ery startled and afraid, and shook his head
a little. Then one of the gentlemen sprang forward and took a candle
from one of the cressets to light the other with. His Majesty stood
smiling while this was done; but he said nothing. When it was lighted,
he turned again, and waved his hand to the company. Then he went out
after his gentlemen.

CHAPTER VIII

It was a little after eight o'clock next morning that I heard first of
His Majesty's seizure.

I had drunk my morning and was on the point of going out with my
man--indeed I was descending the stairs--when I heard steps run past in
the gallery outside; and then another man also running. I came out as he
went past and saw that he was one of Mr. Chiffinch's men, very
disordered-looking and excited. I cried out to know what was the matter,
but he shook his head and flapped his hand at me as if he could not
stay, and immediately turned off from the gallery and ran out to the
right in the direction of the King's lodgings.

I turned to my man James who was just behind me.

"Go and see what the matter is," I said; for after seeing the King so
well and cheerful last night, I never thought of any illness.

While he was gone, I waited just within my door, observing one of my
engravings, with my hat on. It was a very bitter morning. In less than
five minutes James was back again, very white and breathing fast.

"His Majesty is ill," said he. "Mr. Chiffinch--"

I heard no more, for I ran out past him at a great pace, and so to the
King's lodgings.

* * * * *

When I came to the door of them, all was in confusion. There was but one
guard here--(for the other was within with the Earl of Craven)--and a
little crowd was pestering him with questions. I made no bones with him,
but slipped in, and ran upstairs as fast as I could. There was no one in
the first antechamber at all, and the door was open into the private
closet beyond. It was contrary to all etiquette to enter this unbidden,
but I cared nothing for that, and ran through; and this again was empty;
so I passed out at the further door and found myself at the head of a
little stair leading down into a wide lobby, from which opened out two
or three chambers, with the King's bedchamber at the further end. And
here, in the lobby, I ran into the company.

There was above a dozen persons there, at least, all talking together in
low voices; but I saw no one I cared to speak with, sinc