The King's Esquires Part 2

The King's fingers closed tightly upon the animal's ear, and he gave it a jerk.

"Quiet, Tonnerre!" he said. "Can't you see they are friends?"

_Ugh_! grunted the dog.

"Brute!" cried the King. "You see, gentlemen, he seeks the company of the wild boar so much that he has acquired his uncouth expressions.

Well, Saint Simon, you want to see me?"

"Always, your Majesty," said the young man lightly. "You told me to wait upon you this afternoon."

"Did I? Well, I don't know that I want you. But to return your compliment, the place seems dull when you are not here."

The young man smiled and darted a triumphant glance at the saturnine-looking doctor, before turning to give Denis a look, his eyes sparkling with pleasure the while.

"And you, Leoni," said the King, yawning. "Tut, tut!" he added impatiently. "I am hardly awake. I was tired, gentlemen. Tonnerre and his brother here led us such a race yesterday that I feel it yet. Well, Leoni, what do you want?"

"Your Majesty told me that I might come and continue our little debate of yesterday--"

"To be sure, yes," said the King, yawning again. "Let me see; it was a sort of historical, half prophetic discourse, very learned and hard for a hunting man to understand, about the past and the future, and the safety of my throne, and its depending upon the recovery of a certain mystic stone carried off--carried off--let me see, Leoni, who did you say carried it off?"

"The enemy and invader of your country, your Majesty: Henry, the English King. But, your Majesty--" The doctor ceased speaking and turned slowly, to let his eyes rest meaningly upon the two young men in turn.

"Eh? What? You mean this is secret, and not for other ears?"

The two young men made a quick movement as their eyes sought the King's, and mutely asked the question:

Your Majesty wishes us to go?

"My liege, what I communicated was of the gravest import to you and yours, meant for your ears alone."

"To be sure, Leoni, but kings need very long ears indeed to take in all that concerns them--and have them too, sometimes, my learned doctor, as I have no doubt you men of wisdom think. But to be serious; I find I cannot hear all I want for myself, and am glad to have the help of other ears that I can trust. You are suspicious, my good old friend."

"No, your Majesty: cautious in your service. Years of experience have taught me to trust no one in your Majesty's service but myself."

"Ah, but you are not a king. Where should I be if I trusted none?"

The doctor bowed.

"There, you see, I trust you; and what is more, I trust these two boys as thoroughly as anyone at Court. You know, old friend, that there are hundreds here who will say they would die for me. Now, those two lads would not say such a thing to save their lives."

"Your Majesty!" cried the two young courtiers, in the same tone of protest.

"Well," said the King, smiling; "I am right. I believe you would either of you die to save me, and without saying word."

The pair drew back, smiling and satisfied, each glancing at the doctor as much as to say, Do you hear that?

"There," said the King, "I trust you all; so now go on, Leoni, and say what you have to say; and, boys, mind this; we are in secret conclave now. There must be no chattering afterwards, or discussion."

"Your Majesty commands," said the doctor gravely. "Shall I continue from where we left off yesterday?"

"No; let's have it all again. My gallop yesterday through the forest gave me so much to do in managing a fiery horse and keeping him from breaking my neck amongst the boughs as he carried me into so many real dangers, that all your imaginary notions were swept away. Let's have it all again."

The doctor bowed.

"It will save me," said the King, "from making only a half confidence to my young friends here. But be brief. Put it if you can into a few words. You in your studies and porings over black books are convinced-- of what?"

"That your Majesty's throne and succession--"

"Well, really, Leoni, I don't know that I care much about the succession. But my throne is not a safe seat unless--"

"Unless, your Majesty, that half sacred mystic balas ruby that was carried off by Henry of England is brought back and restored to its place in the French Crown."

"Yes, that's it," said the King. "I remember all now. But do you believe, Leoni, as a man who has long studied the secrets of nature, and the mysteries of life, that there can be such virtue in precious stones that they can influence our lives?"

"Yes, your Majesty," said the doctor solemnly; "and everything goes to prove it the wide world through; amongst the greatest and most civilised down to the most savage nations these talismanic gems have been preserved and treasured up. Prosperity and safety of life have always accompanied their possession; misfortune and destruction their loss."

"Well," said the King thoughtfully, "I don't think that I believe it.

It sounds to me like an old woman's tale."

"If your Majesty would read and study the history of the past--"

"I haven't time," said the King. "But look here; do you mean to tell me that this present Henry--what is he--the Eighth?--of England believes all this?"

"Yes, your Majesty, and proves it by treasuring up the ruby that by right is yours."

"Then you think that the holding of this stone, reft from our crown, had something to do with the hold of these English upon our fair domains of France?"

"Certainly, your Majesty, and moreover, I hold that it is your sovereign duty to restore it to its place."

"How?" said the King, and his eyes rested upon those of the two young men, whose intent and watchful faces told how they were drinking in with intense interest the subject that was being discussed.

"That, your Majesty," said the doctor gravely, "is what I am here to urge upon you."

"But what do you want, man?" cried the King impatiently. "If Henry is more wise than I, and believes in all this mystic stuff, is it likely that he will give me back this talisman, as I suppose you would call it, that his ancestors plundered from our crown?"

"No, your Majesty. Efforts have been made by statesmen of the past, in previous reigns, to get the jewel back, but all in vain."

"Very well," said the King impatiently; "and France seems to have got on very well without it. We are at peace with England. Why should I disturb our friendly brotherly intercourse by raking up the past? I am quite content and happy to enjoy my hunting pursuits. Do you want me to go to war, invade England, and bring the jewel back?"

"Far from it, your Majesty."

"Then why disturb the pleasant present?"

"For fear of a troubled future, Sire. It is to ensure your long and prosperous reign that I speak like this. Believe me, Sire, I have no other aim."

"Well, Leoni, I believe your words. You have a good position here at Court, and a good master ready to give you anything in reason; and believe me, I want to enjoy a quiet prosperous reign. Mine is a very pleasant life. There are plenty of boars to kill, and I would rather slay them than Englishmen. War is very attractive and very grand. The clash of arms, the trumpets' bray, and the thunder of chargers' hoofs, all thrill me to the core; but I prefer it in the tourney, the mimic charge, and I don't much care for blood. But you as a wise and thoughtful man, you tell me that I ought to stir in this and get the ruby back?"

"I do, Sire," said Leoni sternly.