The Kings Esquires | Page 5

while, and ready to spring into position for a fresh encounter; but at the same moment he noted the change which came over his adversary, who from being tense, erect and active, suddenly seemed to grow limp of body, though his face was more animated than ever. He hung his head till his chin rested upon his chest, his eyes literally flashed, and he gazed up through his bushy brows at the young courtier who had just joined them, while for answer to his request he slowly finished sheathing his rapier and then took his heavy gown from where he had thrown it upon a chair, and held it out to Denis.
"Help me," he said. "I am growing old and stiff."
The lad looked at him wonderingly as he recalled the marvellous activity of a few minutes earlier, and then helped his instructor to resume his garment.
"What!" cried Saint Simon warmly. "You will not go on? Why, doctor, I want to learn."
The doctor gave him a peculiar, double sinister look, and said, with his unpleasant smile playing about his thin lips:
"The time to bend and train the wand is while it is young and green. You, sir, have grown too old and tough and stubborn to learn."
"At five and twenty?" cried the young man, flushing.
"Yes, at five and twenty. The soil of a court makes a tree old before its time, and--hark! Did I not hear his Majesty ring?"
"Yes," cried Denis quickly, and hurriedly smoothing his hair, which hung loose from his late exertions, and then, readjusting his doublet and seeing to the hang of his sword, he hurried through the arras, those who waited hearing the click of the door latch as he passed into the King's chamber.
"You don't like me, doctor," said Saint Simon, as soon as they were alone.
"I don't dislike you," said the other, smiling. "Have I ever treated you as an enemy?"
"No; but--"
"Hist!" whispered the doctor, as voices were heard beyond the hangings; the door fastening clicked again, and the lad appeared, carrying himself in stiff and formal fashion.
"Gentlemen," he said, "enter. His Majesty will give you audience."
"Both? Together?" said the doctor.
"Yes. His Majesty asked who waited. I told him, and he bade me show both in."
"There, doctor," said Saint Simon; "it is not my doing, so don't visit this upon my head. I daresay he will soon send me away."
Then, following their young escort, the two men stepped into the darkened chamber where his Majesty, heavy-eyed, as if he was hardly yet awakened from sleep, lolled back in a short fur-trimmed robe in the corner of a couch, his left hand behind his neck, his right resting upon the shaggy head of a huge boar-hound which glanced suspiciously at the new-comers and uttered a deep muttering growl.
The King's fingers closed tightly upon the animal's ear, and he gave it a jerk.
"Quiet, Tonnerre!" he said. "Can't you see they are friends?"
Ugh! grunted the dog.
"Brute!" cried the King. "You see, gentlemen, he seeks the company of the wild boar so much that he has acquired his uncouth expressions. Well, Saint Simon, you want to see me?"
"Always, your Majesty," said the young man lightly. "You told me to wait upon you this afternoon."
"Did I? Well, I don't know that I want you. But to return your compliment, the place seems dull when you are not here."
The young man smiled and darted a triumphant glance at the saturnine-looking doctor, before turning to give Denis a look, his eyes sparkling with pleasure the while.
"And you, Leoni," said the King, yawning. "Tut, tut!" he added impatiently. "I am hardly awake. I was tired, gentlemen. Tonnerre and his brother here led us such a race yesterday that I feel it yet. Well, Leoni, what do you want?"
"Your Majesty told me that I might come and continue our little debate of yesterday--"
"To be sure, yes," said the King, yawning again. "Let me see; it was a sort of historical, half prophetic discourse, very learned and hard for a hunting man to understand, about the past and the future, and the safety of my throne, and its depending upon the recovery of a certain mystic stone carried off--carried off--let me see, Leoni, who did you say carried it off?"
"The enemy and invader of your country, your Majesty: Henry, the English King. But, your Majesty--" The doctor ceased speaking and turned slowly, to let his eyes rest meaningly upon the two young men in turn.
"Eh? What? You mean this is secret, and not for other ears?"
The two young men made a quick movement as their eyes sought the King's, and mutely asked the question:
Your Majesty wishes us to go?
"My liege, what I communicated was of the gravest import to you and yours, meant for your ears alone."
"To be sure, Leoni, but kings need very long