them away, they came again. When at last I could
see plainly once more, the priest was holding up a little crucifix
before the King's eyes; and he made him a short address, very Christian
and forcible. I remember near every word of it, as he said it.

"Lift up the eyes of your soul, Sir," he said, "and represent to
yourself your sweet Saviour here crucified, bowing down His Head to kiss
you; His Arms stretched out to embrace you; His Body and members all
bloody and pale with death to redeem you. Beseech Him, Sir, with all
humility that His most Precious Blood may not be shed in vain for you;
and that it will please Him, by the merits of His bitter Death and
Passion, to pardon and forgive you all your offences; and, finally, to
receive your soul into His Blessed Hands; and, when it shall please Him
to take it out of this transitory world, to grant you a joyful
resurrection, and an eternal crown of glory in the next."

He bent lower, making a great sign of the cross with his right
hand--(and the King too tried to bless himself in response).

"In the Name," said he, "of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen."

* * * * *

One more joy and sorrow all in one was yet to be mine before the end. As
I opened the door for the priest to come back, His Majesty lifted his
eyes and saw me there; and I perceived that he recognized me. The Duke
had already risen up and gone down the room to bid them, I suppose, to
open the door and let the folks in again. Then, as the King's eyes met
my own he made a sign with his head that I should come near. I think
that if the chamber had been filled with but one mob of priest-hunters
and Protestants, I should have obeyed him then, even though I should
have been torn to pieces the next instant.

I went forward without a word, leaving the door open behind me, and
flung myself on my knees at the bedside.

His Majesty was too weary to speak, but, as I kneeled there, with my
face in my hands on the bedclothes, and my tears raining down, he lifted
his right hand and put it on my head, leaving it there for an instant.
It was all he could do to thank me; and I value that blessing from him,
a penitent sinner as he was, with the Body of our Saviour still in his
breast, as much as any blessing I have ever had from any man, priest or
bishop or Pope.

As he lifted his hand off again, I caught at it, and kissed it three or
four times, careless whether or no