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.
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