They went together into the house, and he told her of the arrangements he had made for her safe conduct to the coast in case of his defeat. She listened and made no reply.
They entered the sitting-room that opened on the garden, and the King closed the door, for he could hear some of his gentlemen without.
Henriette Marie seated herself on a worn leather couch and looked at her husband.
His face was pallid, his eyes heavy and shadowed, his hair damp about the brow; he continually put his hand above his eyes or above his heart.
"Last night I dreamt of Strafford," he said suddenly.
"It was a dream!" answered the Queen. "Is this a time to dwell on things unfortunate?"
He made no reply; he moved about the darkening room, aimlessly touching the furniture and the walls.
At last he stopped before the inert figure of his wife.
"Farewell, sweet," he said. "I have to join the Prince."
"Farewell," she murmured.