"As I speak French," said this emissary, "the
Duke of Orleans is more familiar with me than with any other
of the household; and I can bear witness he never said
anything against Duke Philip." (1) It will be remembered
that this person, with whom he was so anxious to stand well,
was no other than his hereditary enemy, the son of his
father's murderer. But the honest fellow bore no malice,
indeed not he. He began exchanging ballades with Philip,
whom he apostrophises as his companion, his cousin, and his
brother. He assures him that, soul and body, he is
altogether Burgundian; and protests that he has given his
heart in pledge to him. Regarded as the history of a
vendetta, it must be owned that Charles's life has points of
some originality. And yet there is an engaging frankness
about these ballades which disarms criticism. (2) You see
Charles throwing himself headforemost into the trap; you hear
Burgundy, in his answers begin to inspire him with his own
prejudices, and draw melancholy pictures of the misgovernment
of France. But Charles's own spirits are so high and so
amiable, and he is so thoroughly convinced his cousin is a
fine fellow, that one's scruples are carried away in the
torrent of his happiness and gratitude. And his would be a
sordid spirit who would not clap hands at the consummation
(Nov.
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