 Liege, at
the head of those mutineers, who afterwards cruelly murdered their temporal
Prince and spiritual Father? And what harangue was it which thou didst make
after that murder was committed, in which you took upon you, as agent for Louis,
to assume authority among the villains who had just perpetrated so great a
crime?«
    »My lord,« said Quentin, »there are many who could testify, that I assumed
not the character of an envoy of France in the town of Liege, but had it fixed
upon me by the obstinate clamours of the people themselves, who refused to give
credit to any disclamation which I could make. This I told to those in the
service of the Bishop when I had made my escape from the city, and recommended
their attention to the security of the Castle, which might have prevented the
calamity and horror of the succeeding night. It is, no doubt, true, that I did,
in the extremity of danger, avail myself of the influence which my imputed
character gave me, to save the Countess Isabelle, to protect my own life, and,
so far as I could, to rein in the humour for slaughter, which had already broke
out in so dreadful an instance. I repeat, and will maintain it with my body,
that I had no commission of any kind from the King of France, respecting the
people of Liege, far less instructions to instigate them to mutiny; and that,
finally, when I did avail myself of that imputed character, it was as if I had
snatched up a shield to protect myself in a moment of emergency, and used it, as
I should surely have done, for the defence of myself and others, without
inquiring whether I had a right to the heraldic emblazonments which it
displayed.«
    »And therein, my young companion and prisoner,« said Crèvecoeur, unable any
longer to remain silent, »acted with equal spirit and good sense; and his doing
so cannot justly be imputed as blame to King Louis.«
    There was a murmur of assent among the surrounding nobility, which sounded
joyfully in the ears of King Louis, whilst it gave no little offence to Charles.
He rolled his eyes angrily around, and the sentiments, so generally expressed by
so many of his highest vassals and wisest councillors, would not perhaps have
prevented his giving way to his violent and despotic temper, had not Des
Comines, who foresaw the danger, prevented it, by suddenly announcing a herald
from the city of Liege.
    »A herald from weavers and nailers!« exclaimed the Duke - »
