A pale colour came into the grave little face.
"Oh, I want to be a soldier. I like the riding-school; but things you like are of the devil, Dr. Burnet saith." He looked anxiously at the King, as if hoping for a contradiction.
"I think that is beyond Dr. Burnet to decide," replied William. "And Your Highness must not let any one speak ill of soldiers—there is nothing better for a man to be. As God hath called you to be a king you will best serve Him by being what you feel a king should be—before all, a brave soldier."
The child gave a short sigh.
"I fear it is a very difficult thing to be a king," he said anxiously.
"Perhaps the most difficult thing in the world," answered William. "But Your Highness will reign in happier times."
"Sometimes," continued the little Duke, frowning painfully, "when my head aches and I cannot remember, and Dr. Burnet is angry with me, and I feel so tired, I wish I did not have to be a king—I wish——" He paused.
"What?" asked William; he put his fine hand delicately over the soft hair.
"That I was in heaven," said the child simply.
"Already!" cried the King. He went very white; he had seen a sudden look of Mary in Mary's sister's child.