"Yes, sire; for as soon as it was on the floor it began to writhe and roll and bite itself, with all its fur on end, like a mad cat. Then it flew to the door and tried to get out, and again began to spit furiously. I thought that it would awaken the King, and I let it out." "And then the King did awake?" "He was just awaking, your excellency." "Well, sire," I said, smiling, "this accounts, I think, for your dream of the house that fell, and the beam that lay on your chest." It would have been difficult to say whether at this the King looked more foolish or more relieved. Whichever the sentiment he entertained, however, it was quickly cut short by a lamentable cry that drove the blood from our cheeks. La Trape was in another paroxysm. "Oh, the poor man!" Henry cried. "I suppose that the cat came in unseen," I said; "with him last night, and then stayed in the room?" "Doubtless." "And was seized with a paroxysm here?" "Such as he has now!" Henry answered; for La Trape had fallen to the floor. "Such as he has now!" he repeated, his eyes flaming, his face pale. "Oh, my friend, this is too much. Those who do these things are devils, not men. Where is Du Laurens? Where is the doctor? He will perish before our eyes." "Patience, sire," I said. "He will come." "But in the meantime the man dies." "No, no," I said, going to La Trape, and touching his hand. "Yet, he is very cold." And turning, I sent the page to hasten the doctor. Then I begged the King to allow me to have the man conveyed into another room. "His sufferings distress you, sire, and you do him no good," I said. "No, he shall not go!" he answered. "Ventre Saint Gris! man, he is dying for me! He is dying in my place. He shall die here." Still ill satisfied, I was about to press him farther, when La Trape raised his voice, and feebly asked for me. A page who had taken the other's place was supporting his head, and two or three of my gentlemen, who had come in unbidden, were looking on with scared faces. I went to the poor fellow's side, and asked what I could do for him. "I am dying!" he muttered, turning up his eyes. "The doctor! the doctor!" I feared that he was passing, but I bade him have courage. "In a moment he will be here," I said; while the King in distraction sent messenger on messenger. "He will come too late," the sinking man answered. "Excellency?" "Yes, my good fellow," I said, stooping that I might hear him the better. "I took ten pistoles yesterday from a man to get him a scullion's place; and there is none vacant." "It is forgiven," I said, to soothe him. "And your excellency's favourite hound, Diane," he gasped. "She had three puppies, not two. I sold the other." "Well, it is forgiven, my friend. It is forgiven. Be easy," I said kindly. "Ah, I have been a villain," he groaned. "I have lived loosely. Only last night I kissed the butler's wench, and--" "Be easy, be easy," I said. "Here is the doctor. He will save you yet."