beg as a boon, apparent forgetfulness, at least of all that has passed at this conference. At the end of this week's term, my plans will be arranged, and each will then be free to follow all his own. In the mean time, this frantic expedition from England gives me little concern. My faithful friends in Zealand and Holland will soon check the invasion, and my troops from Flanders under John Uterkin-"

"Are already opposed to the enemy,” said Vrank, who knew well how to interpose a welltimed interruption even to his sovereign.

"Good!" cried Philip, his blue eyes sparkling with joy at the ready intelligence, "and we shall soon ourselves confront the danger!-And now let us result to your Friesland mission, Sir Francon."

"All promises well, may it please your highness. Radbolt of Ils, and Haron of Bolswart, the leading chiefs, have sworn fidelity and prompt

his guard !-you may retire, Sir Francon-we will give you private audience to-morrow, and hear minute details."

No sooner had Vrank obeyed this intimation, than Philip once more enjoined secrecy, and forbade all outward evidence of dissension between his brothers-in-law; and the princes soon separated to follow up the various amusements traced out for the day, with the smoothest looks, and the least agitated thoughts they could command.

Vrank took immediate measures for repose and refreshment after his rapid journey, and did not make his public appearance until the night had fairly set in. Then, more from duty than from actual inclination-for recollection of the Zeven-volden had produced a magic change in the temperament which formerly urged him into the vortex of pleasure he joined the dancers in the ball-room. A certain feeling of vanity also prompted him to shew how little he valued the fatigues of three days and nights'

travel. And he never excited more admiration than he did on this occasion, by the union of grace, elegance, and gallantry, with an air of solid sense that was pre-eminently his own.

CHAPTER VII.

THE combat for life and death between Jacotin Plouvier and Nicholas Mavot was the subject of universal curiosity, and a species of wild interest, to almost every individual in the town and castle of Hesdin. It was fixed for the hour of noon on the day following the scenes we have just described. Long before that hour the lists had been prepared in the market place of the town, fronting the site where the Hotel de Ville was subsequently erected, by Sebastian Oya, architect to the

Emperor Charles V. The place where that edifice now stands was on this occasion occupied by a covered wooden pavilion hastily erected for the accommodation of Duke Philip and the princes his guests, with some others adjoining, for the courtiers and officers of the household. These "stands," as we familiarly call such erections, were hung with cloth of various colours, filled up with as much care as could be given on such short preparation. But neither the time nor the occasion allowed or warranted any approach to such magnificence of decoration as was displayed in honour of the jousts and tournaments, on which the scene about to be enacted was à farce, and to modern notions a disgusting parody. But the immense crowds, collected from the towns and villages for leagues around, who had heard of the affair during the night, now filled the wide area of the market-place with a lively exhibition of human anxiety, in a matter that involved excitements a thousand times greater than the most elegant