rooms, all lighted up and
empty--the Duke sending a page to fetch M. Barillon out of the Queen's
private closet where he was talking with her--into a little chamber
that looked out upon the court, where there was a fire lighted. We had
hardly got there before the Ambassador came, all in haste, to hear what
had been done.

"I have spoken with His Majesty," said the Duke, looking very white and
drawn in the face. "He is in most excellent dispositions. He tells me
that he hath put off the Bishops and has not received the sacrament from
them and will not."

"And what of a priest, Sir?" asked the Ambassador sharply.

"I did not speak to him of that," answered the Duke so pompously that I
raged to hear him. "He said that Dr. Ken hath read prayers over him, and
told him that he need make no confession unless he willed; and that he
willed not, and did not; but that Dr. Ken read an absolution over him
which he values not at a straw."

"Sir," said I, very boldly, "this is very pretty talk; but it is not a
priest. His Majesty wishes for a priest; he told me so himself."

The Duke turned on me very hotly.

"Eh, sir?"

I made haste to swallow down my wrath.

"Sir," I said, "I did not mean to be discourteous. But I assure Your
Royal Highness that the King said so to me expressly. It is his immortal
soul that is at stake."

Then I understood what was the matter. The Duke flung out his hands as
if in despair.

"But what can I do?" he cried. "I am watched every instant. They will
not leave me alone with him. Dr. Ken eyed me very sharply. They suspect
something--I know they do--from my brother's having refused their
ministrations. How can I get a priest to him?"

Then again, by God's inspiration as I truly believe, a thought came to
me.

"Sir," I said, "I myself spoke with the King a while ago: and I do not
think that a soul saw who I was. I came through the little door at the
back of the bed. Why should not--"

The Ambassador struck his hands together.

"_Bon Dieu_!" he said. "I believe Mr. Mallock hath hit it again."

The Duke turned and eyed me very sternly.

"Well, sir, what is your plan?"

"Sir," I said, "let the chamber be cleared, or almost. Then let M.
Barillon here go in as if he had a message from the French King. While
he is there let a priest be brought by the back way, not through the
antechamber at all--"

M. Barillon held up his hand.

"There would not be time," he said. "It does not take half an