“Bah!” roared the King. “Out of my sight! Go!”
The captain saluted, and began to walk backwards, the rowels of his spurs clinking, while his armour crackled loudly as he made his way; but before he was half the distance towards the door he was brought up short by the royal thunder which exploded with one sharp crack about his ears.
“Stop! At eight to-morrow let the outer court be filled with my archers of the guard and my horses ready. I will take up this quest myself.”
He rose to go, as the captain again saluted, and there was a sharp rustling of garments throughout the great chamber as the courtiers who had been present at the supper rose, when to the surprise of all the great door was once more thrown open, and one of the Court functionaries stepped quickly forward and in a loud clear voice announced:
“His Majesty the King of France.”
There was a peculiar thrill running through the great chamber, and then a heavy bang as Henry in his astonishment gave vent to his feelings in a truly English way, for he brought down his clenched fist upon the table with a thud which made the silver flagons leap, and one, the tallest on the table, thin and weak with age, missed its footing and came down upon its side, seeming to bleed the rich red wine in a little pool.
The next moment, with bandaged head erect and flashing eyes, Francis appeared in the doorway, resting upon Leoni’s arm, Saint Simon slightly behind on the other side ready to support his master should he want his help.
But none was needed. Francis stood for a few moments gazing towards the upper table where the King was standing, and his quick clear glance took in the position in a moment, for he had seen Denis standing a little to Henry’s left.
Then with a quick movement Francis thrust back Leoni’s arm and walked proudly up towards Henry’s chair bowing slightly once to right and left as he swept with disdainful eye the now silent throng.
Then, to use the good old grandmotherly term, a pin might have been heard to drop, as Francis pressed forward till close up to where Henry stood, and before the English monarch could recover from his surprise his visitor had laid his hands lightly upon his shoulders and kissed his cheeks.