he interview,
on the borders of the Seine, near Meulan, where two pavilions had been
prepared, one for the King of France and the other for the King of
England. Charles VI., being ill, remained at Pontoise. Queen Isabel,
Princess Catherine, and the Duke of Burgundy arrived at the appointed
spot. Henry V. was already there; he went to meet the queen, saluted
her, took her hand, and embraced her and Madame Catherine as well; Duke
John slightly bent his knee to the king, who raised him up and embraced
him likewise. This solemn interview was succeeded by several others to
which Princess Catherine did not come. The queen requested the King of
England to state exactly what he proposed; and he demanded the execution
of the treaty of Bretigny, the cession of Normandy, and the absolute
sovereignty, without any bond of vassalage, of whatever should be ceded
by the treaty. A short discussion ensued upon some secondary questions.
There appeared to be no distant probability of an understanding. The
English believed that they saw an inclination on the Duke of Burgundy's
part not to hasten to a conclusion, and to obtain better conditions from
King Henry by making him apprehensive of a reconciliation with the
_dauphin_. Henry proposed to him, for the purpose of ending everything,
a conference between themselves alone; and it took place on the 3d of
June. "Cousin," said the king to the duke, "we wish you to know that we
will have your king's daughter, and all that we have demanded with her;
else we will thrust him out of his kingdom, and you too." "Sir,"
answered the duke, "you speak according to your pleasure; but before
thrusting my lord and myself from the kingdom you will have what will
tire you, we make no doubt, and you will have enough to do to keep
yourself in your own island." Between two princes so proud there was
little probability of an understanding; and they parted with no other
result than mutual displeasure.

Some days before, on the 14th of May, 1419, a truce of three months had
been concluded between the _dauphin_ and the Duke of Burgundy, and was to
lead to a conference also between these two princes. It did not commence
before the 8th of July. During this interval, Duke John had submitted
for the mature deliberation of his council the question whether it were
better to grant the English demands, or become reconciled to the
_dauphin_. Amongst his official councillors opinions were divided; but,
in his pr