my; provisions were short; murmurs and dissensions
were setting in; and the League of common weal was on the point of ending
in a shameful catastrophe. Whilst strolling and conversing with
cordiality the two princes kept advancing towards Paris. Without
noticing it, they passed within the entrance of a strong palisade which
the king had caused to be erected in front of the city-walls, and which
marked the boundary-line. All on a sudden they stopped, both of them
disconcerted. The Burgundian found himself within the hostile camp; but
he kept a good countenance, and simply continued the conversation.
Amongst his army, however, when he was observed to be away so long, there
was already a feeling of deep anxiety. The chieftains had met together.
"If this young prince," said the marshal of Burgundy, "has gone to his
own ruin like a fool, let us not ruin his house. Let every man retire to
his quarters, and hold himself in readiness without disturbing himself
about what may happen. By keeping together we are in a condition to fall
back on the marches of Hainault, Picardy, or Burgundy." The veteran
warrior mounted his horse and rode forward in the direction of Paris to
see whether Count Charles were coming back or not. It was not long
before he saw a troop of forty or fifty horse moving towards him. They
were the Burgundian prince and an escort of the king's own guard.
Charles dismissed the escort, and came up to the marshal, saying, "Don't
say a word; I acknowledge my folly; but I saw it too late; I was already
close to the works." "Everybody can see that I was not there," said the
marshal; "if I had been, it would never have happened. You know, your
highness, that I am only on loan to you, as long as your father lives."
Charles made no reply, and returned to his own camp, where all
congratulated him and rendered homage to the king's honorable conduct.

Negotiations for peace were opened forthwith. There was no difficulty
about them. Louis was ready to make sacrifices as soon as be recognized
the necessity for them, being quite determined, however, in his heart to
recall them as soon as fortune came back to him. Two distinct treaties
were concluded: one at Conflans on the 5th of October, 1465, between
Louis and the Count of Charolais; and the other at St. Maur on the 29th
of October, between Louis and the other princes of the League. By one or
the other of the treaties the king granted nearly every demand that h