will tell thee the same truths, harsh though they grate in a warrior's ear." The earl bowed his haughty head, and answered shortly, but with a touching grace, "Be it ever thine, noble king, to rule as it likes thee, and mine to defend with my blood even what I approve not with my brain! But if thou doubtest the wisdom of this alliance, it is not too late yet.

Let me dismiss my following, and cross not the seas.

Unless thy heart is with the marriage, the ties I would form are threads and cobwebs." "Nay," returned Edward, irresolutely: "in these great state matters thy wit is elder than mine; but men do say the Count of Charolois is a mighty lord; and the alliance with Burgundy will be more profitable to staple and mart." "Then, in God's name, so conclude it!" said the earl, hastily, but with so dark a fire in his eyes that Edward, who was observing him, changed countenance; "only ask me not, my liege, to advance such a marriage.

The Count of Charolois knows me as his foe--shame were mine did I shun to say where I love, where I hate.

That proud dullard once slighted me when we met at his father's court, and the wish next to my heart is to pay back my affront with my battle-axe.