"But God forbid," he said, "that aught less than necessity should make us, the Most Christian' King, give cause to the effusion of Christian blood, if anything short of dishonour may avert such a calamity.

We tender our subjects' safety dearer than the ruffle which our own dignity may receive from the rude breath of a malapert ambassador, who hath perhaps exceeded the errand with which he was charged .-- Admit the Envoy of Burgundy to our presence." "Beati pacifici, [blessed are the peace makers]" said the Cardinal Balue.
"True; and your Eminence knoweth that they who humble themselves shall be exalted," added the King.
The Cardinal spoke an Amen, to which few assented, for even the pale cheek of Orleans kindled with shame, and Balafre suppressed his feelings so little, as to let the butt end of his partisan fall heavily on the floor--a movement of impatience for which he underwent a bitter reproof from the Cardinal, with a lecture on the mode of handling his arms when in presence of the Sovereign.

The King himself seemed unusually embarrassed at the silence around him.
"You are pensive, Dunois," he said.

"You disapprove of our giving way to this hot headed Envoy." "By no means,"' said Dunois; "I meddle not with matters beyond my sphere.

I was thinking of asking a boon of your Majesty." "A boon, Dunois--what is it?
You are an unfrequent suitor, and may count on our favour." "I would, then, your Majesty would send me to Evreux to regulate the clergy," said Dunois, with military frankness.
"That were indeed beyond thy sphere," replied the King, smiling.
"I might order priests as well," replied the Count, "as my Lord Bishop of Evreux, or my Lord Cardinal, if he likes the title better, can exercise the soldiers of your Majesty's guard." The King smiled again, and more mysteriously, while he whispered Dunois, "The time may come when you and I will regulate the priests together .-- But this is for the present a good conceited animal of a Bishop.