RECOVERY OF LOUIS. 35

him, that at times his attendants believed he was
dead, he ordered a Cross to be stitched to his
garments. |

‘ How is this,’ asked Blanche of Castille, when she
came to visit her son on his sick bed.

‘Madam,’ whispered the attendants, ‘the king
has, out of gratitude for his recovery, taken the Cross,
and vowed to combat the infidel.’

‘Alas! alas! exclaimed Blanche, terrified, ‘I am
struck as fearfully as if I had seen him dead.’