n illicit
act, but much lawlessness passed without his knowledge. Provisions
became very dear; there was some danger of an epidemic due to the
unsanitary conditions of the place, ill fitted to harbour so many
strangers. The precautions instituted by the Roman founders in
regard to their water supply had long since fallen into disuse.

Weary of delays, the duke demanded a definite answer from the
emperor as to the proposed kingdom, the matrimonial alliance, and
his own status. Frederic appeared about to acquiesce, and then
substituted vague promises for present assent to the demands. But
when Charles, indignant, broke off negotiations on October 31st,
and began to prepare for immediate departure, Frederic became
anxious, renewed his overtures, and a new conference took place,
in which he consented to fulfil the duke's wishes, with the
proviso the sanction of his election should be obtained.

Charles promised to go against the Turk in person, and to place
a thousand men at Frederic's disposal, so soon as all points at
issue between him and Louis XI. were settled, and provided that
his estates were erected into a kingdom, which should also
comprise the bishoprics of Liege, Utrecht, Toul, Verdun, and the
duchies of Lorraine, Savoy, and Cleves. This realm was to be
a fief of the empire like Hungary, Bohemia, and Poland, and
transmissible by heredity in the male and female line--a necessary
recognition of a woman's right, approved by both parties, for Mary
of Burgundy was to marry Maximilian.

Electoral confirmation alone was wanting, and in regard to that
there was much voluminous correspondence and much shuffling of
responsibility. The electors of Mayence and of Treves were the
only ones present to speak for themselves, and they declared
that the matter ought to be referred to a full conclave of the
electoral college.[9] Let the candidate for royalty await the
decision of the next diet, appointed for November at Augsburg.

Never loth to delay, the emperor proposed this solution to
Charles, who replied haughtily that if his request were not
complied with he would join Louis XI. in a league hostile to the
empire. This was on November 6th. The Archbishop of Treves then
suggested that if the question could not wait for a diet, at
least the electors should be summoned, especially