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！"