He was
perchance more fully in the King's confidence than any other person
at Court, and he was kinsman to De Laval, with whom he had plainly
already had much talk upon this subject. He drew us aside, and
whispered a story in our ears.
"His Majesty did tell it me himself," he said, "for there be nights
when he cannot sleep, and he calls me from my couch at his bed's
foot, and makes me lie beside him, that we may talk at ease; and he
told me, not long since, how that this trouble and doubt were so
growing upon him, that once he had fasted for a whole day, and had
passed the night upon his knees in the oratory, praying for a sign
whereby he might truly know whether he were the real heir, and the
kingdom justly his. For that were it not so, he would sooner escape
to Spain or Scotland to pass his days in peace; but that if the
Lord would send him a sign, then he would seek to do his duty by
the realm."
With awe we looked into each other's faces.
"The sign has come!" whispered Bertrand.
"Truly I do think it," answered De Boisi.
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