Puppet Crown

While the absentminded hunter strode down toward the lower town and Mauricesipped his cognac the king lay in his bed in the palace and aimlessly fingeredthe cou... » 

While the absentminded hunter strode down toward the lower town and Mauricesipped his cognac the king lay in his bed in the palace and aimlessly fingeredthe counterpane. There was now no beauty in his face. It was furrowed and paleand an endless fever burned in the sunken eyeseyes like coals which suddenlyflare before they turn to ash. «