ited by the
light of the two candles that illumined the room, rose up from where he
had been kneeling, securing the straps of a valise.

No one spoke a word, for Leoni raised his hand as if commanding silence,
as he still held the wrist of Francis, who gazed vacantly from one to
the other as if he were in a dream.

"Is the Comte ill?" said Denis anxiously.

"A little over-excited," said Leoni quickly. "A cup of water, boy."
And as he spoke, without leaving his grasp of the King's wrist, Leoni
thrust the hand at liberty into his breast and drew forth a little
golden _flacon_, which glistened in the light.

"Set down the cup," said Leoni quickly, as Denis returned from the
bedchamber with the water. "Now, boy, unscrew the top of this, and hold
it in your hand."

Leoni held out the little glistening flask, retaining it tightly, while
Denis twisted off the tiny, cup-like top.

"Not that way, boy; turn it up so that I can fill it to the brim. Now,"
he whispered, "empty it into the water, and screw on the top once more."

This was quickly done, and the _flacon_ replaced.

"Now," continued Leoni, "hand the cup to the Comte. The ballroom was
overheated, and the wine he has drunk to-night has affected him.--Drink,
sir; you will be better then."

The King started slightly, looked wildly in the eyes that seemed to
master him, and with a slight shiver took the handed cup, drained it,
and uttered a low, deep sigh.

"Ah," said Leoni, smiling in a peculiar way. "Now, gentlemen, the time
has come for action. You, Saint Simon, be silent, and alert. There
must be no bloodshed unless it is to save the Comte. You will come with
us, and I shall depend upon your sword for our protection if there is
peril in the way. You, Denis, boy," he continued, turning to the young
esquire, who stood looking on now with his lips apart and a strange
feeling of misery and despair oppressing him, "you have your duty to
perform."

"Not to--" began Denis; but he was checked by the angry gesture the
doctor made.

"Silence, sir! Your master's work. Follow us outside, and remain there
on guard. The Comte's valise is ready. Never mind our own. Here,
quick! Where is the cloak?"

Denis darted to a _garde-robe_ and drew out the monarch's cloak.

"That's right. Throw it down there. You will now allow no one to pass
in here, but stand on guard till we return. If we are not back here by
the time the castle clock has chimed twice you w