38 STORIES FROM DAUDET

that Death should come and take me,
and I shall know how to prevent his
getting in here. Send for a company
of foot-soldiers, strong ones, to mount
guard round my bed... . Let a
hundred great cannon, with their
matches lighted night and day, be
planted under our windows. And woe
to Death if he dares approach me.’

To please the royal child, the-queen
gives a sign that he is to be obeyed.

Then the great cannon are heard
rumbling into the courtyard, and forty
tall guards, with halberds in their ‘hands,
enter and range themselves round the
room. They. are veterans, with gray
moustaches. The little Dauphin claps
his hands when he sees them. He
recognises one and speaks to him.

‘Lorrain! Lorrain!’

The old soldier makes a step towards
the bed.

‘I love you, dear old Lorrain. Let
me see your big sword. If Death comes
here you will kill him, won’t you?’