The back of this gentleman was towards Dr. Burnet.
"Dear God!" he muttered, seizing M. Zulestein's arm, "is it—the King?"
M. Zulestein, utterly pale, made a gesture of assent, and hastened forward. The man before whom the King knelt stepped back in a kind of desperation, and cried—
"If Your Majesty were to offer me your three kingdoms I could give you no other answer!"
At this the King fell forward on his face, and he was lying so, prone, when the Bishop and M. Zulestein entered.
Dr. Radcliffe wiped his forehead with his handkerchief, and looked round half-defiantly.
"Gentlemen," he said hoarsely, "I take you to witness I have done my duty. His Majesty asked the truth. It is smallpox, and Her Majesty is sinking rapidly. I was not called in until it was too late."
Portland had come from the window, and was raising the King.
"You have some courage, sir," he said grimly.
Dr. Radcliffe retorted in self-defence—