Shall I read the missive, my lord ?" "No!" cried the duke, "Curse his soft words.

There is no bad news yet.
Proceed." "It is rumored, Your Grace," continued the count, "that Frederick, Duke of Styria, is preparing to aid the Swiss against Your Grace." "With his advice ?" asked the duke.

"The old pauper has nothing else to give, unless it be the bones of his ancestors." "It is said, Your Highness, that Wuertemberg will also aid the Swiss, and that Duke Albert will try to bring about a coalition of the German states for the purpose of assisting the Swiss, aiding Lorraine, and overthrowing Burgundy.

This purpose, our informant tells us, has been fostered by this same Duke Frederick of Styria." "This news, I suppose, is intended for our ears by the Duke of Styria.
He probably wishes us to know that he is against us," said Charles.

"He wanted our daughter for his clown of a son, and our contempt for his claims rankles in his heart.