heart the fire that
consumes fear."

"Since you do not deem the boldness of this gentleman altogether worthy
of praise," said Hircan, "you doubtless know of some one else more
deserving of commendation."

"Nay," said Oisille, "the gentleman in the story deserves praise, but I
do know of one who is more worthy of being admired."

"I pray you, madam," said Geburon, "if that be so, take my place and
tell us the tale."

"If," began Oisille, "a man who showed such boldness against the
Milanese to save his own life and his mistress's honour is to be
esteemed so very brave, what shall be said of one who, without any need
for it, and from pure and simple valour, performed the deed of which I
will now tell you?"

[Illustration: 193.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 195a.jpg The King showing his Sword]

[The King showing his Sword]

[Illustration: 195.jpg Page Image]

_TALE XVII_.

_King Francis, being urged to banish Count William, who was said to have
received money to bring about his death, did not suffer it to appear
that he had any inkling of the scheme, but played the Count so shrewd a
trick that he himself took leave of the King and went into banishment_.
(1)

To the town of Dijon, in the Duchy of Burgundy, there came a German
Count to take service with King Francis. He was named William, (2) and
was of the House of Saxony, which is so closely allied with that of
Savoy that formerly they were but one. This Count, who was held for as
handsome and valiant a gentleman as Germany ever knew, was right well
received by the King, who not only took him into his service, but kept
him close to himself as a groom of the chamber.

1 The incidents of this story are historical. Francis I. is
known to have sojourned at Dijon in June and July 1521.--L.

2 This is William, eldest son of Wolfgang von Furstemberg,
chamberlain to Maximilian I., and privy counsellor to Philip
of Austria.--B. J. Various particulars concerning him are
given in the Appendix to this volume, E.

Now the Lord de la Tremoille, (3) Governor of Burgundy, an old knight
and a loyal servant to the King, was ever jealous and anxious for his
master's safety, and was wont to have spies at all points to learn what
the King's enemies were doing; and so prudently did he contrive matters,
that but few things were hidden from him. Among his informations there
came to him one day a letter from a friend telling him that Count
W