It is possible that after consulting with my friend, Sir Karl, I may ask the honor of serving with Your Grace against these Swiss who despoiled my house.

Is Your Grace now satisfied that we are not Swiss spies?
And are we welcome to sojourn for a time in Peronne?
Or shall we leave Burgundy and return to my father in Styria, to tell him that you turned a guest and a friend from your door ?" "You are very welcome, Sir Count, and you, Sir Karl," answered the duke, giving his right hand to Max and familiarly offering me his left.

This hard duke had been beaten into a gracious mood by Max's adroit mixture of flattery and boldness.
A soft answer may turn away wrath, but it may also involve the disagreeable necessity of turning the other cheek.

If it be not tempered by spirit, it is apt to arouse contempt.

The duke remained silent for the space of a minute or two.