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！\"