Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-29

court. The city and fortress did not properly,
of right and parchment holding, appertain to
him. But he had occupied it during the
recent troubles with the English, and his
loving cousin and normal suzerain, Charles
VII of France, had not yet been strong
enough to make him render it up again.
The duke sat in the central tower of the
fortress of Black Anglers, that which looks
between the high thanking turrets of that
mighty enceinte Of walls. He wriggled dis
contentedly in his chair and grumbled under
his breath.
At his shoulder, tall, gaunt, angular, with
lantern jaws and a mouth like a wolf trap,
d~eep-set eyes that famed under the bushy
eyebrows, stood Pierre de lHopital, the
true master of Brittany.
81 tell you, l will go to the tennis courts
the three Scots must wait audience till
tomorrow. What errand can they have with
me-some varlets whom Charles will not
pay now that his job is done? They come
to take service, doubtless. A beggearly lot
are all such varlets, but brave, yes, excellent
soldiers are the Scots, so long as they are
well fed, that is"
NAY, my lord duke said Pierre de
rHopital, standing up tall and somber, his
long black gown accentuating the peculari-
ties of his figure, at were almost necessary
to see these men now and hear what they
have to say. !, myself. have seen them and
judge 1t TO be So"
John Of Brittany threw down the little
scepter, fashioned in imitation Of that made
for the king OF France, with which he had
been toying. The action was that of a
pettish child.
oh" he cried, III you have decided,
there remains nothing for me but to obey?'
Il thank your excellency for your
gracious readiness to grant the men an
interview" said Pierre de lHopital, having
regard to the essential matter and disregard
ing the unessential manner.
Duke John sat glooming and kicking his
feet to and fro on the raised dais, while
behind his chair, impassive as the grand
inquisitor himself, Pierre de THopital. presi-
dent of Brittany, raised a hand to an I'M
seen servitor and in q few moments the three
Scots were ushered into the ducal presence.
The Lord James in virtue OF his quality
stood a little in front, not by his W VIII
or desire. but because Sholto and his father
had so placed themselves that the youns
noble should have his own rightful pre-
cedence. For as to these things all Scots
are careful by nature.
Duke John continued to keep his eyes
averted from the men who sought his pres
ence. He teased a little lop-eared spaniel
and nipped its ear TIL it yelped. But the
president of Brittany never took his eyes Off
the strangers. examining them with a bold,
keen. remorseless glance, in which, however,
there was neither evil nor the tolerance OF
il. Not a man to make himself greatly be-
loved, this Pierre de iHopital.
And little he cared whether or no. In
Brittany men did his will. That was enough.
James Douglas was nettled at the ~inatten-
ton of the duke, He was Of that large and
sanguine nature which is at once easily
touched by any discourtesy and very quick
to resent it.
MY lord OF Brittany he began in a
loud, clear voice, and in his usual immacu-
late French. Il claim your attention for a
little. l come to lay before you that which
touches your kin and kingdom"
Duke John continued to play with the lap
dog and in addition he formed his mouth to
whistle. But he never whistled.
His grace of Brittany will now give you
his undivided attention" said the president
from behind. without moving a muscle either
of his body or of his face, save those neces-
| sary to propel the words from his vocal
chords.
The brow OF Duke John flushed with
anger. but he did not disobey. He raised
his head and gazed straight at the three
men, fixing his eyes. however. with a studied