sad and ashamed to remember that day in the forest. Such a change had
come upon the young man! He was no longer hard and cruel, but tender
and affectionate.

The King felt the change, and it made him angry.




XXIV

THE KING

Daily, as the Prince grew stronger, he became more and more devoted to
the animals, to John and the good Hermit. He could scarcely bear them
out of his sight. When they were with him his face lighted with
smiles, and he seemed to blossom as a flower does in sunshine. Only in
the presence of the King he grew silent and sad once more. The light
passed from his eyes as he looked at the grim old man. A visit from
the King was almost enough to undo the good effects of a whole day of
happiness.

The King knew this, and it made him furious. He did not see that it
was his own fault; that it was the badness in him which made the Prince
shrink. He thought it was the doing of some one else. He grew to hate
the Hermit and John and the animals, of whom his son and daughter were
so fond. In his heart he cared little for any one. He had never loved
the Princess Clare, and the Prince was dear only because one day he
would be king. Yet Robert hated to see them love any one else.