The Prophecy Curdie sat and watched every motion of the sleeping king.

All the night, to his ear, the palace lay as quiet as a nursery of healthful children.

At sunrise he called the princess.
'How has His Majesty slept ?' were her first words as she entered the room.
'Quite quietly,' answered Curdie; 'that is, since the doctor was got rid of.' 'How did you manage that ?' inquired Irene; and Curdie had to tell all about it.
'How terrible!' she said.

'Did it not startle the king dreadfully ?' 'It did rather.

I found him getting out of bed, sword in hand.' 'The brave old man!' cried the princess.
'Not so old!' said Curdie, 'as you will soon see.