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"The cat to whom you gave the milk?" he said. "Yes, sire," La Trape answered, in a voice that seemed to come from his heart. "But still, courage!" the King cried. "Courage, man! A dose that would kill a cat may not kill a man. Do you feel ill?" "Oh, yes, sire," La Trape moaned. "What do you feel?" "I have a trembling in all my limbs, and ah ah, my God, I am a dead man!
La Trape fell into an attitude behind me; and the Breton, adopting a refinement suggested at the last moment, was sent out to intercept Grabot before he entered, and tell him that the inn was full, and that he had better pass on.
"If the girl were not a fool, she would have gone to the Ursulines. The abbess has a stiff neck, and is as big a simpleton to boot as you are. It is only a step, too, from here to the Ursulines, if she had had the sense to go on." My wife lifted her head, and looked at me eagerly; but I avoided her gaze and went out without more, and downstairs to my study, where I found La Trape awaiting me.
I lay for a time in agony, fighting for breath, and then my brain seemed to burst in my head, and I awoke." "I have had such a dream, sire," I said, drily. "Last night?" "No," I said, "not last night." He saw what I meant, and laughed; and being by this time quite himself, left that and passed to discussing the strange affair of La Trape and the milk.
Two hours after noon, therefore, I set out, as if for a ride, attended by La Trape only; but at some distance from the palace we were joined by Boisrosé, whom I had bidden to be at that point well armed and mounted.
"That the rest is simple," I answered, grimly. "He did not drink it before; but he will drink it now, sire." The King, sitting on the bed, laughed and looked at La Trape; as if his good-nature almost led him to interpose. But after a moment's hesitation he thought better of it, and handed me the cup. "Very well," he said; "he is your man. Have your way with him.
In place of the chateau we saw before us a small house, which La Trape presently recognized as an inn, situate about a league and a half on the Fontainebleau side of Malesherbes. We had still ample time to reach the Chateau by nightfall, but before proceeding farther it was necessary that our horses should have rest. Dismounting I bade La Trape see the sorrel well baited.
Acquitting himself of the commission with his usual adroitness, he returned with the news that a traveller of rank had passed through three days before, having sent in advance to order relays there and at Essonnes. La Trape reported that the gentleman had remained in his coach, and that none of the servants of the inn had seen his face. "But he had companions?" I said.
"No, no," I said, going to La Trape, and touching his hand. "Yet, he is very cold." And turning, I sent the page to hasten the doctor. Then I begged the King to allow me to have the man conveyed into another room. "His sufferings distress you, sire, and you do him no good," I said. "No, he shall not go!" he answered. "Ventre Saint Gris! man, he is dying for me! He is dying in my place.
With that I left the two Fonvelle purple with indignation, and Curtin with eyes and mouth agape and tears stayed and followed my host to his best room, Maignan and La Trape attending me with very grim faces.
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