I am much astounded at their wickedness. But begin
we by swearing this treaty; and then I will start, with as many or as few
of my people as you please."

Forthwith was taken out from the king's boxes the wood of the so-called
true cross, which was named the cross of St. Laud, because it had been
preserved in the church of St. Laud, at Angers. It was supposed to have
formerly belonged to Charlemagne; and it was the relic which Louis
regarded as the most sacred. The treaty was immediately signed, without
any change being made in that of Conflans. The Duke of Burgundy merely
engaged to use his influence with Prince Charles of France to induce him
to be content with Brie and Champagne as appanage. The storm was
weathered; and Louis almost rejoiced at seeing himself called upon to
chastise in person the Liegese, who had made him commit such a mistake
and run such a risk.

Next day the two princes set out together, Charles with his army, and
Louis with his modest train increased by three hundred men-at-arms, whom
he had sent for from France. On the 27th of October they arrived before
Liege. Since Duke Charles's late victories, the city had no longer any
ramparts or ditches; nothing seemed easier than to get into it; but the
besieged could not persuade themselves that Louis was sincerely allied
with the Duke of Burgundy, and they made a sortie, shouting, "Hurrah for
the king! Hurrah for France!" Great was their surprise when they saw
Louis advancing in person, wearing in his hat the cross of St. Andrew of
Burgundy, and shouting, "Hurrah for Burgundy!" Some even amongst the
French who surrounded the king were shocked; they could not reconcile
themselves to so little pride and such brazen falsehood. Louis took no
heed of their temper, and never ceased to repeat, "When pride rides
before, shame and hurt follow close after." The surprise of the Liegese
was transformed into indignation.

[Illustration: Louis XI. and Charles the Rash at Peronne----209]

They made a more energetic and a longer resistance than had been
expected. The besiegers, confident in their strength, kept careless
watch, and the sorties of the besieged became more numerous. One night
Charles received notice that his men had just been attacked in a suburb
which they had held, and were flying. He mounted his horse, gave orders
not to awake the king, repaired by himself to the place where the fight
was, put everything to rights, and came back and t