Enroll them in places of honor, my Lord Seneschal.

See that they are supplied with horses, accoutrements, and tents for themselves and their squires, and direct my Lord Treasurer to pay to them upon demand a sum of money of which he shall be duly notified." When the duke stopped speaking, a murmur of approval ran through the audience--though the Italians had no part in it.

The murmur grew clamorous and soon a mighty shout filled the vaulted roof:-- "Long life to the noble Count of Hapsburg! Burgundy and Styria forever!" To me, the words seemed delightfully prophetic.

Soon afterward the audience was dismissed, and Max and I had the great honor of being asked to join the duke's council.

A council to the Duke of Burgundy was indeed a veritable fifth wheel.