I can to advise me of the
noble states and high deeds in your quarter ... as becomes two
friends of one rank and calling in two fraternal, allied and
friendly houses.

"My lady and her company arrived at l'Ecluse on a Saturday, June
25th, and on the morrow Madame the Duchess of Burgundy, mother
of the duke, Mlle. of Burgundy and various other ladies and
demoiselles visited Madame Margaret[8] and only

stayed till dinner. The duchess was greatly pleased with her
prospective daughter-in-law and could not say enough of her character
and her virtues. There remained with Dame Margaret, on the part of
the duchess, the Charnys, Messire Jehan de Rubempre and various other
ladies and gentlemen to act the hosts to the strange ladies and
gentlemen who had crossed from England with the bride. The Count and
Countess de Charny met Madame as she disembarked and never budged from
her side until she had arrived at Bruges.

"The day after the duchess's visit, Monseigneur of Burgundy made his
way to l'Ecluse with a small escort and entered the chateau at the
rear. After supper, accompanied only by six or seven knights of the
Order, he went very secretly to the hotel of Dame Margaret, who had
been warned of his intention, and was attended by the most important
members of her suite, such as the Seigneur d'Escalles, the king's
brother.

"At his arrival when they saw each other the greetings were very
ceremonious and then the two sat down on one bench and chatted
comfortably together for some time. After some conversation, the
Bishop of Salisbury, according to a prearranged plan of his own,
kneeled before the two and made complimentary speeches. He was
followed by M. de Charny, who spoke as follows:

"'Monseigneur, you have found what you desired and since God has
brought this noble lady to port in safety and to your desire, it
seems to me that you should not depart without proving the
affection you bear her, and that you ought to be betrothed now
at this moment and give her your troth.'

"Monseigneur answered that it did not depend upon him. Then the
bishop spoke to Margaret and asked her what she thought. She
answered that it was just for this and nothing else that the king
of England had sent her over and she was quite ready to fulfil
the king's command. Whereupon the bishop took their hands and
betrothed them. Then Monseigneur departed