King Louis, Your Grace knows, thinks many times before each word he speaks or writes." "If he has intentionally delayed this answer, I'll give him cause to think many times _after_ his words," said Charles.
Conversations of like nature had occurred on several occasions since the sending of the missive to Louis, and they offered the stormy duke opportunity to vent his boastfulness and spleen.

While Charles was pouring out his wrath against his brother-in-law, Byron, the herald, appeared at the door of the great hall.

He announced himself, and, when ordered to approach, ran to the dais, kneeled on the second step, and placed a small sealed packet in the duke's hand.
"Did you find King Louis at Paris ?" asked the duke, addressing Byron.
"I did, my lord." "Paris is but thirty leagues distant, and you certainly have had sufficient time since leaving us to journey across Europe and back.

Did not I command you to make haste ?" "You did, my lord," answered the herald.

"King Louis put me off from day to day, always promising me an answer, but giving it only yesterday afternoon when the sun was half below the horizon." Charles nervously broke the seals of the package, and attempted to read the letter.