But where is he?
Why tarries he?
A week has passed since he was here.

Where stays he ?" Before any of the attendants could reply, a knocking was heard without, and entrance demanded for the messengers of Philip of France.

"We are come," said they, "from our sovereign with the articles of treaty between yourself and him, arranged at your late conference, and which now await your ratification." Henry motioned to them to proceed to business; and as each article was read--declaring his allegiance to the crown of France and his cession of his own crown to Richard--he inclined his head mechanically in token of his assent, manifesting little or no interest in the proceeding.

But his attention became more fixed when the article was read which provided for the free pardon of all who had in any way, secretly or openly, been engaged in the cause of his rebel son.
He turned in his bed towards the reader, and said: "A king must know the names of his enemies before he can pardon them.

Read me, therefore, the list of those who have rebelled, that I may forgive them each and all, beginning with the noblest, down to the meanest." He lay back on his bed, and half closed his eyes as he listened.
The messenger of Philip then said, "The first and foremost of your majesty's enemies is John Plantagenet, your youngest son." He sprang with a sudden cry of pain into a sitting posture, and trembling in every fibre, and with a voice half choked, cried, "Who says that ?" Then glaring wildly at the envoy, he whispered, "Read it again!" "The first and foremost of your majesty's enemies is John Plantagenet, your youngest son." "Can it be true ?" gasped the poor father, in helpless despair.