Count Guy lost no time in taking the necessary steps for satisfying all the king's requisitions immediately upon his return to Flanders, and for laying the foundations of a long peace, in which his subjects might forget the calamities of war. Even Robert de Bethune seemed to have no doubt of the promised grace; for, ever since his father's appearance at court, the French nobles had on all occasions behaved with the utmost kindness and civility to the Flemings; and as the latter well knew that the thoughts of princes are best read on the countenances of their courtiers, they saw in this demeanor a certain proof of the favor and good-will of the king.
De Chatillon, among the rest, had repeatedly visited the Count, and overwhelmed him with congratulations; but he concealed a devilish secret in his heart, which he contrived to hide with his smiles. His niece, Joanna of. Navarre, having promised him that the fief of Flanders should one day be his, all his ambitious projects had centred upon this one goal; and now he beheld it vanishing into thin air before his eyes, like a dream which is gone and leaves no trace behind.
There is no passion of the human heart whicH more readily and imperiously leads away those who are subject to it into every kind of iniquity than the lust of power; pitilessly it tramples down whatever impedes its path, and looks not round to count the havoc it has made, so steadfastly and constantly does it keep its eyes fixed on the darling object. Possessed by this fiend, De Chatillon resolved in his heart on a deed of treachery, of which his own selfish interests were indeed the real motive, but which he decorated before his conscience with the fair names of duty and patriotism.
On the very same day that he arrived at Compiegne he chose out one of his most faithful servants, and, mounting him on his best horse, he despatched him in all haste to Paris. A letter which this messenger bore gave a full account of all that had passed to the queen and Enguerrand de Marigny, and urgently pressed their speedy return to court.
His traitorous design met with the fullest success. Joanna of Navarre's fury knew no bounds. The Flemings graciously received! Should they to whom she had sworn an eternal hate thus escape her at the very moment when they seemed at last fully in her power? And Enguerrand de Marigny, who had already squandered, or in prospect laid out, the enormous sums which he reckoned on extorting from the Flemish burghers! Both of these foes of Flanders had too great an interest in the destruction of their prey, to allow it thus easily to give them the slip. No sooner had they received the intelligence than both hastened back to Compiegne, and appeared suddenly and unexpectedly in the king's chamber.
'What, sire!" cried Joanna; "am I, then, nothing to you, that you thus receive my enemies into favor without a word said to me? Or have you lost your reason, that you are resolved on nourishing these Flemish serpents to your own destruction?"
"Madame," answered Philip, calmly, "methinks it would beseem you to address your husband and your king with somewhat more respect. If it is my pleasure to show grace to the old Count of Flanders, so shall it be."
"No!" cried Joanna, inflamed with anger, "so shall it not be! Hear me, sire! I will not have it so! What! shall the rebels who beheaded my uncles escape thus? Shall they have it to boast that they have shed with impunity the blood royal of Navarre, and insulted its queen?"
"Your passion leads you astray, madame," replied Philip; "bethink yourself calmly, and tell me, is it not right that Philippa should be restored to her father?"
At this Joanna's fury waxed still higher.
"Release Philippa!" she exclaimed. "Surely, sire, you can not think of it! That she may be married to Edward of England's son, and so your own child may lose a throne? No, no; that shall never happen, believe me. And what is more, Philippa is my prisoner; and you shall find that even your kingly power is not sufficient to rescue her from my grasp!"
"Truly, madame," cried Philip, "you are exceeding all bounds! I would have you know that this unseemly defiance much displeases me; take care, moreover, that I do not make you feel it! I am your sovereign, and as such I will be obeyed!"
"And you intend to restore Flanders to this old rebel, and to put him in a position once more to make war upon you? A grievous repentance will you prepare for yourself by so ill-considered a step! For my part, since I see that I am of so small account with you, that a matter so nearly concerning me is to be settled without my being even consulted, I will return to my own land of Navarre, and Philippa shall go with
