CHAPTER XXX: UNCERTAINTY
Our counsels waver like the unsteady bark, That reels amid the strife of meeting currents.
OLD PLAY
If the night passed by Louis was carefully anxious and agitated, thatspent by the Duke of Burgundy, who had at no time the same masteryover his passions, and, indeed, who permitted them almost a free anduncontrolled dominion over his actions, was still more disturbed.
According to the custom of the period, two of his principal andmost favoured counsellors, D'Hymbercourt and De Comines, shared hisbedchamber, couches being prepared for them near the bed of the prince.Their attendance was never more necessary than upon this night, when,distracted by sorrow, by passion, by the desire of revenge, and by thesense of honour, which forbade him to exercise it upon Louis in hispresent condition, the Duke's mind resembled a volcano in eruption,which throws forth all the different contents of the mountain, mingledand molten into one burning mass.
He refused to throw off his clothes, or to make any preparation forsleep; but spent the night in a succession of the most violent burstsof passion. In some paroxysms he talked incessantly to his attendants sothick and so rapidly, that they were really afraid his senses would giveway, choosing for his theme the merits and the kindness of heart ofthe murdered Bishop of Liege, and recalling all the instances of mutualkindness, affection, and confidence which had passed between them, untilhe had worked himself into such a transport of grief, that he threwhimself upon his face in the bed, and seemed ready to choke with thesobs and tears which he endeavoured to stifle. Then starting fromthe couch, he gave vent at once to another and more furious mood, andtraversed the room hastily, uttering incoherent threats, and still moreincoherent oaths of vengeance, while stamping with his foot, accordingto his customary action, he invoked Saint George, Saint Andrew, andwhomsoever else he held most holy, to bear witness that he would takebloody vengeance on De la Marck, on the people of Liege, and on him whowas the author of the whole.--These last threats, uttered more obscurelythan the others, obviously concerned the person of the King, and atone time the Duke expressed his determination to send for the Duke ofNormandy, the brother of the King, and with whom Louis was on the worstterms, in order to compel the captive monarch to surrender either theCrown itself, or some of its most valuable rights and appanages.
Another day and night passed in the same stormy and fitfuldeliberations, or rather rapid transitions of passion, for the Dukescarcely ate or drank, never changed his dress, and, altogether,demeaned himself like one in whom rage might terminate in utterinsanity. By degrees he became more composed, and began to hold, fromtime to time, consultations with his ministers, in which much wasproposed, but nothing resolved on. Comines assures us that at one time acourier was mounted in readiness to depart for the purpose of summoningthe Duke of Normandy, and in that event, the prison of the FrenchMonarch would probably have been found, as in similar cases, a briefroad to his grave.
At other times, when Charles had exhausted his fury, he sat with hisfeatures fixed in stern and rigid immobility, like one who broodsover some desperate deed, to which he is as yet unable to work up hisresolution. And unquestionably it would have needed little more than aninsidious hint from any of the counsellors who attended his person tohave pushed the Duke to some very desperate action. But the nobles ofBurgundy, from the sacred character attached to the person of a King,and a Lord Paramount, and from a regard to the public faith, as well asthat of their Duke, which had been pledged when Louis threw himselfinto their power, were almost unanimously inclined to recommend moderatemeasures; and the arguments which D'Hymbercourt and De Comines had nowand then ventured to insinuate during the night, were, in the coolerhours of the next morning, advanced and urged by Crevecoeur andothers. Possibly their zeal in behalf of the King might not be entirelydisinterested.
Many, as we have mentioned, had already experienced the bounty of theKing; others had either estates or pretensions in France, which placedthem a little under his influence; and it is certain that the treasurewhich had loaded four mules when the King entered Peronne, became muchlighter in the course of these negotiations.
In the course of the third day, the Count of Campobasso brought hisItalian wit to assist the counsels of Charles; and well was it for Louisthat he had not arrived when the Duke was in his first fury. Immediatelyon his arrival, a regular meeting of the Duke's counsellors was convenedfor considering the measures to be adopted in this singular crisis.
On this occasion, Campobasso gave his opinion, couched in the apologueof the Traveller, the Adder, and the Fox; and reminded the Duke of theadvice which Reynard gave to the man, that he should crush his mortalenemy, now that chance had placed his fate at his disposal. [The foxadvised the man who had found a snake by the roadside to kill it. He,however, placed it in his bosom, and was afterwards bitten.] De Comines,who saw the Duke's eyes sparkle at a proposal which his own violenceof temper had already repeatedly suggested, hastened to state thepossibility that Louis might not be, in fact, so directly accessory tothe sanguinary action which had been committed at Schonwaldt; that hemight be able to clear himself of the imputation laid to his charge, andperhaps to make other atonement for the distractions which his intrigueshad occasioned in the Duke's dominions, and those of his allies; andthat an act of violence perpetrated on the King was sure to bring bothon France and Burgundy a train of the most unhappy consequences, amongwhich not the least to be feared was that the English might availthemselves of the commotions and civil discord which must needs ensue,to repossess themselves of Normandy and Guyenne, and renew thosedreadful wars which had only, and with difficulty, been terminated bythe union of both France and Burgundy against the common enemy.Finally, he confessed that he did not mean to urge the absolute andfree dismissal of Louis; but only that the Duke should avail himselfno farther of his present condition than merely to establish a fair andequitable treaty between the countries, with such security on the King'spart as should make it difficult for him to break his faith, or disturbthe internal peace of Burgundy in the future. D'Hymbercourt, Crevecoeur,and others signified their reprobation of the violent measures proposedby Campobasso, and their opinion, that in the way of treaty morepermanent advantages could be obtained, and in a manner more honourablefor Burgundy, than by an action which would stain her with a breach offaith and hospitality.
The Duke listened to these arguments with his looks fixed on the ground,and his brow so knitted together as to bring his bushy eyebrows into onemass. But when Crevecoeur proceeded to say that he did not believeLouis either knew of, or was accessory to, the atrocious act of violencecommitted at Schonwaldt, Charles raised his head, and darting a fiercelook at his counsellor, exclaimed, "Have you too, Crevecoeur, heard thegold of France clink?--Methinks it rings in my council as merrily asever the bells of Saint Denis.--Dare any one say that Louis is not thefomenter of these feuds in Flanders?"
"My gracious lord," said Crevecoeur, "my hand has ever been moreconversant with steel than with gold, and so far am I from holdingthat Louis is free from the charge of having caused the disturbances inFlanders, that it is not long since, in the face of his whole Court, Icharged him with that breach of faith, and offered him defiance in yourname. But although his intrigues have been doubtless the original causeof these commotions, I am so far from believing that he authorized thedeath of the Archbishop, that I believe one of his emissaries publiclyprotested against it; and I could produce the man, were it your Grace'spleasure to see him."
"It is our pleasure," said the Duke. "Saint George, can you doubt thatwe desire to act justly? Even in the highest flight of our passion,we are known for an upright and a just judge. We will see Franceourself--we will ourself charge him with our wrongs, and ourself stateto him the reparation which we expect and demand. If he shall be foundguiltless of this murder, the atonement for other crimes may be moreeasy.--If he hath been guilty, who shall say that a life of penitencein some retired monastery were not a most deserved and a most mercifuldoom?--W
ho," he added, kindling as he spoke, "who shall dare to blame arevenge yet more direct and more speedy?--Let your witness attend.--Wewill to the Castle at the hour before noon. Some articles we will minutedown with which he shall comply, or woe on his head! Others shall dependupon the proof. Break up the council, and dismiss yourselves. I will butchange my dress, as this is scarce a fitting trim in which to wait on mymost gracious Sovereign."
With a deep and bitter emphasis on the last expression, the Duke aroseand strode out of the room.
"Louis's safety, and, what is worse, the honour of Burgundy, depend ona cast of the dice," said D'Hymbercourt to Crevecoeur and to De Comines."Haste thee to the Castle, De Comines, thou hast a better filedtongue than either Crevecoeur or I. Explain to Louis what storm isapproaching--he will best know how to pilot himself. I trust this LifeGuardsman will say nothing which can aggravate; for who knows what mayhave been the secret commission with which he was charged?"
"The young man," said Crevecoeur, "seems bold, yet prudent and wary farbeyond his years. In all which he said to me he was tender of the King'scharacter, as of that of the Prince whom he serves. I trust he willbe equally so in the Duke's presence. I must go seek him, and also theyoung Countess of Croye."
"The Countess--you told us you had left her at Saint Bridget's"
"Ay, but I was obliged," said the Count, "to send for her express, bythe Duke's orders; and she has been brought hither on a litter, as beingunable to travel otherwise. She was in a state of the deepest distress,both on account of the uncertainty of the fate of her kinswoman, theLady Hameline, and the gloom which overhangs her own, guilty as she hasbeen of a feudal delinquency, in withdrawing herself from the protectionof her liege lord, Duke Charles, who is not the person in the worldmost likely to view with indifference what trenches on his seignorialrights."
The information that the young Countess was in the hands of Charles,added fresh and more pointed thorns to Louis's reflections. He wasconscious that, by explaining the intrigues by which he had inducedthe Lady Hameline and her to resort to Peronne, she might supply thatevidence which he had removed by the execution of Zamet Maugrabin,and he knew well how much such proof of his having interfered with therights of the Duke of Burgundy would furnish both motive and pretext forCharles's availing himself to the uttermost of his present predicament.
Louis discoursed on these matters with great anxiety to the Sieur deComines, whose acute and political talents better suited the King'stemper than the blunt martial character of Crevecoeur, or the feudalhaughtiness of D'Hymbercourt.
"These iron handed soldiers, my good friend Comines," he said to hisfuture historian, "should never enter a King's cabinet, but be left withthe halberds and partisans in the antechamber. Their hands are indeedmade for our use, but the monarch who puts their heads to any betteroccupation than that of anvils for his enemies' swords and maces,ranks with the fool who presented his mistress with a dog leash for acarcanet. It is with such as thou, Philip, whose eyes are gifted withthe quick and keen sense that sees beyond the exterior surfaceof affairs, that Princes should share their council table, theircabinet--what do I say?--the most secret recesses of their soul."
De Comines, himself so keen a spirit, was naturally gratified with theapprobation of the most sagacious Prince in Europe, and he could not sofar disguise his internal satisfaction, but that Louis was aware he hadmade some impression on him.
"I would," continued he, "that I had such a servant, or rather that Iwere worthy to have such a one! I had not then been in this unfortunatesituation, which, nevertheless, I should hardly regret, could Ibut discover any means of securing the services of so experienced astatist."
De Comines said that all his faculties, such as they were, were at theservice of his Most Christian Majesty, saving always his allegiance tohis rightful lord, Duke Charles of Burgundy.
"And am I one who would seduce you from that allegiance?" said Louispathetically. "Alas! am I not now endangered by having reposed too muchconfidence in my vassal? and can the cause of feudal good faith bemore sacred with any than with me, whose safety depends on an appeal toit?--No, Philip de Comines--continue to serve Charles of Burgundy, andyou will best serve him, by bringing round a fair accommodation withLouis of France. In doing thus you will serve us both, and one, atleast, will be grateful. I am told your appointments in this Courthardly match those of the Grand Falconer and thus the services of thewisest counsellor in Europe are put on a level, or rather rankedbelow, those of a fellow who feeds and physics kites! France has widelands--her King has much gold. Allow me, my friend, to rectify thisscandalous inequality. The means are not distant.--Permit me to usethem."
The King produced a weighty bag of money; but De Comines, more delicatein his sentiments than most courtiers of that time, declined theproffer, declaring himself perfectly satisfied with the liberality ofhis native Prince, and assuring Louis that his desire to serve himcould not be increased by the acceptance of any such gratuity as he hadproposed.
"Singular man!" exclaimed the King; "let me embrace the only courtierof his time, at once capable and incorruptible. Wisdom is to be desiredmore than fine gold; and believe me, I trust in thy kindness, Philip, atthis pinch, more than I do in the purchased assistance of many who havereceived my gifts. I know you will not counsel your master to abuse suchan opportunity as fortune, and, to speak plain, De Comines, as my ownfolly, has afforded him."
"To abuse it, by no means," answered the historian, "but most certainlyto use it."
"How, and in what degree?" said Louis. "I am not ass enough to expectthat I shall escape without some ransom--but let it be a reasonableone--reason I am ever Willing to listen to at Paris or at Plessis,equally as at Peronne."
"Ah, but if it like your Majesty," replied De Comines, "Reason at Parisor Plessis was used to speak in so low and soft a tone of voice, thatshe could not always gain an audience of your Majesty--at Peronne sheborrows the speaking trumpet of Necessity, and her voice becomes lordlyand imperative."
"You are figurative," said Louis, unable to restrain an emotion ofpeevishness; "I am a dull, blunt man, Sir of Comines. I pray you leaveyour tropes, and come to plain ground. What does your Duke expect ofme?"
"I am the bearer of no propositions, my lord," said De Comines; "theDuke will soon explain his own pleasure; but some things occur to me asproposals, for which your Majesty ought to hold yourself prepared. As,for example, the final cession of these towns here upon the Somme."
"I expected so much," said Louis.
"That you should disown the Liegeois, and William de la Marck."
"As willingly as I disclaim Hell and Satan," said Louis.
"Ample security will be required, by hostages, or occupation offortresses, or otherwise, that France shall in future abstain fromstirring up rebellion among the Flemings."
"It is something new," answered the King, "that a vassal should demandpledges from his Sovereign; but let that pass too."
"A suitable and independent appanage for your illustrious brother, theally and friend of my master--Normandy or Champagne. The Duke loves yourfather's house, my Liege."
"So well," answered Louis, "that, mort Dieu! he's about to make them allkings.--Is your budget of hints yet emptied?"
"Not entirely," answered the counsellor: "it will certainly be requiredthat your Majesty will forbear molesting, as you have done of late, theDuke de Bretagne, and that you will no longer contest the right whichhe and other grand feudatories have, to strike money, to term themselvesdukes and princes by the grace of God--"
"In a word, to make so many kings of my vassals. Sir Philip, would youmake a fratricide of me?--You remember well my brother Charles--he wasno sooner Duke of Guyenne, than he died.--And what will be left to thedescendant and representative of Charlemagne, after giving away theserich provinces, save to be smeared with oil [a king, priest, or prophetwas consecrated by means of oil] at Rheims, and to eat their dinnerunder a high canopy?"
"We will diminish your Majesty's concern on that scor
e, by giving youa companion in that solitary exaltation," said Philip de Comines."The Duke of Burgundy, though he claims not at present the title of anindependent king, desires nevertheless to be freed in future from theabject marks of subjection required of him to the crown of France--itis his purpose to close his ducal coronet with an imperial arch, andsurmount it with a globe, in emblem that his dominions are independent."
"And how dares the Duke of Burgundy, the sworn vassal of France,"exclaimed Louis, starting up, and showing an unwonted degree of emotion,"how dares he propose such terms to his Sovereign, as, by every law ofEurope, should infer a forfeiture of his fief?"
"The doom of forfeiture it would in this case be difficult to enforce,"answered De Comines calmly. "Your Majesty is aware that the strictinterpretation of the feudal law is becoming obsolete even in theEmpire, and that superior and vassal endeavour to mend their situationin regard to each other, as they have power and opportunity.
"Your Majesty's interferences with the Duke's vassals in Flanders willprove an exculpation of my master's conduct, supposing him to insistthat, by enlarging his independence, France should in future be debarredfrom any pretext of doing so."
"Comines, Comines!" said Louis, arising again, and pacing the room in apensive manner, "this is a dreadful lesson on the text Vae victis! [woeto the vanquished!]--You cannot mean that the Duke will insist on allthese hard conditions?"
"At least I would have your Majesty be in a condition to discuss themall."
"Yet moderation, De Comines, moderation in success, is--no one knowsbetter than you--necessary to its ultimate advantage."
"So please your Majesty, the merit of moderation is, I have observed,most apt to be extolled by the losing party. The winner holds in moreesteem the prudence which calls on him not to leave an opportunityunimproved."
"Well, we will consider," replied the King; "but at least thou hastreached the extremity of your Duke's unreasonable exaction? there canremain nothing--or if there does, for so thy brow intimates--what isit--what indeed can it be--unless it be my crown? which these previousdemands, if granted, will deprive of all its lustre?"
"My lord," said De Comines, "what remains to be mentioned, is a thingpartly--indeed in a great measure within the Duke's own power, though hemeans to invite your Majesty's accession to it, for in truth it touchesyou nearly."
"Pasques Dieu!" exclaimed the King impatiently, "what is it?--Speak out,Sir Philip--am I to send him my daughter for a concubine, or what otherdishonour is he to put on me?"
"No dishonour, my Liege; but your Majesty's cousin, the illustrious Dukeof Orleans--"
"Ha!" exclaimed the King; but De Comines proceeded without heeding theinterruption.
"--having conferred his affections on the young Countess Isabelle deCroye, the Duke expects your Majesty will, on your part, as he on his,yield your assent to the marriage, and unite with him in endowing theright noble couple with such an appanage, as, joined to the Countess'sestates, may form a fit establishment for a Child of France."
"Never, never!" said the King, bursting out into that emotion which hehad of late suppressed with much difficulty, and striding about ina disordered haste, which formed the strongest contrast to the selfcommand which he usually exhibited.
"Never, never!--let them bring scissors, and shear my hair like thatof the parish fool, whom I have so richly resembled--let them bid themonastery or the grave yawn for me, let them bring red hot basins tosear my eyes--axe or aconite--whatever they will, but Orleans shallnot break his plighted faith to my daughter, or marry another while shelives!"
"Your Majesty," said De Comines, "ere you set your mind so keenlyagainst what is proposed, will consider your own want of power toprevent it. Every wise man, when he sees a rock giving way, withdrawsfrom the bootless attempt of preventing the fall."
"But a brave man," said Louis, "will at least find his grave beneathit. De Comines, consider the great loss, the utter destruction, such amarriage will bring upon my kingdom. Recollect, I have but one feebleboy, and this Orleans is the next heir--consider that the Church hathconsented to his union with Joan, which unites so happily the interestsof both branches of my family, think on all this, and think too thatthis union has been the favourite scheme of my whole life--that I haveschemed for it, fought for it, watched for it, prayed for it--and sinnedfor it. Philip de Comines, I will not forego it! Think man, think!--pityme in this extremity, thy quick brain can speedily find some substitutefor this sacrifice--some ram to be offered up instead of that projectwhich is dear to me as the Patriarch's only son was to him. [Isaac,whose father Abraham, in obedience to the command of God, was about tosacrifice him upon the altar when a ram appeared, which Abraham offeredin his stead.] Philip, pity me!--you at least should know that, to menof judgment and foresight, the destruction of the scheme on whichthey have long dwelt, and for which they have long toiled, is moreinexpressibly bitter than the transient grief of ordinary men, whosepursuits are but the gratification of some temporary passion--you, whoknow how to sympathize with the deeper, the more genuine distress ofbaffled prudence and disappointed sagacity--will you not feel for me?"
"My Lord and King," replied De Comines, "I do sympathize with yourdistress in so far as duty to my master--"
"Do not mention him!" said Louis, acting, or at least appearing to act,under an irresistible and headlong impulse, which withdrew the usualguard which he maintained over his language. "Charles of Burgundyis unworthy of your attachment. He who can insult and strike hiscouncillors--he who can distinguish the wisest and most faithful amongthem by the opprobrious name of Booted Head!"
The wisdom of Philip de Comines did not prevent his having a high senseof personal consequence; and he was so much struck with the wordswhich the King uttered, as it were, in the career of a passion whichoverleaped ceremony, that he could only reply by repetition of the words"Booted Head! It is impossible that my master the Duke could have sotermed the servant who has been at his side since he could mount apalfrey--and that too before a foreign monarch!--it is impossible!"
Louis instantly saw the impression he had made, and avoiding alikea tone of condolence, which might have seemed insulting, and one ofsympathy, which might have savoured of affectation; he said, withsimplicity, and at the same time with dignity, "My misfortunes makeme forget my courtesy, else I had not spoken to you of what it must beunpleasant for you to hear. But you have in reply taxed me with havinguttered impossibilities--this touches my honour; yet I must submit tothe charge, if I tell you not the circumstances which the Duke, laughinguntil his eyes ran over, assigned for the origin of that opprobriousname, which I will not offend your ears by repeating. Thus, then, itchanced. You, Sir Philip de Comines, were at a hunting match with theDuke of Burgundy, your master; and when he alighted after the chase, herequired your services in drawing off his boots. Reading in your looks,perhaps, some natural resentment of this disparaging treatment, heordered you to sit down in turn, and rendered you the same office hehad just received from you. But offended at your understanding himliterally, he no sooner plucked one of your boots off than he brutallybeat it about your head till the blood flowed, exclaiming against theinsolence of a subject who had the presumption to accept of such aservice at the hand of his Sovereign; and hence he, or his privilegedfool, Le Glorieux, is in the current habit of distinguishing you by theabsurd and ridiculous name of Tete botte, which makes one of the Duke'smost ordinary subjects of pleasantry."
[The story is told more bluntly, and less probably, in the Frenchmemoirs of the period, which affirm that Comines, out of a presumptioninconsistent with his excellent good sense, had asked of Charles ofBurgundy to draw off his boots, without having been treated with anyprevious familiarity to lead to such a freedom. I have endeavoured togive the anecdote a turn more consistent with the sense and prudence ofthe great author concerned. S.]
While Louis thus spoke, he had the double pleasure of galling to thequick the person whom he addressed--an exercise which it was in hisnature to enjoy, even where
he had not, as in the present case, theapology that he did so in pure retaliation--and that of observing thathe had at length been able to find a point in De Comines's characterwhich might lead him gradually from the interests of Burgundy to thoseof France. But although the deep resentment which the offended courtierentertained against his master induced him at a future period toexchange the service of Charles for that of Louis, yet, at the presentmoment, he was contented to throw out only some general hints of hisfriendly inclination towards France, which he well knew the King wouldunderstand how to interpret. And indeed it would be unjust to stigmatizethe memory of the excellent historian with the desertion of hismaster on this occasion, although he was certainly now possessed withsentiments much more favourable to Louis than when he entered theapartment.
He constrained himself to laugh at the anecdote which Louis haddetailed, and then added, "I did not think so trifling a frolic wouldhave dwelt on the mind of the Duke so long as to make it worth tellingagain. Some such passage there was of drawing off boots and the like, asyour Majesty knows that the Duke is fond of rude play; but it has beenmuch exaggerated in his recollection. Let it pass on."
"Ay, let it pass on," said the King; "it is indeed shame it should havedetained us a minute.--And now, Sir Philip, I hope you are French so faras to afford me your best counsel in these difficult affairs. You have,I am well aware, the clew to the labyrinth, if you would but impart it."
"Your Majesty may command my best advice and service," replied DeComines, "under reservation always of my duty to my own master."
This was nearly what the courtier had before stated; but he now repeatedit in a tone so different that, whereas Louis understood from the formerdeclaration that the reserved duty to Burgundy was the prime thing tobe considered, so he now saw clearly that the emphasis was reversed, andthat more weight was now given by the speaker to his promise of counselthan to a restriction which seemed interposed for the sake of form andconsistency. The King resumed his own seat, and compelled De Comines tosit by him, listening at the same time to that statesman as if thewords of an oracle sounded in his ears. De Comines spoke in that low andimpressive tone which implies at once great sincerity and some caution,and at the same time so slowly as if he was desirous that the Kingshould weigh and consider each individual word as having its ownpeculiar and determined meaning.
"The things," he said, "which I have suggested for your Majesty'sconsideration, harsh as they sound in your ear, are but substitutes forstill more violent proposals brought forward in the Duke's counsels, bysuch as are more hostile to your Majesty. And I need scarce remind yourMajesty, that the more direct and more violent suggestions find readiestacceptance with our master, who loves brief and dangerous measuresbetter than those that are safe, but at the same time circuitous."
"I remember," said the King. "I have seen him swim a river at therisk of drowning, though there was a bridge to be found for riding twohundred yards."
"True, Sire; and he that weighs not his life against the gratificationof a moment of impetuous passion will, on the same impulse, prefer thegratification of his will to the increase of his substantial power."
"Most true," replied the King; "a fool will ever grasp rather at theappearance than the reality of authority. And this I know to be true ofCharles of Burgundy. But, my dear friend De Comines, what do you inferfrom these premises?"
"Simply this, my lord," answered the Burgundian, "that as your Majestyhas seen a skilful angler control a large and heavy fish, and finallydraw him to land by a single hair, which fish had broke through a tackletenfold stronger, had the fisher presumed to strain the line on him,instead of giving him head enough for all his wild flourishes; even soyour Majesty, by gratifying the Duke in these particulars on which hehas pitched his ideas of honour, and the gratification of his revenge,may evade many of the other unpalatable propositions at which I havehinted; and which--including, I must state openly to your Majesty, someof those through which France would be most especially weakened--willslide out of his remembrance and attention, and, being referred tosubsequent conferences and future discussion, may be altogether eluded."
"I understand you, my good Sir Philip; but to the matter," said theKing. "To which of those happy propositions is your Duke so much weddedthat contradiction will make him unreasonable and untractable?"
"To any or to all of them, if it please your Majesty, on which youmay happen to contradict him. This is precisely what your Majesty mustavoid; and to take up my former parable, you must needs remain on thewatch, ready to give the Duke line enough whenever he shoots away underthe impulse of his rage. His fury, already considerably abated, willwaste itself if he be unopposed, and you will presently find him becomemore friendly and more tractable."
"Still," said the' King, musing, "there must be some particular demandswhich lie deeper at my cousin's heart than the other proposals. Were Ibut aware of these, Sir Philip."
"Your Majesty may make the lightest of his demands the most importantsimply by opposing it," said De Comines, "nevertheless, my lord, thusfar I can say, that every shadow of treaty will be broken off, if yourMajesty renounce not William de la Marck and the Liegeois."
"I have already said that I will disown them," said the King, "and wellthey deserve it at my hand; the villains have commenced their uproar ata moment that might have cost me my life."
"He that fires a train of powder," replied the historian, "must expecta speedy explosion of the mine.--But more than mere disavowal of theircause will be expected of your Majesty by Duke Charles, for know thathe will demand your Majesty assistance to put the insurrection down, andyour royal presence to witness the punishment which he destines for therebels."
"That may scarce consist with our honour, De Comines," said the King.
"To refuse it will scarcely consist with your Majesty's safety," repliedDe Comines. "Charles is determined to show the people of Flanders thatno hope, nay, no promise, of assistance from France will save them intheir mutinies from the wrath and vengeance of Burgundy."
"But, Sir Philip, I will speak plainly," answered the King. "Could webut procrastinate the matter, might not these rogues of Liege maketheir own part good against Duke Charles? The knaves are numerous andsteady.--Can they not hold out their town against him?"
"With the help of the thousand archers of France whom your Majestypromised them, they might have done something, but--"
"Whom I promised them?" said the King. "Alas! good Sir Philip! you muchwrong me in saying so."
"But without whom," continued De Comines, not heeding the interruption,"as your Majesty will not now likely find it convenient to supply them,what chance will the burghers have of making good their town, in whosewalls the large breaches made by Charles after the battle of St. Tronare still unrepaired; so that the lances of Hainault, Brabant, andBurgundy may advance to the attack twenty men in front?"
"The improvident idiots!" said the King. "If they have thus neglectedtheir own safety, they deserve not my protection. Pass on--I will makeno quarrel for their sake."
"The next point, I fear, will sit closer to your Majesty's heart," saidDe Comines.
"Ah!" replied the King, "you mean that infernal marriage! I will notconsent to the breach of the contract betwixt my daughter Joan and mycousin of Orleans--it would be wresting the sceptre of France fromme and my posterity; for that feeble boy, the Dauphin, is a blightedblossom, which will wither without fruit. This match between Joan andOrleans has been my thought by day, my dream by night.--I tell thee, SirPhilip, I cannot give it up!--Besides, it is inhuman to require me,with my own hand, to destroy at once my own scheme of policy, and thehappiness of a pair brought up for each other."
"Are they, then, so much attached?" said De Comines.
"One of them at least," said the King, "and the one for whom I am boundto be most anxious. But you smile, Sir Philip--you are no believer inthe force of love."
"Nay," said De Comines, "if it please you, Sire, I am so little aninfidel in that particular that I was a
bout to ask whether it wouldreconcile you in any degree to your acquiescing in the proposed marriagebetwixt the Duke of Orleans and Isabelle de Croye, were I to satisfy youthat the Countess's inclinations are so much fixed on another, that itis likely it will never be a match?"
King Louis sighed. "Alas," he said, "my good and dear friend, fromwhat sepulchre have you drawn such dead comfort? Her inclinations,indeed!--Why, to speak truth, supposing that Orleans detested mydaughter Joan, yet, but for this ill ravelled web of mischance, he mustneeds have married her; so you may conjecture how little chance thereis of this damsel's being able to refuse him under a similar compulsion,and he a Child of France besides.--Ah, no, Philip! little fear of herstanding obstinate against the suit of such a lover.--Varium et mutabile[(semper femina): woman is always inconstant and capricious], Philip."
"Your Majesty may, in the present instance, undervalue the obstinatecourage of this young lady. She comes of a race determinately wilful;and I have picked out of Crevecoeur that she has formed a romanticattachment to a young squire, who, to say truth, rendered her manyservices on the road."
"Ha!" said the King--"an Archer of my Guards, by name Quentin Durward?"
"The same, as I think," said De Comines; "he was made prisoner alongwith the Countess, travelling almost alone together."
"Now, our Lord and our Lady, and Monseigneur Saint Martin, andMonseigneur Saint Julian, be praised every one of them!" said the King,"and all laud and honour to the learned Galeotti; who read in the starsthat this youth's destiny was connected with mine! If the maiden be soattached to him as to make her refractory to the will of Burgundy, thisQuentin hath indeed been rarely useful to me."
"I believe, my lord," answered the Burgundian, "according toCrevecoeur's report, that there is some chance of her being sufficientlyobstinate; besides, doubtless, the noble Duke himself, notwithstandingwhat your Majesty was pleased to hint in way of supposition, will notwillingly renounce his fair cousin, to whom he has been long engaged."
"Umph!" answered the King--"but you have never seen my daughter Joan.--Ahowlet, man!--an absolute owl, whom I am ashamed of! But let him be onlya wise man, and marry her, I will give him leave to be mad par amoursfor the fairest lady in France.--And now, Philip, have you given me thefull map of your master's mind?"
"I have possessed you, Sire, of those particulars on which he is atpresent most disposed to insist. But your Majesty well knows thatthe Duke's disposition is like a sweeping torrent, which only passessmoothly forward when its waves encounter no opposition; and what may bepresented to chafe him info fury, it is impossible even to guess. Weremore distinct evidence of your Majesty's practices (pardon the phrase,when there is so little time for selection) with the Liegeoisand William de la Marck to occur unexpectedly, the issue might beterrible.--There are strange news from that country--they say La Marckhath married Hameline, the elder Countess of Croye."
"That old fool was so mad on marriage that she would have acceptedthe hand of Satan," said the King; "but that La Marck, beast as he is,should have married her, rather more surprises me."
"There is a report also," continued De Comines, "that an envoy, orherald, on La Marck's part, is approaching Peronne; this is like todrive the Duke frantic with rage--I trust that he has no letters or thelike to show on your Majesty's part?"
"Letters to a Wild Boar!" answered the King.--"No, no, Sir Philip, I wasno such fool as to cast pearls before swine.--What little intercourseI had with the brute animal was by message, in which I always employedsuch low bred slaves and vagabonds that their evidence would not bereceived in a trial for robbing a hen roost."
"I can then only further recommend," said De Comines, taking his leave,"that your Majesty should remain on your guard, be guided by events,and, above all, avoid using any language or argument with the Duke whichmay better become your dignity than your present condition."
"If my dignity," said the King, "grow troublesome to me--which it seldomdoth while there are deeper interests to think of--I have a specialremedy for that swelling of the heart.--It is but looking into a certainruinous closet, Sir Philip, and thinking of the death of Charles theSimple; and it cures me as effectually as the cold bath would cool afever.--And now, my friend and monitor, must thou be gone? Well, SirPhilip, the time must come when thou wilt tire reading lessons of statepolicy to the Bull of Burgundy, who is incapable of comprehending yourmost simple argument.--If Louis of Valois then lives, thou hast a friendin the Court of France. I tell thee, my Philip, it would be a blessingto my kingdom should I ever acquire thee; who, with a profound viewof subjects of state, hast also a conscience, capable of feeling anddiscerning between right and wrong. So help me our Lord and Lady, andMonseigneur Saint Martin, Oliver and Balue have hearts as hardened asthe nether millstone; and my life is embittered by remorse and penancesfor the crimes they make me commit. Thou, Sir Philip, possessed ofthe wisdom of present and past times, canst teach how to become greatwithout ceasing to be virtuous."
"A hard task, and which few have attained," said the historian; "butwhich is yet within the reach of princes who will strive for it.Meantime, Sire, be prepared, for the Duke will presently confer withyou."
Louis looked long after Philip when he left the apartment, and at lengthburst into a bitter laugh. "He spoke of fishing--I have sent him home, atrout properly tickled!--And he thinks himself virtuous because he tookno bribe, but contented himself with flattery and promises, and thepleasure of avenging an affront to his vanity!--Why, he is but so muchthe poorer for the refusal of the money--not a jot the more honest. Hemust be mine, though, for he hath the shrewdest head among them. Well,now for nobler game! I am to face this leviathan Charles, who willpresently swim hitherward, cleaving the deep before him. I must, like atrembling sailor, throw a tub overboard to amuse him. But I may one dayfind the chance of driving a harpoon into his entrails!"
[If a ship is threatened by a school of whales, a tub is thrown into thesea to divert their attention. Hence to mislead an enemy, or to create adiversion in order to avoid a danger.]
[Scott says that during this interesting scene Comines first realizedthe great powers of Louis, and entertained from this time a partialityto France which allured him to Louis's court in 1472. After the death ofLouis he fell under the suspicion of that sovereign's daughter and wasimprisoned in one of the cages he has so feelingly described. He wassubjected to trial and exiled from court, but was afterwards employed byCharles VIII in one or two important missions. He died at his Castleof Argenton in 1509, and was regretted as one of the most profoundstatesmen, and the best historian of his age.]