. These, however, privately won over, promised to serve him
"with body and goods." But one and all they told him, he must gain the
consent of the whole principality in a general council. That council was
convened: thither came not only lords and knights, but merchants and
traders,--all the rising middle class of a thriving state.

The Duke bared his wrongs, his claims, and his schemes. The assembly
would not or did not discuss the matter in his presence, they would not
be awed by its influence; and William retired from the hall. Various were
the opinions, stormy the debate; and so great the disorder grew, that
Fitzosborne, rising in the midst, exclaimed:

"Why this dispute?--why this unduteous discord? Is not William your
lord? Hath he not need of you? Fail him now--and, you know him well--by
G--- he will remember it! Aid him--and you know him well--large are his
rewards to service and love!"

Up rose at once baron and merchant; and when at last their spokesman was
chosen, that spokesman said: "William is our lord; is it not enough to
pay to our lord his dues? No aid do we owe beyond the seas! Sore
harassed and taxed are we already by his wars! Let him fail in this
strange and unparalleled hazard, and our land is undone!"

Loud applause followed this speech; the majority of the council were
against the Duke.

"Then," said Fitzosborne, craftily, "I, who know the means of each man
present, will, with your leave, represent your necessities to your Count,
and make such modest offer of assistance as may please ye, yet not chafe
your liege."

Into the trap of this proposal the opponents fell; and Fitzosborne, at
the head of the body, returned to William. The Lord of Breteuil
approached the dais, on which William sate alone, his great sword in his
hand, and thus spoke:

"My liege, I may well say that never prince has people more leal than
yours, nor that have more proved their faith and love by the burdens they
have borne and the monies they have granted."

An universal murmur of applause followed these words. "Good! good!"
almost shouted the merchants especially. William's brows met, and he
looked very terrible. The Lord of Breteuil gracefully waved his hand,
and resumed:

"Yea, my liege, much have they borne for your glory and need; much more
will they bear."

The faces of the audience fell.

"Their service does not compel them to aid you beyond the seas."

The faces of the audience brightened.