his dress! I think you have conspired with him to drive me mad."

"Or rather, to be plain," said De Comines, "he wishes to communicate
these news at a private audience."

"Teste dieu! my Lord King," said Charles, "this is ever the way our
counsellors serve us.--If they have got hold of aught which they
consider as important for our ear, they look as grave upon the matter
and are as proud of their burden as an ass of a new pack saddle.--Some
one bid Crevecoeur come to us directly!--He comes from the frontiers of
Liege, and we, at least" (he laid some emphasis on the pronoun), "have
no secrets in that quarter which we would shun to have proclaimed before
the assembled world."

All perceived that the Duke had drunk so much wine as to increase the
native obstinacy of his disposition; and though many would willingly
have suggested that the present was neither a time for hearing news nor
for taking counsel, yet all knew the impetuosity of his temper too well
to venture on farther interference, and sat in anxious expectation of
the tidings which the Count might have to communicate.

A brief interval intervened, during which the Duke remained looking
eagerly to the door, as if in a transport of impatience; whilst the
guests sat with their eyes bent on the table, as if to conceal their
curiosity and anxiety. Louis, alone maintaining perfect composure,
continued his conversation alternately with the grand carver and with
the jester.

At length Crevecoeur entered, and was presently saluted by the
hurried question of his master, "What news from Liege and Brabant, Sir
Count?--the report of your arrival has chased mirth from our table--we
hope your actual presence will bring it back to us."

"My Liege and master," answered the Count in a firm but melancholy tone,
"the news which I bring you are fitter for the council board than the
feasting table."

"Out with them, man, if they were tidings from Antichrist!" said the
Duke; "but I can guess them--the Liegeois are again in mutiny."

"They are, my lord," said Crevecoeur very gravely.

"Look there," said the Duke, "I have hit at once on what you had been
so much afraid to mention to me: the hare brained burghers are again
in arms. It could not be in better time, for we may at present have the
advice of our own Suzerain," bowing to King Louis, with eyes which spoke
the most bitter though suppressed resentment, "to teach us how such
mutineers should be dealt with.--Hast thou mor