himself. Wherefore, tell him
that if he be not content with the establishment which he accepted on
entering my service, and which many men of good families have deemed
themselves fortunate to have, he must e'en seek a better fortune
elsewhere. For my part, I will in no wise hinder him, but shall be well
pleased if he can find some condition wherein to live according to his
deserts."

Robertet was as prompt to bear this answer to the Count as he had been
to prefer his request to the King. The Count replied that with the
King's permission he was resolved to depart, and, like one whom fear
urges to flight, he did not tarry even four and twenty hours; but,
just as the King was sitting down to table, came to take leave of him,
feigning much sorrow that his need should force him from the Royal
presence.

He also went to take leave of the King's mother, who parted from him
no less joyfully than she had formerly received him as a kinsman and
friend. And thus he returned to his own country; and the King, seeing
his mother and courtiers in amazement at his sudden departure, told
them of the fright he had given him, saying that, even if the Count
were innocent of that which was laid against him, his fear had been
sufficiently great to constrain him to leave a master whose temper he
had not yet come to know.

"For my part, ladies, I can see no reason why the King should have been
moved to risk himself thus against so famous a captain, except that,
forsaking the company and places where Kings find no inferiors ready to
give them battle, he desired to place himself on an equal footing with
one whom he suspected to be his enemy; and this that he might have the
satisfaction of testing the stoutness and valour of his own heart."

"Without a doubt," said Parlamente, "he was in the right; for all the
praise of man cannot so well satisfy a noble heart as its own particular
knowledge and experience of the virtues that God has placed in it."

"The ancients," said Geburon, "long ago showed us that to reach the
Temple of Fame it was necessary to pass through the Temple of Virtue,
and I, who am acquainted with the two persons in your tale, know
right well that the King is indeed one of the most valiant men in his
kingdom."

"By my word," said Hircan, "at the time when Count William came to
France, I should have feared his [the King's] sword more than those of
the four most accomplished Italian gentlemen at Court."

"We well know," sai