"And to put this fair cause of mischief out of the way, you will agree to the Countess Isabelle of Croye wedding with the Duke of Orleans?"
"Fair cousin," said the King, "you drive my courtesy to extremity. The Duke is the betrothed bridegroom of my daughter Joan. Be generous – yield up this matter, and let us speak rather of the towns on the Somme."
"My council will talk to your Majesty of these," said Charles; "I myself have less at heart the acquisition of territory, than the redress of injuries. You have tampered with my vassals, and your royal pleasure must needs dispose of the hand of a Ward of Burgundy. Your Majesty must bestow it within the pale of your own royal family, since you have meddled with it – otherwise, our conference breaks off."
"Were I to say I did this willingly," said the King, "no one would believe me; therefore do you, my fair cousin, judge of the extent of my wish to oblige you, when I say, most reluctantly, that the parties consenting, and a dispensation from the Pope being obtained, my own objections shall be no bar to this match which you propose."
"All besides can be easily settled by our ministers," said the Duke, "and we are once more cousins and friends."
"May Heaven be praised!" said Louis, "who, holding in his hand the hearts of princes, doth mercifully incline them to peace and clemency, and prevent the effusion of human blood. – Oliver," he added apart to that favourite, who ever waited around him like the familiar beside a sorcerer, "Hark thee – tell Tristan to be speedy in dealing with yonder runagate Bohemian."
CHAPTER XVII. THE EXECUTION.
I'll take thee to the good green wood, And make thine own hand choose the tree. Old Ballad
"Now God be praised, that gave us the power of laughing, and making others laugh, and shame to the dull cur who scorns the office of a jester! Here is a joke, and that none of the brightest, (though it may pass, since it has amused two Princes,) which hath gone farther than a thousand reasons of state to prevent a war between France and Burgundy."
Such was the inference of Le Glorieux, when, in consequence of the reconciliation of which we gave the particulars in the last Chapter, the Burgundian guards were withdrawn from the Castle of Peronne, the abode of the King removed from the ominous Tower of Count Herbert, and, to the great joy both of French and Burgundians, an outward show at least of confidence and friendship seemed so established between Duke Charles and his liege lord. Yet still the latter, though treated with ceremonial observance, was sufficiently aware that he continued to be the object of suspicion, though he prudently affected to overlook it, and appeared to consider himself as entirely at his ease.