"I trust he will," answered Jean Charost; "but yet he is of a stern, unbending spirit, as I have cause to know."
"Ha! Has he been your enemy, too?" asked Du Châtel.
"Not exactly," answered Jean Charost. "Indeed, long ago he made me high offers if I would enter his service; but it was an insult rather than a compliment; for he had just then caused the assassination of the Duke of Orleans, my noble lord."
Du Châtel ground his teeth. "Ah, the villain," he said. "That is a score to be wiped off yet. But you must have done something to serve him previously. John of Burgundy is not a man to court any one without some strong motive of self-interest."
"I have often puzzled myself as to what could be his motive," answered Jean Charost, with a smile, "but have never been even able to guess at any inducement, unless it were some words of an astrologer at Pithiviers, who told him I should be present at his death, and try to prevent it."
"Heaven send the prophesy may be soon accomplished!" exclaimed Tanneguy du Châtel, with a laugh. "I longed to send my sword through him the other day at Troyes; but I thought it would be hardly courteous in his own house, when we were eating together. But if I could meet with him, lance to lance, in the field, I think one or the other of us would not ride far after."
"Shall I give you more wine, my lord?" asked a page, advancing with a flagon.
"No," replied his master; "I am hot enough already. Change that dish. What is there else for dinner?"
A man came in as he spoke, and said, in a low voice, "The duke is on the road, my lord."
"Well, let him come," replied Du Châtel. "We are ready for him."