with equal plcafurè, and that you may perform fuch deeds of arms as may. fatisfy yoû and gain you pro-fit and renown.' c May God/ they replied, * ren-der you the fame, and we moft humbly thank you that you are thus kindly come to fee us before we depart.' ' You muft know, that in thefe days the duke of Brittany was building a very handfome and ftrong caftle near Vannes, called the caftle of Ermine, which was almoft completed. Being eager to catch the conftable,' he faid to him, the lord de Beaumanoir and other barons,—* My dear firs, I entreat that before you quit this country, you will come a&d fee my caftle of Ermine, that you may view what I have done, and the^plans 1 intend exe-cuting/ They all accepted his invitation j for, his behaviour had been fo kind and open, that they never thought he was imagining mifchief. They accom-panied the duke on horfeback to this caftle ; and, when arrived, the duke, the conftable, the lords de Laval and de Beaumanoir difmounted and en-tered within its apartments. The duke led the conftable by the hand from chamber to. chamber, and to all parts, even to the cellars, where wine was offered. When he had carried them all over it, they came to. the keep ; and, flopping at the en-trance, the'duke faid,-^4 Sir Oliver, there is not a man on this fide of the fea who underftands ma-fonry like you : enter, therefore, I beg of you, and examine the walls well ; and, if you fay it is pro-perly built, it lhall remain, otherwife it lhall be aU tered.*. The conftable, who thought nothing ill VOL. Vffl. 1 irm 241