"Or rather, to be plain," said Des Comines, "he wishes to communicate these news at a private audience."
"Teste-dieu! my Lord King," said Charles, "this is ever the way our counsellors serve us – If they have got hold of aught which they consider as important for our ear, they look as grave upon the matter, and are as proud of their burden as an ass of a new packsaddle. – Some one bid Crèvecoeur come to us directly! – He comes from the frontiers of Liege, and we, at least," (he laid some emphasis on the pronoun,) "have no secrets in that quarter which we would shun to have proclaimed before the assembled world."
All perceived that the Duke had drunk so much wine as to increase the native obstinacy of his disposition; and though many would willingly have suggested that the present was neither a time for hearing news, nor for taking counsel, yet all knew the impetuosity of his temper too well to venture on farther interference, and sat in anxious expectation of the tidings which the Count might have to communicate.
A brief interval intervened, during which the Duke remained looking eagerly to the door, as if in a transport of impatience, whilst the guests sat with their eyes bent on the table, as if to conceal their curiosity and anxiety. Louis alone maintaining perfect composure, continued his conversation alternately with the grand carver and with the jester.
At length Crèvecoeur entered, and was presently saluted by the hurried question of his master, "What news from Liege and Brabant, Sir Count? – the report of your arrival has chased mirth from our table – we hope your actual presence will bring ipback to us."
"My liege and master," answered the Count, in a firm, but melancholy tone, "the news which I bring you are fitter for the council board than the feasting table."
"Out with them, man, if they were tidings from Antichrist!" said the Duke; "but I can guess them – the Liegeois are again in mutiny."
"They are, my lord," said Crèvecoeur, very gravely.
"Look there, man," said the Duke, "I have hit at once on what you have been so much afraid to mention to me – the harebrained burghers are again in arms. It could not be in better time, for we may at present have the advice of our own Suzerain," bowing to King Louis, with eyes which spoke the most bitter, though suppressed resentment, "to teach us how such mutineers should be dealt with. – Hast thou more news in thy packet? Out with them, and then answer for yourself why you went not forward to assist the Bishop."
"My lord, the farther tidings are heavy for me to tell, and will be afflicting to you to hear. – No aid of mine, or of living chivalry, could have availed the excellent Prelate. William de la Marck, united with the insurgent Liegeois, has taken his Castle of Schonwaldt, and murdered him in his own hall."