Those who heard the duke’s words knew that he was committing a costly error, but no one dared to suggest as much.  One might, with equal success, have flung soft words at a mad bull.  Truly that “t”—­but I will speak of it no more, though I have a thrill of joy and mirth even now when I think of it.

After many explosions, the duke’s pent-up wrath found vent, and began to subside.  Espying Max and me he called us to the throne.

“Have you concluded to join us in our little holiday excursion against these mountain swine?” asked His Grace, addressing us.

“We have, my lord.  We shall be proud to serve under the banner of so brave a prince,” I answered.

“‘We have’ would have been sufficient, Sir Karl,” answered the duke, still surly from the dregs of his wrath.  “We hear so many soft words from France that we despise them in the mouths of honest men.”

The duke then turned to his seneschal, De Vergy, and spoke in tones that were heard all over the room:—­

“My lord, Maximilian, Count of Hapsburg, and Sir Karl de Pitti have consented to join our banners.  Enroll them in places of honor, my Lord Seneschal.  See that they are supplied with horses, accoutrements, and tents for themselves and their squires, and direct my Lord Treasurer to pay to them upon demand a sum of money of which he shall be duly notified.”

When the duke stopped speaking, a murmur of approval ran through the audience—­though the Italians had no part in it.  The murmur grew clamorous and soon a mighty shout filled the vaulted roof:—­

“Long life to the noble Count of Hapsburg!  Burgundy and Styria forever!”

To me, the words seemed delightfully prophetic.  Soon afterward the audience was dismissed, and Max and I had the great honor of being asked to join the duke’s council.  A council to the Duke of Burgundy was indeed a veritable fifth wheel.  He made his own plans and, right or wrong, clung to them.  He would, on rare occasions, listen to Hymbercourt,—­a man of few words, who gave advice as if he were lending a crown,—­but the suggestions of others antagonized him.

The question before the council this morning was:  Should the duke’s army carry provisions, or should it take them from the countries through which it was to pass?  Charles favored the latter course, and it was agreed upon.  The people of non-belligerent states should be paid for the provisions that were taken; that is, theoretically they should be paid.  The Swiss should furnish provision, gratis, and that doubtless would be terribly practical.

On each of the three evenings intervening between the day of this council and the departure of the army, we saw Yolanda at Castleman’s.  She was always waiting when we arrived.  She had changed in many respects, but especially in her attitude regarding Max.  She was kind and gentle, but shy.  Having dropped her familiar manner, she did not go near him, but sat at a distance, holding Twonette’s hand, and silently but constantly watching him, as if she were awaiting something.  Her eyes, at times, seemed to be half-indignant interrogation points.  At other times I could see in them doubt, waiting, and hope—­hope almost tired with yearning.