PRELIM.] HIS ADMONITION AGAINST WHISPERING. 355 He loved every one who, with uprightness of heart, feared and loved God ; insomuch that from the great reputation he had heard of my brother Sir Gilles de Bruyn, who was not a Frenchman, for his fear and love of God, as was the truth, he appointed him constable of France. In like manner, from the favourable report which he had heard of Master Robert de Sorbon being a courageous and discreet man, he made him one of his personal attendants, and permitted him to partake of his table. One time, as we were sitting near each other, and eating and drinking at the king's table, we conversed together in a low voice, which the good king observing, reprimanded us by saying, " You act wrong thus to whisper together; speak out, that your companions may not suspect you are talking of them to their disadvantage, and railing at them. When eating in company, if you bave any things to say that are pleasant and agreeable, say them aloud, that every one may hear them : if not, be silent." When the good king was in a cheerful mood, he frequently put questions to me in the presence of Master Robert ; and once he said, " Seneschal, now tell me the reason why a discreet man is of more worth than a valiant man." Upon this a noisy dispute arose between Master Robert and me ; and when we had long argued the question, the good king thus gave his judgment. " Master Robert, I should not only like to have the reputation of a discreet man, but to be so in reality, and your other distinctions you may keep ; for discretion is of such value, that the very word fills the mouth. On the contrary," added the good king, " it is most wicked to take the goods of others ; for the surrendering of them to their rightful owners is so grievous that the pronouncing of it tears the palate, from the number of rrr's that are in the word ; which rrr's signify the rents of the devil, who daily draws to him all those who wish to give away the chattels of others they have seized upon. The devil does this with much subtlety, lor he seduces the usurers and despoilers, and urges them to give their usuries and rapines to the church, in honour of God, which they ought to restore to the proper owners, who are well known to them." When thus conversing, be told me to say in his name to King Thibaut, bis son-in-law, that be must look well to his actions, and not overcharge his soul, 2 A 2