bringing the much-needed physician.

Just then a door opened and Catharine appeared. She passed hurriedly
through the antechamber and hastily entered the apartment of her son.

Charles was stretched on his bed, his eyes closed, his breast heaving;
from his body oozed a crimson sweat. His hand hung over the bed, and
from the end of each finger dropped a ruby liquid. It was a horrible
sight.

At the sound of his mother's steps, as if he knew she was there, Charles
sat up.

"Pardon, madame," said he, looking at her, "but I desire to die in
peace."

"To die, my son?" said Catharine. "This is only a passing attack of your
wretched trouble. Would you have us despair in this way?"

"I tell you, madame, I feel that my soul is about to pass away. I tell
you, madame, that death is near me, by Heaven! I feel what I feel, and I
know what I am talking about!"

"Sire," said the queen, "your imagination is your most serious trouble.
Since the well-merited punishment of those two sorcerers, those
assassins, La Mole and Coconnas, your physical suffering should have
diminished. The mental trouble alone continues, and if I could talk with
you for just ten minutes I could prove to you"--

"Nurse," said Charles, "watch at the door that no one may enter. Queen
Catharine de Medicis wishes to speak with her well-loved son Charles
IX."

The nurse withdrew.

"Well," continued Charles, "this interview will have to take place some
day or other, and better to-day than to-morrow. Besides, to-morrow may
be too late. But a third person must be present."

"Why?"

"Because I tell you I am dying," repeated Charles with frightful
seriousness; "because at any moment death may enter this chamber, as
you have done, pale, silent, and unannounced. It is, therefore, time.
Last night I settled my personal affairs; this morning I will arrange
those of the kingdom."

"What person do you desire to see?" asked Catharine.

"My brother, madame. Have him summoned."

"Sire," said the queen, "I see with pleasure that the prejudices
dictated by hatred rather than pain are leaving your mind, as they soon
will fade from your heart. Nurse!" cried Catharine, "nurse!"

The woman, who was keeping watch outside, opened the door.

"Nurse," said Catharine, "by order of my son, when Monsieur de Nancey
returns say to him to summon the Duc d'Alencon."

Charles made a sign which detained the woman.

"I said my brother, madame," said Charles.

Catharine's eye