"In a
moment he will be here," I said; while the King in distraction
sent messenger on messenger.
"He will come too late," the sinking man answered. "Excellency?"
"Yes, my good fellow," I said, stooping that I might hear him the
better.
"I took ten pistoles yesterday from a man to get him a scullion's
place; and there is none vacant."
"It is forgiven," I said, to soothe him.
"And your excellency's favourite hound, Diane," he gasped. "She
had three puppies, not two. I sold the other."
"Well, it is forgiven, my friend. It is forgiven. Be easy," I
said kindly.
"Ah, I have been a villain," he groaned. "I have lived loosely.
Only last night I kissed the butler's wench, and--"
"Be easy, be easy," I said. "Here is the doctor. He will save
you yet."
And I made way for M. Du Laurens, who, having saluted the King,
knelt down by the sick man, and felt his pulse; while we all
stood round, looking down on the two with grave faces. It seemed
to me that the man's eyes were growing dim, and I had little
hope.
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