Ergo, theirs is the malice and the excuse is to the princely invalid.  In his solitude even valets used their power, as is not wonderful.

“He went late to mass and often out of hours.  Sometimes he had it celebrated at two o’clock or even three, and in so doing he exceeded all Christian observance.  For this there is no excuse that I dare allege.  I leave it to the judgment of God.  He had, indeed, obtained dispensation from the pope for causes which he explained, and he only is responsible.  God alone can judge about him.

“It would be a dreadful shame if his soul suffered for this neglect in lifetime.  Earth would not suffice to deplore, nor the nature of man to lament the perdition of such a soul and of such a prince.  Hell is not worthy of him nor good enough to lodge him. 0 God, who rescued Trajan from Hades for a single virtuous act, do not suffer this man to descend therein!”

Having thus tried his best to give a vivid description of the father’s personality, while acknowledging that he is not sure of the fate of his soul, the chronicler decides that it would be an excellent moment to paint the son, too, for all time, in view of his mortality.  “I will use the past tense so that my words may be good for always.”

Duke Charles was shorter and stouter than Duke Philip, but well formed, strong in arm and thigh.  His shoulders were rather thick-set and a trifle stooping, but his body was well adapted to activity.  The contour of his face was rounder than that of his father, his complexion brunette.  His eyes were black and laughing, angelically clear.  When he was sunk in thought it seemed as though his father looked out of them.  Like his father’s mouth was his, full and red.  His nose was pronounced, his beard brown, and his hair black.  His forehead was fine, his neck white and well set, though always bent as he walked.  He certainly was not as straight as Philip, but nevertheless he was a fine prince with a fair outer man.

When he began to speak he often found difficulty in expressing himself, but once started his speech became fluent, even eloquent.  His voice was fine and clear, but he could not sing, although he had studied the technique and was fond of music.  In conversation he was more logical than his father, but very tenacious of his own opinion and vehement in its expression, although, at the bottom, he was just to all men.

In council he was keen, subtle, and ready.  He listened to others’ arguments judicially and gave them due weight before his own concluded the discussion.  He was attentive to his own business to a fault, for he was rather more industrious than became a prince.  Economical of his own time, he demanded conscience of his subordinates and worked them very hard.  He was fond of his servants and fairly affable, though occasionally sharp in his words.  His memory was long and his anger dangerous.  As a rule, good sense swayed him, but being naturally impetuous there was often a struggle between impulse and reason.