"You are right," he said, "Crèvecoeur, and I spoke hastily. Her fate shall be determined according to the rules of chivalry. Her flight to Liege hath given the signal for the Bishop's murder. He that best avenges that deed, and brings us the head of the Wild Boar of Ardennes, shall claim her hand of us; and if she denies his right, we can at least grant him her fiefs, leaving it to his generosity to allow her what means he will to retire into a convent."
"Nay!" said the Countess, "think I am the daughter of Count Reinold – of your father's old, valiant, and faithful servant. Would you hold me out as a prize to the best sword-player?"
"Your ancestress," said the Duke, "was won at a tourney – you shall be fought for in real melée. Only thus far, for Count Reinold's sake, the successful prizer shall be a gentleman, of unimpeached birth, and unstained bearings; but, be he such, and the poorest who ever drew the strap of a swordbelt through the tongue of a buckle, he shall have at least the proffer of your hand. I swear it, by St George, by my ducal crown, and by the Order that I wear! – Ha! Messires," he added, turning to the nobles present, "this at least is, I think, in conformity with the rules of chivalry?"
Isabelle's remonstrances were drowned in a general and jubilant assent, above which was heard the voice of old Lord Crawford, regretting the weight of years that prevented his striking for so fair a prize. The Duke was gratified by the general applause, and his temper began to flow more smoothly, like that of a swollen river when it hath subsided within its natural boundaries.
"Are we, to whom fate has given dames already," said Crèvecoeur, "to be bystanders at this fair game? It does not consist with my honour to be so, for I have myself a vow to be paid at the expense of that tusked and bristled brute, De la Marck."
"Strike boldly in, Crèvecoeur," said the Duke; "win her, and since thou canst not wear her thyself, bestow her where thou wilt – on Count Stephen, your nephew, if you list."
"Gramercy, my lord!" said Crèvecoeur, "I will do my best in the battle; and, should I be fortunate enough to be foremost, Stephen shall try his eloquence against that of the Lady Abbess."
"I trust," said Dunois, "that the chivalry of France are not excluded from this fair contest?"
"Heaven forbid! brave Dunois," answered the Duke, "were it but for the sake of seeing you do your uttermost. But," he added, "though there be no fault in the Lady Isabelle wedding a Frenchman, it will be necessary that the Count of Croye must become a subject of Burgundy."
"Enough, enough," said Dunois, "my bar sinister may never be surmounted by the coronet of Croye – I will live and die French. But yet, though I should lose the lands, I will strike a blow for the lady."