Then he turned to
Max and offered him the hilt of his dagger: "If you would purchase my
death at the cost of your life, here is my dagger, and you may easily
make the barter. I am unarmed. One blow from that great arm of yours
will end all prospects of war with your Switzerland."
Max hesitatingly took the dagger and looked with a puzzled expression
from it to the duke's face. Campo-Basso and his Italian friends moved
toward their lord as if to protect him, but Charles waved them back with
a protesting palm.
"Switzerland is not my native land, Your Grace, nor do I seek your life.
Take your dagger," said Max.
"I offer you better terms," said Charles. "If you wish to kill me, I now
give you safe conduct beyond the borders of Burgundy."
"My lord, you are mistaken," said Max, impatiently, tossing the dagger
to the floor and stepping back from the duke. A soft ripple of laughter
was heard in the ladies' gallery.
"No, it is not I that am mistaken," said Charles. "It is Campo-Basso and
his friends. Count Calli, prepare to give the combat to this knight,
whoever he may be, and God have mercy on your soul, for the day of your
death is at hand."
Another ripple of soft laughter came from the ladies' gallery.
"I cannot fight him," wailed Calli. "I am suffering from a broken arm.
My horse fell with me three weeks ago, as Your Grace well knows."
"When your arm mends, you must fight and prove your cause, or by the
soul of God, you hang! We'll make a fete of this combat, and another of
your funeral.
Pages:
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195