"It must be some dream of Mornay's," said Crèvecoeur, "or some old and absurd tradition of the place; – but we will examine."
He was about to open the closet door, when Louis answered, "No, Crèvecoeur, no – Your honour is sufficient warrant. – But what will your Duke do with me, Crèvecoeur? He cannot hope to keep me long a prisoner; and – in short, give me your opinion, Crèvecoeur."
"My Lord and Sire," said the Count, "how the Duke of Burgundy must resent this horrible cruelty on the person of his near relative and ally, is for your Majesty to judge; and what right he may have to consider it as instigated by your Majesty's emissaries, you only can know. But my master is noble in his disposition, and made incapable, even by the very strength of his passions, of any underhand practices. Whatever he does, will be done in the face of day, and of the two nations. And I can but add, that it will be the wish of every counsellor around him – excepting perhaps one – that he should behave in this matter with mildness and generosity, as well as justice."
"Ah! Crèvecoeur," said Louis, taking his hand as if affected by some painful recollections, "how happy is the Prince who has counsellors near him, who can guard him against the effects of his own angry passions! Their names will be read in golden letters, when the history of his reign is perused. – Noble Crèvecoeur, had it been my lot to have such as thou art about my person!"
"It had in that case been your Majesty's study to have got rid of them as fast as you could," said Le Glorieux.
"Aha! Sir Wisdom, art thou there?" said Louis, turning round, and instantly changing the pathetic tone in which he had addressed Crèvecoeur, and adopting with facility one which had a turn of gaiety in it – "Hast thou followed us hither?"
"Ay, sir," answered Le Glorieux, "Wisdom must follow in motley, where Folly leads the way in purple."
"How shall I construe that, Sir Solomon," answered Louis – "Wouldst thou change conditions with me?"
"Not I, by my halidome," quoth Le Glorieux, "if you would give me fifty crowns to boot."
"Why, wherefore so? – Methinks I could be well enough contented, as princes go, to have thee for my king."