"True; most right – thou pleasest me," said the King, cheerfully; "the Scottish honour was ever true, and I trust it accordingly. But treason!" – Here he relapsed into his former gloomy mood, and traversed the apartment with unequal steps – "She sits at our feasts, she sparkles in our bowls, she wears the beard of our counsellors, the smiles of our courtiers, the crazy laugh of our jesters – above all, she lies hid under the friendly air of a reconciled enemy. Louis of Orleans trusted John of Burgundy – he was murdered in the Rue Barbette. John of Burgundy trusted the faction of Orleans – he was murdered on the Bridge of Montereau. – I will trust no one – no one. Hark ye; I will keep my eye on that insolent Count; ay, and on the Churchman too, whom I hold not too faithful. When I say, Ecosse, en avant[24], shoot Crèvecoeur dead on the spot."
"It is my duty," said Quentin, "your Majesty's life being endangered."
"Certainly – I mean it no otherwise," said the King. – "What should I get by slaying this insolent soldier? – Were it the Constable Saint Paul indeed" – Here he paused, as if he thought he had said a word too much, but resumed, laughing, "There's our brother-in-law, James of Scotland – your own James, Quentin – poniarded the Douglas when on a hospitable visit, within his own royal castle of Skirling."
"Of Stirling," said Quentin, "and so please your highness. – It was a deed of which came little good."
"Stirling call you the castle?" said the King, overlooking the latter part of Quentin's speech – "Well, let it be Stirling – the name is nothing to the purpose. But I meditate no injury to these men – none – It would serve me nothing. They may not purpose equally fair by me. – I rely on thy harquebuss."
"I shall be prompt at the signal," said Quentin; "but yet" –
"You hesitate," said the King. "Speak out – I give thee full leave. From such as thou art, hints may be caught that are right valuable."
"I would only presume to say," replied Quentin, "that your Majesty having occasion to distrust this Burgundian, I marvel that you suffer him to approach so near your person, and that in privacy."
"O content you, Sir Squire," said the King. "There are some dangers, which, when they are braved, disappear, and which yet, when there is an obvious and apparent dread of them displayed, become certain and inevitable. When I walk boldly up to a surly mastiff, and caress him, it is ten to one I soothe him to good temper; if I show fear of him, he flies on me and rends me. I will be thus far frank with thee – It concerns me nearly that this man returns not to his headlong master in a resentful humour. I run my risk, therefore. I have never shunned to expose my life for the weal of my kingdom. – Follow me."
Louis led his young Life-guards-man, for whom he seemed to have taken a special favour, through the side-door by which he had himself entered, saying, as he showed it him, "He who would thrive at Court must know the private wickets and concealed staircases – ay, and the traps and pitfalls of the palace, as well as the principal entrances, folding-doors, and portals."