The shadow of his tall figure seemed to waver on the
tapestry behind him; and with a little imagination I might have
thought that the lights in the room had sunk. The soft
whispering of the pages outside could be heard, and a stifled
laugh; but inside there was not a sound. He carried the cup to
his lips; then he lowered it again.
I took a step forward.
He recoiled a pace, his face ghastly. "Patience, excellency," he
said, hoarsely. "I shall drink it. But I want to speak first."
"Speak!" the King answered.
"If there is death in it, I take God to witness that I know
nothing, and knew nothing! There is some witch's work here it is
not the first time that I have come across this devil's milk to-
day! But I take God to witness I know nothing! Now it is here I
will drink it, and--"
He did not finish the sentence, but drawing a deep breath raised
the cup to his lips. I saw the apple in his throat rise and fall
with the effort he made to swallow, but he drank so slowly that
it seemed to me that he would never drain the cap.
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