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Tristan chuckled. "The Grand Constable bears you a grudge since you chose to turn a kind eye on the girl of Vaucelles." "She was a wise virgin to dislike Thibaut," mused the king. "Was she a foolish virgin to mistrust your majesty?" questioned Tristan. Louis shrugged his shoulders. "She is a proud piece, gossip. When I told her that she took my fancy she flamed into a red rage that chastened me.
The sham king leaped to his feet, still laughing, flung off the black cap with its little row of leaden saints and the rusty black mantle which mimicked the king's habit, and stood delighted and defiant before Thibaut, the François Villon who thus a second time had crossed his path. "Well, friend, what has the wizard told you?" Louis asked blandly.
Last night he wounded Thibaut d'Aussigny " Villon smiled a contented smile. "Thereby making room for me," he suggested. Katherine went on unheeding: "The penalty is death. But Thibaut was a traitor sold to Burgundy." "Did this Villon fight him for his treason?" "No. He fought for the sake of a woman. He risked his life with a light heart because a woman asked him." "How do you know all this?"
THIBAUT. Thy sisters, Joan, will soon be happy brides; I see them gladly; they rejoice my age; But thou, my youngest, giv'st me grief and pain. RAIMOND. What is the matter? Why upbraid thy child?
She is more highly gifted far than they, Yet, like a servant maiden, it is she Who silently performs the humblest tasks. Beneath her guiding hands prosperity Attendeth still thy harvest and thy flocks; And around all she does there ceaseless flows A blessing, rare and unaccountable. THIBAUT. Ah truly! Unaccountable indeed! Sad horror at this blessing seizes me!
But if thy fatherland is there above, If in this virgin form thou dost conceal The radiant glory of a heavenly nature, From our deluded sense remove the veil, And let us see thee in thy form of light As thou art seen in heaven, that in the dust We may bow down before thee. God! my father! THIBAUT comes forth from the crowd, and stands opposite to her. Many voices exclaim, Her father!
Her mouth hardened as she thought of the man she hated and of her own failure to thrust him from her path, but it softened again on the next words of the king. "Thibaut is no longer in office. Try your luck with his successor." She leaned forward beseechingly. "His name, sire?" Louis looked at her thoughtfully. "He is the Count of Montcorbier," he said.
Villon, craning over the balustrade, saw him and touched the girl on the arm to call her attention to the new-comer. "Is that he?" he whispered. The girl shook her head. "No, no. Thibaut is a big man. Yet that figure seems familiar." The stranger came to the table and stooped between Louis and Tristan. Louis looked up and grinned recognition of his barber, Olivier le Dain.
Mine is the helmet it belongs to me! THIBAUT. What whim is this? RAIMOND. Nay, let her have her way! This warlike ornament becomes her well, For in her bosom beats a manly heart. Remember how she once subdued the wolf, The savage monster which destroyed our herds, And filled the neighb'ring shepherds with dismay.
THIBAUT. Answer, by Him whose thunders roll above! Give me the lie! Proclaim thine innocence; Say that the enemy hath not thy heart! BURGUNDY. God guard and save us! What appalling signs! Come, come, my king! Forsake this fearful place! I ask thee in God's name. Art thou thus silent From consciousness of innocence or guilt?
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