Queen's cry, not only
the nurse Philippe hurried in, but with her a very dark, keen-looking
man, who at once began applying strong essences to the King's face,
as Berenger supported his head. In a few moments Pare looked up at
Berenger, and setting him free, intimated to him, between sign and
whisper, to go into Philippe's room and wait there; and it was high
time, for though the youth had felt nothing in the stress of the moment,
he was almost swooning when he reached the little chamber, and lay back
in the nurse's chair, with closed eyes, scarcely conscious how time
went, or even where he was, till he was partly aroused by hearing steps
returning.

'The poor young man,' said Philippe's kind voice, 'he is fainting. Ah!
no wonder it overcame any kind heart.

'How is the King?' Berenger tried to say, but his own voice still
sounded unnatural and far away.

'He is better for the time, and will sleep,' said Pare, administering to
his other patient some cordial drops as he spoke. 'There, sir; you will
soon be able to return to the carriage. This has been a sore trial to
your strength.

'But I have gained all--all I could hope,' said Berenger, looking at his
precious papers. 'But, alas! the poor King!

'You will never, never let a word of blame pass against him,' cried
Philippe earnestly. 'It is well that one of our people should have
seen how it really is with him. All I regret is that Maitre Rene thrust
himself in and saw you.

'Who?' said Berenger, who had been too much engrossed to perceive any
one.

'Maitre Rene of Milan, the Queen-mother's perfume. He came with some
plea of bringing a pouncet-box from her, but I wager it was as a spy.
I was doing my best to walk him gently off, when the Queen's cry called
me, and he must needs come in after me.

'I saw him not,' said Berenger; 'perhaps he marked not me in the
confusion.

'I fear,' said Pare gravely, 'he was more likely to have his senses
about him than you. M. le Baron; these bleedings of the King's are not
so new to us familiars to the palace. The best thing now to be done is
to have you to the carriage, if you can move.

Berenger, now quite recovered, stood up, and gave his warm thanks to the
old nurse for her kindness to him.

'Ah! sir,' she said, 'you are one of us. Pray, pray that God will have
mercy on my poor child! He has the truth in his heart. Pray that it may
save him at the last.

Ambroise, knowing that she would never cease speaking while