compose himself to
devotion, but he was too much distracted by all that he had seen, until
he had said _ad sextam_, and then he was quieter, and sat down before
the table, looking upon the rood, and he did not know how long had
passed before the King came in.

* * * * *

My children, I like to think of Master Richard then; it was his last
peaceful hour that he spent until near the end when I came to him. But
the peace of his heart did not leave him (except at one time), in spite
of all that happened to him, for he told me so himself. Yet, save for
the little wound upon his head, he was clean of all injury at this
time, and I like to think of him in his strength and loveliness as he
was then, content to give his tidings from our Lord to the King, and to
abide what was to follow.

As the clock beat eleven, the King came suddenly through from his
parlour, but he was not alone: my lord cardinal was with him.

As Master Richard knelt down on the floor to do them homage, he observed
the King's dress: it was not as that of the other great men, for the
King loved plain dress, and folks said that the clothing he would have
liked best to wear was a monk's cowl or a friar's frock (and I doubt not
that there be many a monk and friar, and clerk too, who would have been
glad to change with him, for not every Religious man has a Religious
heart!).... [There follows a little sermon on Vocation.]

The King's dress was a plain doublet with a collar of ermine, and over
it a cloak of royal purple lined and trimmed with fur, but cut very
plainly with a round cape such as priests wear. He had the collar of
_Sanctus Spiritus_ over his shoulders, his cap on his head, with a peak
to it, and little plain round shoes (not like those pointed follies that
some wear, and that make a man's foot twice as long as God made it by
His wisdom). My lord cardinal was in his proper dress, and bore himself
very stately.

The King bade Master Richard stand up, and himself and my lord sat down
in the two chairs beside one another, so that half their faces were in
shadow and half in light. Master Richard saw again that the King looked
somewhat sick, and very melancholy.

Then the King addressed himself to Master Richard, speaking softly, but
with an appearance of observing him very closely. My lord, too, watched
him, folding his hands in his lap.

"Now tell me, sir," said the King, "what is this tidings that you bear?"

M