"Yet," continued the herald, "the noble and venerable Prince and Count will be disposed, all other disputes betwixt Burgundy and Liege being settled, to fix upon the Lady Isabelle such an appanage as may become her quality."
"He is generous and considerate," said the Duke, in the same tone.
"Now, by a poor fool's conscience," said Le Glorieux apart, to the Count of Crèvecoeur, "I would rather be in the worst cow's hide that ever died of the murrain, than in that fellow's painted coat! The poor man goes on like drunkards, who only look to the other pot, and not to the score which mine host chalks up behind the lattice."
"Have you yet done?" said the Duke to the herald.
"One word more," answered Rouge Sanglier, "from my noble and venerable lord aforesaid, respecting his worthy and trusty ally, the Most Christian King" –
"Ha!" exclaimed the Duke, starting, and in a fiercer tone than he had yet used; but checking himself, he instantly composed himself again to attention.
"Which most Christian King's royal person it is rumoured that you, Charles of Burgundy, have placed under restraint, contrary to your duty as a vassal of the Crown of France, and to the faith observed among Christian Sovereigns. For which reason, my said noble and venerable master, by my mouth, charges you to put his Royal and Most Christian ally forthwith at freedom, or to receive the defiance which I am authorized to pronounce to you."
"Have you yet done?" said the Duke.
"I have," answered the herald, "and await your Grace's answer, trusting it may be such as will save the effusion of Christian blood."
"Now, by Saint George of Burgundy" – said the Duke; – but ere he could proceed further, Louis arose, and struck in with a tone of so much dignity and authority, that Charles could not interrupt him.