CHAPTER X.

THE CONQUERED.


Painful and bitter were the days for Henry that followed his first
disappointment. He passed them in rigid seclusion, in his lonely
chambers; he would see no one, no cheerful word or gay laughter was
allowed in his presence. The servants looked at him sorrowfully; and
when the prince appeared at the parade the day after his painful
interview with Louise, even the king found him so pale and
suffering, he begged him to take a week's leave and strengthen and
improve his health.

The prince smiled painfully at the king's proposition, but he
accepted his leave of absence, and withdrew to the solitude of his
rooms. His heart was wounded unto death, his soul was agonized.
Youth soon laid its healing balm upon his wounds and closed them;
anger and contempt dried his tears, and soothed the anguish of his
heart.

The king was right when he said of his brother, "He is a man, and
will recover." He did recover, and these days of suffering made a
man of him; his brow, once so clear and youthful, had received its
first mark of sorrow; the lines of his face were harsh and stern,
his features sharper and more decided. He had experienced his first