‘No one knows,’ said Luke. ‘But stay, I beg you, tonight at least—if only for the Queen Mother’s sake.’
Again Giles made no answer. And Luke persuaded him no further. They rode on up to the castle.
Here no noisy welcome awaited the King’s Finder, returning with the King’s bride. Instead, a solemn hush of anxious fear seemed hanging over the whole palace. Luke directed the driver round to a private entrance to the King’s tower. There Giles got Barbara quietly out of the coach and at once led her up the winding stair. The esquire followed.
In the ante-chamber to the King’s bedroom they found three persons: the Queen Mother, Anne and Doctor Seymour. The faces of all were very grave. The Queen barely glanced at them. Seymour was the first to speak.
‘I fear there is very little hope for His Majesty’s recovery. He has not once regained his senses since he fell. It is the spine, badly hurt—very badly. The pulse is so weak now it can hardly be felt. It is my sad duty to tell Your Majesty,’ (he turned, bowing, to the Queen) ‘that the end can only be a matter of a few hours—perhaps a few minutes.’
Giles came over to the poor mother sitting huddled in a chair.
‘Will Your Majesty give me leave to go in and see him?’ he whispered.
The Queen nodded without looking up. Giles turned the handle softly and passed into the bedroom.
A dim light came through half-drawn curtains. In a raised alcove, on the bed, the body of the King lay very still. Coming nearer, Giles could see the face was twisted in pain; but the chest did not seem to move. It looked almost as though breathing had stopped already. He leant over and spoke into his friend’s ear softly. There was no answering sign.
Tears came suddenly into his own eyes. He turned away and moved to the open door.