He said to himself, with satisfaction, "His disorder mendeth; he hath changed, and groweth gentler.

If he had followed his wont, he would have stormed at these varlets, and said he was King, and commanded that the women be turned loose unscathed.

Soon his delusion will pass away and be forgotten, and his poor mind will be whole again.

God speed the day!" That same day several prisoners were brought in to remain over night, who were being conveyed, under guard, to various places in the kingdom, to undergo punishment for crimes committed.

The King conversed with these -- he had made it a point, from the beginning, to instruct himself for the kingly office by questioning prisoners whenever the opportunity offered -- and the tale of their woes wrung his heart.