times, prince?' said Hubert, whose sorrow made
him gruff.

'Indeed there may be many things that make people sad,' replied Prince
Arthur, 'although I was nearly forgetting that any one could be unhappy
who is out of prison.--Indeed, Hubert, I am beginning to think that if
only I were free and kept sheep I could be as merry as the day is long.
Perhaps I should not trouble any longer about being a king if only I
had the blue sky above my head once more, and no prison bars.--I wish I
were your son, Hubert; and then I should not have to spend my time in
prison.'

Poor Hubert, it was necessary that he should tell the prince what was
going to happen; and yet the longer he waited the more impossible it
seemed for him to begin. He moved uneasily about the room, and looked
so gloomy, that Arthur felt sure that something was the matter.

'Here, prince, read this letter,' said Hubert abruptly at last, feeling
it impossible that he could utter the dreadful news.

Arthur took the letter; and then he became deadly pale.

'Hubert, is this true?' he said.

'Prince, these are your uncle's orders!' said Hubert with a shaking
voice.

'Have you the heart to do it?' said Arthur piteously. 'Will you indeed
burn out my eyes?'

'I must,' said Hubert; 'your uncle has sent two men to see that it is
done.'

'O Hubert!' was all that Arthur could say.

'Better get it over quickly,' muttered Hubert to himself, and he called
the executioners, who had been waiting outside the door.

'Send these men away, Hubert!' cried the boy. 'I will stay quite
still, Hubert, I will not move if you will do it yourself; but I cannot
bear the sight of these men.'

'You may go,' said Hubert to the executioners; 'I will call when I am
ready for you.'

'Indeed,' said one of the men, who had pitied the boy, 'I am best
pleased to be away from such a deed.'

But it was impossible for Hubert to burn out the eyes of his dear young
prisoner; and it was impossible for Arthur not to beg for mercy.

'I cannot do it,' said Hubert more to himself than to the prince, 'and
I will not; I shall have to take the consequences.' He opened the
door, and called in the two men.

They came in unwilling, each hoping that he would not have to do the
deed.

'I have not burned out the prince's eyes,' said Hubert abruptly. 'What
is more, I am not going to allow you to do so. You can tell the king
if you like.'

'Indeed, sir,' said one of the men, 'we won't tell his