"Were I to bestow her upon any one of our mutinous and ill ruled nobles, would it not be rendering him independent?
and hath it not been my policy for years to prevent them from becoming so ?--Dunois indeed--him, and him only, I might perchance trust .-- He would fight for the crown of France, whatever were his condition.

But honours and wealth change men's natures .-- Even Dunois I will not trust." "Your Majesty may find others," said Oliver, in his smoothest manner, and in a tone more insinuating than that which he usually employed in conversing with the King, who permitted him considerable freedom; "men dependent entirely on your own grace and favour, and who could no more exist without your countenance than without sun or air--men rather of head than of action--men who" "Men who resemble thyself, ha!" said King Louis.

"No, Oliver, by my faith that arrow was too rashly shot!--What! because I indulge thee with my confidence, and let thee, in reward, poll my lieges a little now and then, dost thou think it makes thee fit to be the husband of that beautiful vision, and a Count of the highest class to boot ?--thee--thee, I say, low born, and lower bred, whose wisdom is at best a sort of dinning, and whose courage is more than doubtful." "Your Majesty imputes to me a presumption of which I am not guilty, in supposing me to aspire so highly," said Oliver.
"I am glad to hear it, man," said the King; "and truly, I hold your judgment the healthier that you disown such a reverie.

But methinks thy speech sounded strangely in that key .-- Well, to return .-- I dare not wed this beauty to one of my subjects--I dare not return her to Burgundy--I dare not transmit her to England or to Germany, where she is likely to become the prize of some one more apt to unite with Burgundy than with France, and who would be more ready to discourage the honest malcontents in Ghent and Liege, than to yield them that wholesome countenance which might always find Charles the Hardy enough to exercise his valour on, without stirring from his domains--and they were in so ripe a humour for insurrection, the men of Liege in especial, that they alone, well heated and supported, would find my fair cousin work for more than a twelvemonth; and backed by a warlike Count of Croye--O, Oliver! the plan is too hopeful to be resigned without a struggle .-- Cannot thy fertile brain devise some scheme ?" Oliver paused for a long time--then at last replied, "What if a bridal could be accomplished betwixt Isabelle of Croye and young Adolphus, the Duke of Gueldres ?" "What!" said the King, in astonishment "sacrifice her, and she, too, so lovely a creature, to the furious wretch who deposed, imprisoned, and has often threatened to murder his own father!--No, Oliver, no that were too unutterably cruel even for you and me, who look so steadfastly to our excellent end, the peace and the welfare of France, and respect so little the means by which it is attained.

Besides, he lies distant from us and is detested by the people of Ghent and Liege .-- No, no--I will none of Adolphus of Gueldres--think on some one else." "My invention is exhausted, Sire," said the counsellor; "I can remember no one who, as husband to the Countess of Croye, would be likely to answer your Majesty's views.