ul. 'If the physicians deal hard with me,' he said, 'it will
be well that she should not be here till the worst is over.'

The physicians were there. A messenger had gone direct from Corbeil to
summon them; and Henry delivered himself up into their hands, to fight
out the battle with disease, as he had set himself to fight out many
another battle in his time.

A sharp conflict it was--between a keen and aggravated disease,
apparently pleurisy coming upon pulmonary affection of long standing, and
a strong and resolute nature, unquenched by suffering, and backed by the
violent remedies of a half-instructed period. Those who watched him, and
strove to fulfil the directions of the physicians, hardly marked the
lapse of hours; even though more than one day and night had passed ere in
the early twilight of a long summer's morn he sank into a sleep, his face
still distressed, but less acutely, and his breath heavy and labouring,
though without the severe pain.

The watchers felt that here might be the turning point, and stood or sat
around, not daring to change their postures, or utter the slightest word.
Suddenly, James, who stood nearest, leaning against the wall, with his
eyes fixed on the face of the sleeper, was aware of a hand on his
shoulder, and looking round, saw in the now full light Bedford's face--so
pale, haggard, and replete with anxiety, so dusty and travel-stained,
that Henry, awakening at that moment, exclaimed, 'Ha, John!' And as his
brother was slow to reply--'Has the day gone against thee? How was it?
Never fear to speak, brother; thou art safe; and I know thou hast done
valiantly. Valour is never lost, whether in defeat or success. Speak,
John. Take it not so much to heart.'

'There has been no battle, Harry,' said Bedford, gathering voice with
difficulty. 'The Dauphin would not abide our coming, but broke up his
camp.'

'Beshrew thee, man!' said Henry; 'but I thought thou wast just off a
flight!'

'Dost think one can ride fast only for a flight?' said Bedford. 'Ah,
would that it had been the loss of ten battles rather than this!'

And he fell on his knees, grasping Henry's hand, and hiding his face
against the bed, with the same instinct of turning to him for comfort
with which the young motherless children of Henry of Bolingbroke, when
turned adrift among the rude Beaufort progeny of John of Gaunt, had clung
to their eldest brother, and found tenderness in his love and protection
in his