Arriere
Ban of France [the military force called out by the sovereign in early
feudal times, together with their vassals, equipment, and three months'
provision], and the Oriflamme displayed."

"Nay, nay," said the Duke, "that is more than is needful, or may be
advisable. The presence of your Scottish Guard, and two hundred choice
lances, will serve to show that you are a free agent. A large army
might--"

"Make me so in effect, you would say, my fair cousin?" said the King.
"Well, you shall dictate the number of my attendants."

"And to put this fair cause of mischief out of the way, you will agree
to the Countess Isabelle of Croye's wedding with the Duke of Orleans?"

"Fair cousin," said the King, "you drive my courtesy to extremity. The
Duke is the betrothed bridegroom of my daughter Joan. Be generous--yield
up this matter, and let us speak rather of the towns on the Somme."

"My council will talk to your Majesty of these," said Charles, "I myself
have less at heart the acquisition of territory than the redress of
injuries. You have tampered with my vassals, and your royal pleasure
must needs dispose of the hand of a ward of Burgundy. Your Majesty
must bestow it within the pale of your own royal family, since you have
meddled with it--otherwise our conference breaks off."

"Were I to say I did this willingly," said the King, "no one would
believe me, therefore do you, my fair cousin, judge of the extent of
my wish to oblige you, when I say most reluctantly, that the parties
consenting, and a dispensation from the Pope being obtained, my own
objections shall be no bar to this match which you purpose."

"All besides can be easily settled by our ministers," said the Duke,
"and we are once more cousins and friends."

"May Heaven be praised!" said Louis, "who, holding in his hand the
hearts of princes, doth mercifully incline them to peace and clemency,
and prevent the effusion of human blood.

"Oliver," he added apart to that favourite, who ever waited around him
like the familiar beside a sorcerer, "hark thee--tell Tristan to be
speedy in dealing with yonder runagate Bohemian."

CHAPTER XXXIV: THE EXECUTION

I'll take thee to the good green wood,
And make thine own hand choose the tree.

OLD BALLAD

"Now God be praised, that gave us the power of laughing, and making
others laugh, and shame to the dull cur who scorns the office of a
jester! Here is a joke, and that none of the brig