“No, Sire!” said the woman, wildly. “At all costs, you must get away. Flee, Sire; flee anywhere! They must not, they shall not find you here!” “They are already arrived,” said the King, still in the complete possession of his composure. “They have ridden very fast; they are dismounting beneath the window even now. Do you not hear their harsh, loud voices? One can even catch the words they utter.” All listened with wildly-beating hearts. “See! that is the chamber,” they heard the loudest voice of all exclaim, “with the light coming through the shutters. Now, do you watch back and front; spread out all round the house. D’ye hear me? Do you watch that window; ay, and do you watch the roof, too.” The speaker was plainly the leader, and just as plainly was labouring under a great excitement. The King smiled his charming, melancholy smile. “I would have you dry your tears, dear lady,” he said. “I think we can all suffer this event with fortitude. It is hardly so terrible as it seems.” “Sire,” cried the woman, “you must not, you shall not be ta’en!” “One man, and another one disabled and bedridden, cannot avail against a multitude,” said the King. “Besides, violence should never be resorted to in a lady’s presence, madam.” The woman gazed distraught this way and that about the chamber. Again and yet again she cried out that the King should not be taken. The King laughed. “There are but two places in which to hide, as I can see,” said he; “and I do not think either of them would afford us much protection. One is up the chimney; the other, under the bed.” Already the clank of arms filled the kitchen below. Boots and spurs rang on the stairs. They were coming up. “They shall not enter!” cried the woman, with an almost childish impotence. She ran to the door and turned the key in the lock. The King rose from his chair, still laughing. The act of the unhappy lady was that of a child. What could a frail piece of wood avail against a company of armed men? The door was tried and shaken. “Open!” said a stern, excited voice. “Oh, my King, my King!” the woman cried in her despair. “They must not, they shall not take you!” She set her back against the door. The next instant the first shivering blow fell upon it from without. The lock started; the hinges groaned. A second blow and the door was open, and the woman was driven hard against the bed. But as the foremost man entered the chamber she turned upon him, and made as if to thrust him back. Neither he nor those behind him heeded her, however. They pressed inexorably forward into the room.