thesinkingmananswered。"Excellency？"
"Yes，mygoodfellow，"Isaid，stoopingthatImighthearhimthebetter。
"Itooktenpistolesyesterdayfromamantogethimascullion'splace；andthereisnonevacant。"
"Itisforgiven，"Isaid，tosoothehim。
"Andyourexcellency'sfavouritehound，Diane，"hegasped。"Shehadthreepuppies，nottwo。Isoldtheother。"
"Well，itisforgiven，myfriend。Itisforgiven。Beeasy，"I
saidkindly。
"Ah，Ihavebeenavillain，"hegroaned。"Ihavelivedloosely。
OnlylastnightIkissedthebutler'swench，and——"
"Beeasy，beeasy，"Isaid。"Hereisthedoctor。Hewillsaveyouyet。"
AndImadewayforM。DuLaurens，who，havingsalutedtheKing，kneltdownbythesickman，andfelthispulse；whileweallstoodround，lookingdownonthetwowithgravefaces。Itseemedtomethattheman'seyesweregrowingdim，andIhadlittlehope。TheKingwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。"Youhavehope？"hesaid。"Youcansavehim？"
"Pardon，sire，amoment，"thephysiciananswered，risingfromhisknees。"Whereisthecat？"
Someonebroughtit，andM。DuLaurens，afterlookingatit，saidcurtly，"Ithasbeenpoisoned。"
LaTrapeutteredagroanofdespair。"Atwhathourdidittakethemilk？"thephysicianasked。
"Alittlebeforetenlastevening，"Isaid，seeingthatLaTrapewastoofargoneforspeech。
"Ah！Andtheman？"
"Anhourlater。"
DuLaurensshookhishead，andwaspreparingtolaydownthecat，whichhehadtakeninhishands，whensomeappearanceledhimtoexamineitagainandmoreclosely。"Whywhatisthis？"heexclaimed，inatoneofsurprise，ashetookthebodytothewindow。"Thereisalargeswellingunderitschin。"
Nooneanswered。
"Givemeapairofscissors，"hecontinued；andthen，afteraminute，whentheyhadbeenhandedtohimandhehadremovedthefur，"Ha！"hesaidgravely，"thisisnotsosimpleasIthought。
Thecathasbeenpoisoned，butbyaprickwithsomesharpinstrument。"
TheKingutteredanexclamationofincredulity。"Butitdrankthemilk，"hesaid。"Somemilkthat——"
"Pardon，sire，"DuLaurensansweredpositively。"Adraughtofmilk，howeverdrugged，doesnotproduceanexternalswellingwithasmallbluepunctureinthemiddle。"
"Whatdoes？"theKingasked，withsomethinglikeasneer。
"Ah，thatisthequestion，"thephysiciananswered。"Aring，perhaps，withapoison-chamberandhollowdart。"
"Butthereisnoquestionofthathere，"Isaid。"Letusbeclear。Doyousaythatthecatdidnotdieofthemilk？"
"Iseenoproofthatitdid，"heanswered。"Andmanythingstoshowthatitdiedofpoisonadministeredbypuncture。"
"Butthen，"Ianswered，innolittleconfusionofthought，"whatofLaTrape？"
Heturned，andwithhimalleyes，totheunfortunateequerry，whostilllayseeminglymoribund，withhisheadproppedonsomecushions。M。DuLaurensadvancedtohimandagainfelthispulse，anoperationwhichappearedtobringaslighttingeofcolourtothefadingcheeks。"Howmuchmilkdidhedrink？"thephysicianaskedafterapause。
"Morethanhalfapint，"Ianswered。
"Andwhatbesides？"
"AquantityoftheKing'sposset，andalittlelemonade。"
"Andforsupper？Whatdidyouhave？"theleechcontinued，addressinghimselftohispatient。
"Ihadsomewine，"heansweredfeebly。"AndalittleFrontignacwiththebutler；andsomehoney-meadthatthegipsy-wenchgaveme。
"Thegipsy-wench？"
"Thebutler'sgirl，ofwhomIspoke。"
M。DuLaurensroseslowlytohisfeet，and，tomyamazement，dealttheprostratemanaheartykick；biddinghimatthesametimetorise。"Getup，fool！Getup，"hecontinuedharshly，yetwitharingoftriumphinhisvoice，"allyouhavegotisthecolic，anditisnomorethanyoudeserve。Getup，Isay，andbeghisMajesty'spardon！"
"But，"theKingremonstratedinatoneofanger，"themanisdying！"
"Heisnomoredyingthanyouare，sire，"theotheranswered。
"Or，ifheis，itisoffright。There，hecanstandaswellasyouorI！"
Andtobesure，ashespoke，LaTrapescrambledtohisfeet，andwithamienbetweenshameanddoubtstoodstaringatus，theverypictureofasimpleton。Itwasnowonderthathisjawfellandhisimpudentfaceburned；fortheroomshookwithsucharoaroflaughter，atfirstlow，andthenastheKingjoinedinit，swellinglouderandlouder，asfewofushadeverheard，ThoughI
wasnotalittlemortifiedbythewayinwhichwehaddeceivedourselves，Icouldnothelpjoininginthelaugh；particularlyasthemorecloselywereviewedthesceneinwhichwehadtakenpart，themoreabsurdseemedthejest。Itwaslongbeforesilencecouldbeobtained；butatlengthHenry，quiteexhaustedbytheviolenceofhismirthhelduphishand。Iseizedtheopportunity。
"Why，yourascal！"Isaid，addressingLaTrape，whodidnotknowwhichwaytolook，"wherearethetencrownsofwhichyoudefraudedthescullion？"
"Tobesure，"theKingsaid，goingoffintoanotherroar。"Andthethirdpuppy？"
"Yes，"Isaid，"youscoundrel；andthethirdpuppy？"
"Ay，andthegipsygirl？"theKingcontinued。"Thebutler'swench，whatofher？Andofyourevilliving？Begone，begone，rascal！"hecontinued，fallingintoafreshparoxysm，"oryouwillkillUSinearnest。Wouldnothingelsedoforyoubuttodieinmychamber？Begone！"
Itookthisasahinttocleartheroom，notonlyofLaTrapehimselfbutofall；andpresentlyonlyIandDuLaurensremainedwiththeKing。Itthenappearedthattherewasstillamystery，andonewhichitbehovedustoclearup；inasmuchasDuLaurenstookthecat'sdeathveryseriously，insistingthatithaddiedofpoisonadministeredinamostsinisterfashion，andonethatcouldnotfailtorecalltoourmindstheBorgianpopes。ItneedednomorethanthistodirectmysuspicionstotheFlorentineswhoswarmedabouttheQueen，andagainstwhomtheKinghadletdropsomanythreats。Buttheindispositionwhichexcitementhadforatimekeptatbaybegantoreturnuponme；
andIwaspresentlygladtodropthesubject；andretiretomyownapartments，leavingtheKingtodress。
Consequently，Iwasnotwithhimwhenthestrangediscoverywhichfollowedwasmade。Intheordinarycourseofdressing，oneoftheservantsgoingtothefire-placetothrowawayapieceofwastelinen，thoughtthatheheardaratstiramongtheboughs。
Hemovedthem，andinamomentasmallsnakecrawledout，hissinganddartingoutitstongue。Itwaskilled，andthenitatonceoccurredtotheKingthathehadthesecretofthecat'sdeath。
Hecametomehot-footwiththenews，andfoundmewithDuLaurenswhowasintheactoforderingmetobed。
IconfessthatIheardthestoryalmostwithapathy，soillwasI。Notsothephysician。Afterexaminingthesnake，whichbytheKing'sordershadbeenbroughtformyinspection，hepronouncedthatitwasnotofFrenchorigin。"Ithasescapedfromsomesnake-charmer，"hesaid。
TheKingseemedtobeincredulous。
"IassureyouthatIspeakthetruth，sire，"DuLaurenspersisted。
"Buthowthendiditcomeinmyroom？"
"ThatiswhatIshouldliketoknow，sire，"thephysicianansweredseverely；"andyetIthinkthatIcanguess。Itwasputthere，Ifancy，bythepersonwhosentupthemilktoyourchamber。"
"Whydoyousayso？"Henryasked"Because，sire，allsnakesareinordinatelyfondofmilk。"
"Ah！"theKingsaidslowly，withachangeofcountenanceandashudderwhichhecouldnotrepress；"andtherewasmilkonthefloorinthemorning。"
"Yes，sire；onthefloor，andbesidetheheadofyourbed。"
ButatthisstageIwasattackedbyafitofillnesssoseverethatIhadtobreakinonthediscussion，andbegtheKingtowithdraw。Thesicknessincreasedonmeduringtheday，andbynoonIwasprostrate，neithertakinginterestinanything，norallowingothers，whobegantofearformylife，todiverttheirattention。Aftertwenty-fourhoursIbegantomend，butstillseveraldayselapsedbeforeIwasabletodevotemyselftobusiness；andthenIfoundthat，themaster-mindbeingabsent，andtheKing，asalways，lukewarminthepursuit，nothinghadbeendonetodetectandpunishthecriminal。
Icouldnotresteasy，however，withsoabominableasuspicionattachingtomyhouse；andassoonasIcouldbendmymindtothematterIbegananinquiry。Atthefirststage，however，IcametoanIMPASSE；thebutler，whohadbeenlonginmyservice，clearedhimselfwithoutdifficulty，butafewquestionsdiscoveredthefactthatapersonwhohadbeeninhisdepartmentontheeveninginquestionwasnowtoseek，havingindeeddisappearedfromthattime。Thiswasthegipsy-girl，whomLaTrapehadmentioned，andwhosepresenceinmyhouseholdseemedtoneedthemoreelucidationthefartherIpushedtheinquiry。IntheendIhadthebutlerpunished，butthoughmyagentssoughtthegirlthroughParis，andeventracedhertoMeaux，shewasneverdiscovered。
Theaffair，attheKing'sinstance，wasnotmadepublic；
nevertheless，itgavehimsostrongadistastefortheArsenalthathedidnotagainvisitme，norusetheroomsIhadprepared。
Thatlater，whenthefirstimpressionworeoff，hewouldhavedoneso，isprobable；but，alas，withinafewmonthsthemaliceofhisenemiesprevailedovermyutmostprecautions，androbbedmeofthebestofmasters；strangelyenough，asalltheworldnowknows，atthecornerofthatveryRuedelaFeronneriewhichhehadseeninhisdream。
XII。ATFONTAINEBLEAU。
ThepassionwhichHenrystillfeltforMadamedeConde，andwhichherflightfromthecountrywasfarfromassuaging，hadagreatshareinputtinghimupontheimmediateexecutionofthedesignswehadsolongprepared。LookingtofindinthestirandbustleofaGermancampaignthatreliefofmindwhichtheCourtcouldnolongeraffordhim，hediscoveredintheunhoped-forwealthofhistreasuryanadditionalincitement；andnowwaitedonlyfortheopeningofspringandtheQueen'scoronationtoremovethelastobstaclesthatkepthimfromthefield。
Nevertheless，relyingonmyassurancesthatallthingswereready，andpersuadedthatthemoreeasyheshowedhimselfthelesspreparedwouldhefindtheenemy，hemadenochangeinhishabits；butinMarch，1610，went，asusual，toFontainebleau，wherehedivertedhimselfwithhunting。ItwasduringthisvisitthattheCourtcreditedhimwithseeing——Ithink，ontheFridaybeforetheFeastoftheVirgin——theGreatHuntsman；andevenwentsofarastospecifythepartoftheforestinwhichhecameuponit，andtheform——thatofagiganticblackhorseman，surroundedbyhounds——whichitassumedThespectrehadnotbeenseensincetheyear1598；nevertheless，thestoryspreadwidely，thosewhowhispereditcitinginitssupportnotonlytheremarkableagitationintowhichtheQueenfellpubliclyontheeveningofthatday，butalsosomestrangeparticularsthatattendedtheKing'sreturnfromtheforest；and，beingtakenupandrepeated，andconfirmed，asmanythought，bytheunhappysequenceofhisdeath，thefablefoundalittlelateralmostuniversalcredence，sothatitmaynowbefoundeveninbooks。
Asithappened，however，IwasthatdayatFontainebleau，andhuntedwiththeKing；and，favouredbothbychanceandtheconfidencewithwhichmymasterneverfailedtohonourme，amablenotonlytorefutethisstory，buttonarratetheactualfactsfromwhichittookitsrise。Andthoughtherearesome，I
know，whoboastthattheyhadthetalefromtheKing'sownmouth，Iundertaketoproveeitherthattheyareromancerswhoseektoaddaninchtotheirstature，ordullfellowswhoplacedtheirowninterpretationonthehastywordshevouchsafedsuchchatterers。
Asafact，theKing，onthatdaywishingtodiscusswithmethepreparationsfortheQueen'sentry，bademekeepclosetohim，sincehehadmoreinclinationformycompanythanthechase。Butthecrowdthatattendedhimwassolarge，thedaybeingfineandwarm——andcomprised，besides，somanyladies，whosebadinageandgaietyhecouldneverforego——thatIfoundhiminsensiblydrawnfromme。Farfrombeingdispleased，Iwasgladtoseehimforgetthemoodinesswhichhadoflateoppressedhim；andbeyondkeepingwithinsightofhim，gaveup，forthetime，allthoughtofaffairs，andfoundinthebeautyofthespectaclesufficientcompensation。Thebrightdressesandwavingfeathersofthepartyshowedtothegreatestadvantage，asthelongcavalcadewoundthroughtheheatherandrocksofthevalleybelowtheApremonts；andwhetherIlookedtofrontorrear——onthehuntsmen，withtheirgreathorns，orthehoundsstrainingintheleashes——Iwasequallycharmedwithasightatoncejoyousandgallant，andonetowhichthecallsofdutyhadoflatemademeastranger。
Onasuddenaquarrywasstarted，andthecompany，gallopingoffpell-mell，withamerryburstofmusic，wereinamomentdispersed，sometakingthistrack，andothersthat，throughtherocksandDEBRISthatmakethatpartoftheforestdifficult。
SinglingouttheKing，IkeptasnearhimaspossibleuntilthechaseledusintotheApremontcoverts，where，thetreesgrowingthickly，andtheridescutthroughthembeingintricate，Ilosthimforawhile。Again，however，Icaughtsightofhimflyingdownarideborderedbydark-greenbox-trees，againstwhichhiswhitehuntingcoatshowedvividly；butnowhewasalone，andridinginadirectionwhicheachmomentcarriedhimfartherfromthelineofthechase，andentangledhimmoredeeplyintheforest。
Supposingthathehadmadeabadcastandwasinerror，Idashedthespursintomyhorse，andgallopedafterhim；then，findingthathestillheldhisown，andthatIdidnotovertakehim，butthat，onthecontrary，hewasridingatthetopofhisspeed，I
calledtohim。"Youareinerror，sire，Ithink！"Icried。
"Thehoundsaretheotherway！"
Heheard，forheraisedhishand，and，withoutturninghishead，mademeasign；butwhetherofassentordenial，Icouldnottell。Andhestillheldonhiscourse。Then，foramoment，I
fanciedthathishorsehadgotthebetterofhim，andwasrunningaway；butnosoonerhadthethoughtoccurredtomethanIsawthathewasspurringit，andexcitingittoitsutmostspeed，sothatwereachedtheendofthatride，andrushedthroughanotherandstillanother，alwaysmaking，Ididnotfailtonote，forthemostretiredpartoftheforest，Wehadproceededinthiswayaboutamile，andthesoundofthehunthadquitediedawaybehindus，andIwasbeginningtochafe，aswellasmarvel，atconductsosingular，whenatlastIsawthathewasslackeninghispace。Myhorse，whichwasonthepointoffailing，began，inturn，tooverhaulhis，whileIlookedoutwithsharpenedcuriosityfortheobjectofpursuit。Icouldseenothing，however，andnoone；andhadjustsatisfiedmyselfthatthiswasoneofthedrollfreaksinwhichhewouldsometimesindulge，andthatinasecondortwohewouldturnandlaughatmydiscomfiture，when，onasudden，withafinalpullatthereins，hedidturn，andshowedmeafaceflushedwithpassionandchagrin。
IwassotakenabackthatIcriedout。"MONDIEU！sire，"I
said。"Whatisit？Whatisthematter？"
"Matterenough！"hecried，withanoath。Andonthat，haltinghishorse，helookedatmeasifhewouldreadmyheart。"VENTRE
DESAINTGRIS！"hesaid，inavoicethatmademetremble，"ifI
weresurethattherewasnomistake，Iwould——Iwouldneverseeyourfaceagain！"
Iutteredanexclamation。
"Haveyounotdeceivedme？"quothhe。
"Oh，sire，Iamwearyofthesesuspicions！"Ianswered，affectinganindifferenceIdidnotfeel。"IfyourMajestydoesnot——"
Buthecutmeshort。"Answerme！"hesaidharshly，hismouthworkinginhisbeardandhiseyesgleamingwithexcitement。
"Haveyounotdeceivedme？"
"No，sire！"Isaid。
"YetyouhavetoldmedaybydaythatMadamedeConderemainedinBrussels？"
"Certainly！"
"Andyoustillsayso？"
"Mostcertainly！"Iansweredfirmly，beginningtothinkthathispassionhadturnedhisbrain。"Ihaddespatchestothateffectthismorning。"
"Ofwhatdate？"
"Threedaysgone。Thecouriertravellednightandday。"
"Theymaybetrue，andstillshemaybehereto-day？"hesaid，staringatme。
"Impossible，sire！"
"But，man，Ihavejustseenher！"hecriedimpatiently。
"MadamedeConde？"
"Yes，MadamedeConde，orIamamadman！"Henryanswered，speakingalittlemoremoderately。"IsawhergallopoutofthepatchofrocksattheendoftheDormoir——wherethetreesbegin。
Shedidnotheedthelineofthehounds，butturnedstraightdowntheboxwoodride；and，afterthat，ledasIfollowed。Didyounotseeher？"
"No，sire，"Isaid，inexpressiblyalarmed——Icouldtakeitfornothingbutfantasy——"Isawnoone。"
"AndIsawherasclearlyasIseeyou，"heanswered。"Sheworetheyellowostrich-feathersheworelastyear，androdeherfavouritechestnuthorsewithawhitestocking。ButIcouldhavesworntoherbyherfigurealone；andshewavedherhandtome。"
"But，sire，outofthemanyladiesridingto-day——"
"Thereisnoladywearingayellowfeather，"heansweredpassionately。"Andthehorse！AndIknewher，man！Besides，shewavedtome！And，fortheothers——whyshouldtheyturnfromthehuntandtaketothewoods？"
Icouldnotanswerthis，butIlookedathiminfear；for，asitwasimpossiblethatthePrincessdeCondecouldbehere，Isawnoalternativebuttothinkhimsmittenwithmadness。Theextravaganceofthepassionwhichhehadentertainedforher，andthewrathintowhichthenewsofherflightwithheryounghusbandhadthrownhim，tosaynothingofthedepressionunderwhichhehadsincesuffered，renderedtheideanotsounlikelyasitnowseems。Atanyrate，Iwasdrivenforamomenttoentertainit；andgazedathiminsilence，apreytothemostdreadfulapprehensions。
Westoodinanarrowride，borderedbyevergreens，withwhichthatpartoftheforestisplanted；andbutforthesongsofthebirdsthestillnesswouldhavebeenabsolute。OnasuddentheKingremovedhiseyesfromme，and，walkinghishorseapaceortwoalongtheride，utteredacryofjoy。
Hepointedtotheground。"Weareright！"hesaid。"Therearehertracks！Come！Wewillovertakeheryet！"
Ilooked，andsawthefreshprintsofahorse'sshoes，andfeltagreatweightrolloffmymind，foratleasthehadseensomeone。
Inolongerhesitatedtofallinwithhishumour，but，ridingafterhim，keptathiselbowuntilhereachedtheendoftheride。Here，avistaopeningrightandleft，andthegroundbeinghardandfreefromtracks，westoodataloss；untiltheKing，whoseeyesightwasalwaysofthekeenest，utteredanexclamation，andstartedfrommeatagallop。
Ifollowedmoreslowly，andsawhimdismountandpickupaglove，which，evenatthatdistance，hehaddiscernedlyinginthemiddleofoneofthepaths。Hecried，withaflushedface，thatitwasMadamedeConde's；andadded:"Ithasherperfume——herperfume，whichnooneelseuses！"