and down where it stuck in the wood.

"Worse and worse," said the doctor quickly, as he caught it by the
guard. "Why, Denis, you don't deserve to possess a blade like that.
There," he continued, as, apparently without an effort, he drew the
rapier from its imprisonment and handed it back to the owner. "There;
sheathe your blade, and if his Majesty is awake, tell him that I beg an
audience."

"And if he is asleep?" said the lad.

"Let him rest," replied the other, with a smile. "Let sleeping--kings
lie. They are always better tempered, my lad, when they have rested
well. Take that as being the truth from an old philosopher, Denis, my
boy, and act accordingly. You and I don't want to lose our heads
through offending the master we serve."

"I don't," cried the boy sharply.

"Nor I," said the doctor, with a smile that was more unpleasant than
ever. "There, go softly."

"Yea, I'll go," said the lad; "but I am sure he's asleep."

"If he is, make haste back and while I wait till his Majesty has ended
his afternoon nap, suppose I give you one of my prescriptions on the
proper way to use a sword."

"But will you?" cried the lad eagerly, his whole manner changing.

"To be sure I will. There was a time when I used to fence, and had
sometimes to wound or take life to save my own. But of late years my
work has been to heal."

The lad nodded sharply, rested his left hand upon the hilt of his now
sheathed sword, drew aside the arras to the right of the fireplace, and
passed through the door that faced him, one which closed behind him with
a soft click.

CHAPTER TWO.

A FENCING LESSON.

"Pert--impudent--all over the young courtier," said the doctor
thoughtfully; "but I like the boy for his father's sake. Yes, all that
was good and true. Now then, what will he say to me this time? I moved
him a little yesterday, and I think that his love of adventure will make
him think well of my proposals."

He stood thoughtful for a few moments, bent of form and dreamy of eye.
Then with a sudden movement he drew himself up quick and alert, and
looking ten years younger, as he swung back his long gown from his
shoulders, grasped his rapier by the sheath, brought round his right
hand to the hilt, and drew forth a glistening blade, to hold it at arm's
length, quivering in the rays of light which came athwart the room from
the high-up narrow window. Then falling into position, his whole body
seemed to glide forward fol