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Updated: June 7, 2025
So! here was a small fact suddenly grown big, since, despite all evidence to the contrary, it brought me back to my old belief that this fair, laughing Yolanda was none other than the great Princess of Burgundy. I was sure that she had gained all her information concerning Max from my letters to Hymbercourt. It racks a man's brain to play shuttlecock with it in that fashion.
When we entered we saw the duchess and the princess sitting upon the divan. The duke was in his great oak chair, and Hymbercourt and two other gentlemen were standing near by. I made obeisance to Charles on bended knee. He rose to receive Max, and, after a slight hesitation, offered his hand, saying: "You are welcome, my Lord Count."
The duke takes it for granted that Styria will aid the Swiss, or at least will sympathize with them in this brewing war, and I should fear for your safety were he to discover you." "I understand the duke recently arrived in Peronne?" I asked. "Yes," answered Hymbercourt, "we all came yesterday morning." "How is the fair princess? Did she come with you?" I asked, fearing to hear his reply.
I'll put none of my gold in Hastings's sleeve. I'll pension Shore's wife, and Edward will not trouble himself about his sister. He prefers other men's sisters. Do not fear, Hymbercourt; the time has come to meet Louis' craft with craft." "And Your Grace's unhappy daughter is to be the shuttlecock, my lord?" suggested Hymbercourt. "She will serve her purpose in the weal of Burgundy, as I do.
Hymbercourt had been standing in the back part of the room, paying little attention to the proceedings, but the mention of Calli's name in connection with the Swiss spies quickly roused him, and he hurriedly elbowed his way to the ducal throne. A page was handing Charles a quill and an ink-well when Hymbercourt spoke:
True to his promise, Hymbercourt went to Castleman's that evening, but he had learned nothing and had thought out no plan of action. Two days passed and there was another consultation. Still the mystery was as far from solution as on the day of its birth. Yolanda was in tribulation, and declared that she would take the matter into her own hands.
"This is a wondrous happening, my lord," said the duke. "If it happened, Your Grace," returned Hymbercourt, "it certainly was marvellous." "Don't you think it did happen? Do not you believe that this bolt came from the hand that was seen by these worthy friars?" asked the duke. "The shaft surely did not come from a just God, my lord," returned Hymbercourt.
Had he suspected that Hymbercourt was speaking of Yolanda's marriage, there surely would have been a demonstration. "No," answered Hymbercourt, "the letter has not been sent, but the duke will despatch it at once. It will probably be the chief business of this morning's audience. The duke wants the marriage celebrated before he leaves for Switzerland. That will be within three or four weeks.
He almost doubled the territory of France, and he lost fewer men in battle than any enterprising monarch of whom I know. Within forty-eight hours of receiving the safe conduct, King Louis was sitting beside Mary on the dais of the ducal throne in the great hall. She was heavily veiled, being in mourning for her father. At her left stood Hymbercourt, Hugonet, Max, and myself.
Castleman, Hymbercourt, and Max passed out through the great doors, and I was about to follow them when I was startled by the voice I had heard in the night: "Little Max, Little Max," came softly from the ladies' gallery. I paused to hear more, but all was silent in the great hall. The words could have come from no other lips than Yolanda's Mary's.
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