KEW IN FAVOUR 61 



happily came to iny command ; it occurred to me that, 

 to appease the wrath of my flight, I must now show 

 some confidence ; I therefore faced them as undauntedly 

 as I was able, only charging the nearest of the attendants 

 to stand by my side. 



When they were within a few yards of me the King 

 called out, " Why did you run away ? " 



Shocked at a question impossible to answer, yet a 

 little assured by the mild tone of his voice, I instantly 

 forced myself forward to meet him, though the internal 

 sensation which satisfied me this was a step the most 

 proper to appease his suspicions and displeasure, was so 

 violently combated by the tremor of my nerves, that I 

 fairly think I may reckon it the greatest effort of 

 personal courage I have ever made. 



The effort answered: I looked up, and met all his 

 wonted benignity of countenance, though something still 

 of wildness in his eyes. Think, however, of my surprise, 

 to feel him put both his hands round my two shoulders 

 and then kiss my cheek ! 



I wonder I did not really sink, so exquisite was my 

 affright when I saw him spread out his arms ! In- 

 voluntarily, I concluded he meant to crush me ; but the 

 Willises, who have never seen him till this fatal illness, 

 not knowing how very extraordinary an action this was 

 from him, simply smiled and looked pleased, supposing, 

 perhaps, it was his customary salutation. 



She was soon relieved to find the King talk- 

 ing reasonably enough, though with a certain 

 flightiness, not very different from his ordinary 

 manner. He insisted on prolonging the inter- 

 view, after the Willises in vain tried to cut 



