Before sunrise he was up, and, without making a change of dress, went to the window. It was frosted over; he had to open it to see out. He quickly closed it again. The sight was terrible! In feverish excitement he threw on his cloak and hurried out. In the anteroom his physician, Sir James Wylie, was waiting, who at once accosted him with—
"Your Majesty may not go out to-day!"
"I may not? Who commands me?"
"I merely prescribe, sire—a right which physicians may exercise towards princes."
"But there is nothing the matter with me."
"But there may be. Your health is endangered."
"That rests in the hands of God." And he passed on.
In the audience-chamber he found Araktseieff.
"Your Majesty cannot go out to-day."
"So you, too, order me, as well as the physician."