70 The Rare Romance ef

CHAPTER XIV.

HOW IS-GRIM THE WOLF ONCE MORE MADE PLAINT OF
THE FOX; AND OF REY-NARD’S PLEA.

THE Fox heard with joy those words of the King; and
though he knew he could not put his vow in force, yet
swore he would search the world through, till he had found
the gems.

The King at once said he should grant the Fox all due
aid, so soon as he could learn where the gems were. Rey-
nard gave meet thanks to his liege: he thought by his
false tales and bland speech he had so bound the King to
him with a leash of love, that none durst speak a word,
much less bring a charge, to his hurt. But Is-grim stood
gruff and mute. At length his thoughts grew too strong
for him; so he had to give them vent.

“Oh, my lord,” said he, ‘how can you thus put faith in
the words of one who takes pride in his guile? Let not
his glib tongue and low art lead you to think he means
what he says. He has shed blood more times than I can
count; is false to the Throne, and scoffs in your face. I
am glad he is now here that I may show up his guilt in so
strong a light that all the lies he can hatch will serve him
not a jot. First, let me tell you, my lord, in how vile a
way he dealt with Dame Hers-win a short time since.
One day, at the bleak time of the year, when both were by
a lake, he told my wife he would teach her a new and sure
way to catch fish with her tail. Well, my poor wife did
not see the joke; so she went through the deep mire till
she came to where he told her: then she held down her