"With all the soul that is left in this worn body do I accept the pledge, bairns," echoed Lord Crawford; "and as old as I am, I trust I may see it flutter yet. Hark ye, my mates," (for wine had made him something communicative,) "ye are all true servants to the French crown, and wherefore should ye not know there is an envoy come from Duke Charles of Burgundy, with a message of an angry favour."
"I saw the Count of Crèvecoeur's equipage, horses and retinue," said another of the guests, "down at the inn yonder, at the Mulberry Grove. They say the King will not admit him into the Castle."
"Now, Heaven send him an ungracious answer!" said Guthrie; "but what is it he complains of?"
"A world of grievances upon the frontier," said Lord Crawford: "and latterly, that the King hath received under his protection a lady of his land, a young Countess, who hath fled from Dijon, because, being a ward of the Duke, he would have her marry his favourite, Campo-basso."
"And hath she actually come hither alone, my Lord?" said Lindesay.
"Nay, not altogether alone, but with the old Countess, her kinswoman, who hath yielded to her cousin's wishes in this matter."
"And will the King," said Cunningham, "he being the Duke's feudal sovereign, interfere between the Duke and his ward, over whom Charles hath the same right, which, were he himself dead, the King would have over the heiress of Burgundy?"
"The King will be ruled, as he is wont, by rules of policy; and you know," continued Crawford, "that he hath not publicly received these ladies, nor placed them under the protection of his daughters, the Lady of Beaujeau, or the Princess Joan, so, doubtless, he will be guided by circumstances. He is our master – but it is no treason to say, he will chase with the hounds, and run with the hare, with any Prince in Christendom."
"But the Duke of Burgundy understands no such doubling," said Cunningham.
"No," answered the old Lord; "and, therefore, it is likely to make work between them."