* * * * *

Again I followed him to the door, and kneeled there where I could see; and then there followed such a scene as I had never dreamed of.

The curtains on the other side of the bed had been drawn back just enough to admit the face of the Duke who now kneeled there, yet not so much that any of the three others at the further end of the chamber could see into the bed.  The candlelight streamed in through the opening above the Duke’s head; and in it, I saw His Majesty, all weak as he was, striving to rise, with his eyes fixed on That which the priest was holding in his right hand.  I saw the priest’s left hand go out to restrain him; but I heard the King’s voice distinctly.

“Father,” he said very brokenly, “let me receive my Heavenly Saviour in a better posture than lying on my bed.”

“Sir,” said Mr. Huddleston with great firmness, “lie down again, if you please.  God Almighty who sees your heart will accept your good intention.”

(But neither of them spoke loud enough to be heard at the further end of the great chamber.)

And so he was persuaded to lie down again.

Then the priest repeated again, still holding the Blessed Sacrament before the King’s eyes, the Act of Contrition of which I had heard a word or two a while ago; and His Majesty repeated it after him, word for word, very devoutly.

Then, as the time was short Mr. Huddleston omitted several of the proper prayers, and proceeded at once to the Communion, saying but the Agnus Dei three times, and then communicating him immediately.  With my own eyes I saw that holy act which sealed all and admitted the dying man to sacramental union with his God.  His eyes were closed throughout; and when it was done he lay as still as a stone, his poor wasted face all dark against the white pillows.  I caught a glimpse too of the Duke:  his face was bowed in his hands, and he was weeping so that his shoulders shook with it.

Presently the priest was reading again as well as he could in a very low whisper the prayers for the Recommendation of a Departing Soul, down to the very end.  His Majesty lay motionless throughout.  At the end he opened his eyes.

“Father,” he whispered, “the Act of Contrition once more, if you please.  I have sinned, I have sinned very—­” He could speak no more for weeping.

Then, once more, very slowly and tenderly, the priest repeated it; down to Mercy, Sweet Jesus, Mercy! My own eyes were all dim with tears, and as fast as I brushed them away, they came again.  When at last I could see plainly once more, the priest was holding up a little crucifix before the King’s eyes; and he made him a short address, very Christian and forcible.  I remember near every word of it, as he said it.