For our wine, you know well it is the subject of an old emulation betwixt France and Burgundy, which we will presently reconcile; for I will drink to you in Burgundy, and you, Sir Count, shall pledge me in Champagne .-- Here, Oliver, let me have a cup of Vin d'Auxerre;" and he hummed gaily a song then well known, "Auxerre est le boisson des Rois." [Auxerre wine is the beverage of kings] "Here, Sir Count, I drink to the health of the noble Duke of Burgundy, our kind and loving cousin .-- Oliver, replenish yon golden cup with Vin de Rheims, and give it to the Count on your knee--he represents our loving brother .-- My Lord Cardinal, we will ourself fill your cup." "You have already, Sire, even to overflowing," said the Cardinal, with the lowly mien of a favourite towards an indulgent master.
"Because we know that your Eminence can carry it with a steady hand," said Louis.

"But which side do you espouse in the great controversy, Sillery or Auxerre--France or Burgundy ?" "I will stand neutral, Sire," said the Cardinal, "and replenish my cup with Auvernat." "A neutral has a perilous part to sustain," said the King; but as he observed the Cardinal colour somewhat, he glided from the subject and added, "But you prefer the Auvernat, because it is so noble a wine it endures not water .-- You, Sir Count, hesitate to empty your cup.

I trust you have found no national bitterness at the bottom." "I would, Sire," said the Count de Crevecoeur, "that all national quarrels could be as pleasantly ended as the rivalry betwixt our vineyards." "With time, Sir Count," answered the King, "with time--such time as you have taken to your draught of Champagne .-- And now that it is finished, favour me by putting the goblet in your bosom, and keeping it as a pledge of our regard.

It is not to every one that we would part with it.
It belonged of yore to that terror of France, Henry V of England, and was taken when Rouen was reduced, and those islanders expelled from Normandy by the joint arms of France and Burgundy.

It cannot be better bestowed than on a noble and valiant Burgundian, who well knows that on the union of these two nations depends the continuance of the freedom of the continent from the English yoke." The Count made a suitable answer, and Louis gave unrestrained way to the satirical gaiety of disposition which sometimes enlivened the darker shades of his character.