therly affection, but turning ever to John of Bedford with
full trust and reliance, as one like-minded, and able to carry out all
his intentions. For the French prisoners, they might not be released,
'lest more fire be kindled in one day than can be quenched in three.'

'And for you, Jamie,' he said, affectionately holding out his hand, 'my
friend, my brother-in-arms, I must say the same as ever. Pardon me,
Jamie; but I have not kept you out of malice, such as man must needs
renounce on his death-bed. I trust to John, and to the rest, for giving
you freedom at such time as you can safely return to be such a king
indeed as we have ever hoped to be. Do you pardon me, James, for this,
as for any harshness or rudeness you may have suffered from me?'

James, with full heart, murmured out his ardent love, his sense that no
captive had ever been so generously treated as he.

'And you, my young lord,' said Henry, looking towards Malcolm, whose
light touch and tender hands had made him a welcome attendant in the
illness, 'I have many a kind service to thank you for. And I believe I
mightily angered you once; but, boy, remember--ay, and you too, Ralf
Percy--that he is your friend who turns you back from things sore to
remember in a case like mine!'

After these, and other calm collected farewells, Henry required to know
from his physicians how long his time might yet be. There was hesitation
in answering, plainly as they saw that mortification had set in.

'What,' he said, 'do ye think I have faced death so many times to fear it
now?'

Then came the reply given by the weeping, kneeling physician: 'Sir, think
of your soul, for, without a miracle, you cannot live two hours.'

The King beckoned his confessor, and his friends retired, to return again
to take their part in the last rites, the Viaticum and Unction.

Henry was collected, and alive to all that was passing, responding duly,
and evidently entering deeply into the devotions that were to aid his
spirit in that awful passage; his face gravely set, but firm and fearless
as ever. The ceremonial ended, he was still sensible, though with little
power of voice or motion left; but the tone, though low, was steady as
ever, when he asked for the Penitential Psalms. Still they doubted
whether he were following them, for his eyes closed, and his lips ceased
to move, until, as they chanted the revival note of David's mournful
penance--'O be favourable and gracious unto Si