one would want a blind boy to be King of England. So Hubert went into
the room where the little Prince was shut up.

"Good morning," said the Prince. "You are sad, Hubert."

"Indeed, I have been merrier," said Hubert, who, though he did not like
to disobey the King, was yet miserable at the wicked deed he had been
asked to do.

"Nobody," said Arthur, "should be sad but I. If I were out of prison and
kept sheep I should be as merry as the day is long. And so I would be
here but for my uncle. He is afraid of me and I of him. Is it my fault
that I was Geoffrey's son? Indeed it is not, and I would to heaven I
were your son, so you would love me, Hubert."

"If I talk to him," said Hubert to himself, "I shall never have the
courage to do this wicked deed."

"Are you ill, Hubert?" Arthur went on. "You look pale to-day. If you
were ill I would sit all night and watch you, for I believe I love you
more than you do me."

Hubert dared not listen. He felt he must do the King's wicked will, so
he pulled out the paper on which the King had written his cruel order,
and showed it to the young Prince. Arthur read it calmly and then turned
to Hubert.

"So you are to put out my eyes with hot irons?"

[Illustration: "YOU ARE SAD, HUBERT," SAID THE PRINCE.]

"Young boy, I must," said Hubert.

"And you will?" asked Arthur.

And Hubert answered, "And I will."

"Have you the heart?" cried Arthur. "Do you remember when your head
ached how I tied it up with my own handkerchief, and sat up with you the
whole night holding your hand and doing everything I could for you! Many
a poor man's son would have lain still and never have spoke a loving
word to you; but you, at your sick service, had a prince. Will you put
out my eyes--those eyes that never did, nor never shall, so much as
frown on you?"

"I have sworn to do it," said Hubert. He called two men, who brought in
the fire and the hot irons, and the cord to bind the little Prince.

"Give me the irons," said Hubert, "and bind him here."

"For heaven's sake, Hubert, let me not be bound," cried Arthur. "I will
not struggle--I will stand stone still. Nay, hear me, Hubert, drive
these men away and I will sit as quiet as a lamb, and I will forgive you
whatever torment you may put me to."

And Hubert was moved by his pleading, and told the men to go; and as
they went they said--"We are glad to have no part in such a wicked deed
as this."

Then Arthur flung his arms round Hubert and