b; "let us see the King!"

"One word more," continued Raoul sternly, when the hubbub had subsided.
"I am, as you are aware, for the Duke of Orleans, and he, mind you, is
loyal to the crown."

"So are we! _Vive le roi!_"

"And I will run my sword through the first man who insults the
Queen-Mother by word or look."

I was proud of Raoul at that moment, and Belloc gripped his hand,
saying heartily, "Forgive my rough words, Beauchamp; you are made of
the right stuff after all!"

Directly the door was opened the mob pressed forward, and I called
mockingly to Peleton to come inside the Palace, but that worthy, having
finished his work, slunk away.

To relieve the pressure other doors were opened, and soon we had a
motley throng of carters, hawkers, and shopkeepers, waiting to be led
to the King's room. At a sign from Belloc I accompanied them, and for
the first time Raoul perceived me. He dared not speak just then, but
his face showed how completely he detested his errand.

After a short delay the procession was marshalled into something like
order, and I must say, in justice to our uninvited visitors, that, now
their point was gained, no one could grumble with their behaviour.
They walked softly, and spoke in whispers, and as we approached the
royal apartments every man bared his head. The soldiers were out of
sight, and the Queen-Mother was attended only by the ladies of her
household. The Lady Anne's face betrayed no sign of fear. From her
manner one would have thought she was receiving a deputation from the
crowned heads of Europe.

The King, as Raoul had declared, was in bed, and sleeping so soundly
that the tumult and confusion failed to awaken him. Very softly the
men stole past on tip-toe, and, as they gazed at the handsome boy, more
than one grimy unkempt fellow murmured, "God bless him!"

All danger was at an end, the raging tigers who had stormed in the
courtyard were changed into lambs, and the only cry to reach the
soldiers on guard at the gates was, "_Vive le roi!_" As soon as the
last man had departed, the doors of the Palace were securely fastened,
and then M. Belloc despatched me by a private way to discover what was
happening in the city. In order to avoid undue attention I threw a
plain cloak over my gaudy apparel, but there was no danger. A few
hired agitators endeavoured to stir up the tumult afresh, but the men
who had beheld the sleeping King would not give them hearing.

"The Duk