"Ay, that's what he did before his people," said he,
endeavoring to cheat himself with hopes. "But, privately --
between you and him -- what did he do? Answer!"

"Alas! my lord, he sent to me four cavaliers, who gave me
the horse with which you just now saw me come back. These
cavaliers conducted me, in great haste, to the little port
of Tenby, threw me, rather than embarked me, into a
fishing-boat, about to sail for Brittany, and here I am."

"Oh!" sighed the young man, clasping his neck convulsively
with his hand, and with a sob. "Parry, is that all? -- is
that all?"

"Yes, my lord; that is all."

After this brief reply ensued a long interval of silence,
broken only by the convulsive beating of the heel of the
young man on the floor.

The old man endeavored to change the conversation; it was
leading to thoughts much too sinister.

"My lord," said he, "what is the meaning of all the noise
which preceded me? What are these people crying `Vive le
Roi!' for? What king do they mean? and what are all these
lights for?"

"Ah! Parry," replied the young man ironically, "don't you
know that this is the King of France visiting his good city