CHAPTER XV.
M.DE PERRENCOURT WHISPERS Slowly the room and the scene came back to me, disengaging themselves from the darkness which had settled on my eyes, regaining distinctness and their proper form.

I was sitting in a chair, and there were wet bandages about my head.

Those present before were there still, save M.
de Perrencourt, whose place at the table was vacant; the large sheet of paper and the materials for writing had vanished.

There was a fresh group at the end, next to Arlington; here now sat the Dukes of Monmouth and Buckingham, carrying on a low conversation with the Secretary.

The King lay back in his chair, frowning and regarding with severe gaze a man who stood opposite to him, almost where I had been when I drank of the King's cup.