weak, that I can find
no means of accusing this traitor, and convicting him of his sinful
and blasphemous deeds. Oh, where may I find him--that true friend, that
devoted servant, who ventures to understand my unuttered thoughts, and
fulfil the wishes to which I dare not give a name?"

Just as he was thus thinking, the door behind him opened and in walked
Earl Douglas. His countenance was proud and triumphant, and so wild a
joy gleamed from his eyes that even the king was surprised at it.

"Oh," said he, peevishly, "you call yourself my friend; and you are
cheerful, Douglas, while your king is a poor prisoner whom the gout has
chained with brazen bands to this chair."

"You will recover, my king, and go forth from this imprisonment as
the conqueror, dazzling and bright, that by his appearance under God's
blessing treads all his enemies in the dust--that triumphs over all
those who are against him, and would betray their king!"

"Are there, then, any such traitors, who threaten their king?" asked
Henry, with a dark frown.

"Ay, there are such traitors!"

"Name them to me!" said the king, trembling with passionate impatience.
"Name them to me, that my arm may crush them and my avenging justice
overtake the heads of the guilty."

"It is superfluous to mention them, for you, King Henry, the wise and
all-knowing--you know their names."

And bending down closer to the king's ear, Earl Douglas continued: "King
Henry, I certainly have a right to call myself your most faithful and
devoted servant, for I have read your thoughts. I have understood the
noble grief that disturbs your heart, and banishes sleep from your eyes
and peace from your soul. You saw the foe that was creeping in the dark;
you heard the low hiss of the serpent that was darting his venomous
sting at your heel. But you were so much the noble and intrepid king,
that you would not yourself become the accuser--nay, you would not once
draw back the foot menaced by the serpent. Great and merciful, like God
Himself, you smiled upon him whom you knew to be your enemy. But I, my
king--I have other duties. I am like the faithful dog, that has eyes
only for the safety of his master, and falls upon every one that comes
to menace him. I have seen the serpent that would kill you, and I will
bruise his head!"

"And what is the name of this serpent of which you speak?" asked
the king; and his heart beat so boisterously that he felt it on his
trembling lips.

"It is