Chapter Forty Three.
King Denis refuses.
Denis’s heart beat wildly for a few moments, as he asked himself should he be asleep or waking; but the heavy beating calmed down at once as he heard the King’s slow footsteps in the outer room, and then the question in the now well-known voice:
“No attendants?”
“No, Sire. I presume he is asleep.”
“Then I must awake him,” said the King sternly; “but my business is with him alone. Go, and retire the guards. I will summon you when I have done.”
“But, your Majesty—”
“Silence! Can I not defend myself were it necessary against a wounded man? Go, and at once!”
The chamberlain, whose voice Denis had recognised at once, retired in silence.
There was the trampling of the guards, the closing of the outer door, and then as Denis lay listening all was still, while he began counting the slow heavy beating of his heart.