Chicot the Jester

ood flowed, but he had already lost blood enough to make him faint. However, during his fainting fit, this is what Bussy saw, or thought he saw. He found himself in a room with furniture

with long lashes, and with a skin under which he seemed to see the blood circulate, advanced toward the bed. This woman was so beautiful, that Bussy made a violent effort to rise and throw himself at her feet. But he seemed to be confined in there by bonds like those which keep

e. But suddenly she disappeared; and an opaque body interposed itself between her and Bussy, moving slowly, and stretching its arms out as though it were playing blindman's

e, "have I arr

made an effort to see if the sweet voice belonged to the lady of the portrait, but it was useless. He only saw the p

" thought Bussy, and he trie

proaching the bed; "you are wounded, are you n

voice again, with a sad accent, which

am going to see; meanw

his side, and then lost all consciousness. Afterwards, it was

was neither tapestry nor ceiling visible, and the portrait had also disappeared. He saw at his right only a man with a white apron spotted with blood; at his left, a monk, who was raising his head; and before him, an o

o me by opening the window, and I should have been better on my bed of white damask and gold than on the bare ground. But never mind, t

butcher, "we did not bring you here

the young docto

rs looked at

ssy, "I think you would do well to confess," said he, "there was no

ded his hand under his doublet, and felt his handkerchief

ingular,

permission, the lookers-o

said he, "will you

ear young man, the butcher is strong, and th

, my horse and I a

id the monk, "I think you

ou called?"

er Gor

has not yet arrived and as I am cold, I w

your hote

l de

l, "you belong

de Bussy

" And raising him, he was quickly carried home, whilst the monk went away

for his usual doctor, who f

sy, "has it not bee

the doctor, "

ous enough to ma

tain

dfolded, was this all delirium? Is nothing true but my combat? Where did I fight? Ah, yes, I remember; near the Bastile, by the Rue St. Paul. I leaned against a door,

hat the animal, bleeding and mutilated, had dragged it

yet when I remember she was so charming," and he began to describe her beauties, till he cried out, "It is impossible it should have been a dream; and yet I fou

see; can

ve quicksilve

ry

bed, and walked qu

ovided that you do not go on horseba

e seen another to-night. Yes, I saw him, a

ne has always a little fever after a sword wou

a bed with white and gold damask, and a portrait? Perhaps those wretches, thinking me dead, carried me to the Temple, to divert suspicion, should any one have seen them

or, "if you wish to get well, you

thout attending; "he acted as a frien

e five thi

not going out and seeing people which will

atient; act as you please, only I recommend you no

, and, after dressing, called for his lit