There was a little pool of
white liquid on the floor beside the bed.
La Trape uttered an exclamation of annoyance, and explained that
he had not seen it before; that it had not been there five
minutes earlier; and that he did not know how it came to be there
now.
"What is it?" I said, looking about for some pitcher that might;
have overflowed; but finding none. "Is it milk?"
"I don't know, your excellency," he answered. "But it shall be
removed at once."
"See that it is," I said. "Are the boughs in the fire-place
fresh?" For the weather was still warm and we had not lit a
fire.
"Yes, your excellency; quite fresh."
"Well, see to that, and remove it," I said, pointing to the mess.
"It looks ill."
And with that the matter passed from my mind; the more completely
as I heard at that moment the sound of the King's approach, and
went into the court-yard to receive him. He brought with him
Roquelaure, de Vic, Erard the engineer, and some others, but none
whom he did not know that I should be glad to receive.
Pages:
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323