With that he burst into a passion of tears, and hid his face on the table in an abandonment of agony which amazed those about him, who knew neither what to say nor do in face of this overthrow of the Master whom they had always regarded as one who would preserve a decent control in the face of any sorrow, since he was a soldier and a statesman, and had kept his countenance in many a bitter crisis, and always shown a singular pride in controlling his passions—so much so, as to be stately and cold even to those he loved; yet here he wept before the very staring servants and gave no heed. Lord Portland thought there was something womanish and unworthy in this desperate grief; he went up to the King and spoke with a kind of heat. "Will you give way thus? Where is your trust in God?" He was speaking not to the King of England, but to William of Nassau, at whose side he had faced so many years of danger, his companion in arms, his truest friend. "She will go to everlasting peace," he said, with energy. "You, who have faced so much, can face the loss of her—for her sake, for her eternal good." If the King heard these words they did not touch him; he raised his head a little, and broke into incoherent lamentation in a misery of tears. Portland spoke to Dr. Radcliffe. "How long," he asked, "will it be?" "She may," answered the doctor, in a lowered voice, "live another day, my lord, no more; the smallpox are now so sunk there is no hope of raising them." "Should she not be warned of her danger?" "That is as the King wishes." "The King!" echoed Portland, in a tone of despair. He turned again to his master. "Sire," he said gently, "will you have the Queen told?" William looked up; the tears were streaming down his face for any one to see; he continually shuddered violently, and spoke so hoarsely Portland could with difficulty catch the words. "I’ll not believe it yet—I cannot—these doctors—must save her——" "Dr. Tenison," answered Portland, "is with her now—it were best that he should tell her of her condition——" The King broke out into ejaculations of anguish. "There was none like her in all the world—none! No one could know her great goodness. O God, my God, this is more than I can bear!" Portland turned his eyes away, broken himself. "I am amazed," whispered Dr. Burnet; "for surely I never thought him capable of such emotion." Dr. Radcliffe touched Portland on the arm. "Look to His Majesty," he said. "I think this will prove beyond his endurance—I will to the Queen." He took his leave softly. The King lifted his head and looked after him. "He said there was no hope!" he cried. "No hope!" "God is your hope," answered Portland strongly.