s passions, of any underhand practices.
Whatever he does, will be done in the face of day, and of the two
nations. And I can but add, that it will be the wish of every counsellor
around him--excepting perhaps one--that he should behave in this matter
with mildness and generosity, as well as justice."

"Ah! Crevecoeur," said Louis, taking his hand as if affected by some
painful recollections, "how happy is the Prince who has counsellors near
him, who can guard him against the effects of his own angry passions!
Their names will be read in golden letters, when the history of his
reign is perused.--Noble Crevecoeur, had it been my lot to have such as
thou art about my person!"

"It had in that case been your Majesty's study to have got rid of them
as fast as you could," said Le Glorieux.

"Aha! Sir Wisdom, art thou there?" said Louis, turning round, and
instantly changing the pathetic tone in which he had addressed
Crevecoeur, and adopting with facility one which had a turn of gaiety in
it.--"Hast thou followed us hither?"

"Ay, Sir," answered Le Glorieux, "Wisdom must follow, in motley, where
Folly leads the way in purple."

"How shall I construe that, Sir Solomon?" answered Louis. "Wouldst thou
change conditions with me?"

"Not I, by my halidome," quoth Le Glorieux, "if you would give me fifty
crowns to boot."

"Why, wherefore so?--Methinks I could be well enough contented, as
princes go, to have thee for my king."

"Ay, Sire," replied Le Glorieux, "but the question is, whether, judging
of your Majesty's wit from its having lodged you here, I should not have
cause to be ashamed of having so dull a fool."

"Peace, sirrah!" said the Count of Crevecoeur, "your tongue runs too
fast."

"Let it take its course," said the King, "I know of no such fair subject
of raillery as the follies of those who should know better.--Here, my
sagacious friend, take this purse of gold, and with it the advice never
to be so great a fool as to deem yourself wiser than other people.
Prithee, do me so much favour as to inquire after my astrologer, Martius
Galeotti, and send him hither to me presently."

"I will, without fail, my Liege," answered the jester; "and I wot well I
shall find him at Jan Dopplethur's, for philosophers, as well as fools,
know where the best wine is sold."

"Let me pray for free entrance for this learned person through your
guards, Seignior de Crevecoeur," said Louis.

"For his entrance, unquestionably," ans