106 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

aifair it would be for me to offend any of my nobles
in the position in which I now am, and it therefore
becomes you to exercise the patience becoming a
soldier of the Cross.’

And now the Count of Artois started up, his face
flushed and his limbs trembling with rage:

‘King,’ exclaimed he, in accents of menace, *‘ what
mean you by the words you have spoken? Do you
defend this Englishman and take part with him
against Frenchmen, who are of your own country
and kindred ?’

The countenance of Louis expressed more annoy-
ance than he was in the habit of exhibiting.

‘Now, Longsword,’ said he, turning with an im-
ploring look to the earl, ‘you see the position of
affairs, and how easily a quarrel might arise; and
God forbid it should occur in an army of Christians.
At such a crisis it is necessary to endure much for

the sake of Christendom.’

Sire,’ exclaimed Longsword, giving way to his
indignation, ‘if this is the only answer you can give
to my complaint, I advise you to call yourself no
longer a king; since you have no longer the privilege
of being obeyed, or of administering justice, or
punishing offenders.’ And rising with a dignity
which awed most of those present, he left the
council.

‘Frenchmen,’ said Louis, reproachfully, ‘why do
you persecute this man? What madness excites you?’

‘I do it,’ cried the Count of Artois, ‘because I
dislike the tailed English, and because I think the.
army of Crusaders would be well purged of them,’