"I will pawn my life he has not," replied Albany, drily.

"And he wants not reflection as well as spirit," continued the poor
king, pleading the cause of his son to his brother. "I have sent
for him to attend council today, and we shall see how he acquits
himself of his devoir. You yourself allow, Robin, that the Prince
wants neither shrewdness nor capacity for affairs, when he is in
the humor to consider them."

"Doubtless, he wants neither, my liege," replied Albany, "when he
is in the humor to consider them."

"I say so," answered the King; "and am heartily glad that you agree
with me, Robin, in giving this poor hapless young man another trial.
He has no mother now to plead his cause with an incensed father.
That must be remembered, Albany."

"I trust," said Albany, "the course which is most agreeable to your
Grace's feelings will also prove the wisest and the best."

The Duke well saw the simple stratagem by which the King was
endeavouring to escape from the conclusions of his reasoning, and
to adopt, under pretence of his sanction, a course of proceeding
the reverse of what it best suited him to recommend. But though
he saw he could not guide his brother to the line of conduct he
desired, he would not abandon the reins, but resolved to watch for
a fitter opportunity of obtaining the sinister advantages to which
new quarrels betwixt the King and Prince were soon, he thought,
likely to give rise.