"Let those who are for it go to the right,"
shouted a voice, "and those who are against it to the left!" But the
adversaries of peace durst not risk this test. The Duke of Burgundy
could not help seeing that he was declining rapidly; he was no longer
summoned to the king's council; a watch was kept upon his house; and he
determined to go away. On the 23d of August, 1413, without a word said,
even to his household, he went away to the wood of Vincennes, prevailing
on the king to go hawking with him. There was a suspicion that the duke
meant to carry off the king. Juvenal des Ursins, with a company of armed
burgesses, hurried off to Vincennes, and going straight to the king,
said, "Sir, come away to Paris; it is too hot to be out." The king
turned to go back to the city. The Duke of Burgundy was angry, saying
that the king was going a-hawking. "You would take him too far,"
rejoined Juvenal; "your people are in travelling dress, and you have
your trumpeters with you."

[Illustration: John the Fearless----51]

The duke took leave of the king, said business required his presence in
Flanders, and went off as fast as he could.

When it was known that he had gone, there was a feeling of regret and
disquietude amongst the sensible and sober burgesses at Paris. What they
wanted was peace; and in order to have it the adherence of the Duke of
Burgundy was indispensable. Whilst he was present, there might be hope
of winning him or forcing him over to it; but, whilst he was absent,
headstrong as he was known to be, a renewal of war was the most probable
contingency. And this result appeared certain when it was seen how the
princes hostile to the Duke of Burgundy, above all, Duke Charles of
Orleans, the Count of Armagnac and their partisans hastened back to
Paris, and resumed their ascendency with the king and in his council.
The _dauphin_, Louis Duke of Aquitaine, united himself by the ties of
close friendship with the Duke of Orleans, and prevailed upon him to give
up the mourning he had worn since his father's murder; the two princes
appeared everywhere dressed alike; the scarf of Armagnac re-placed that
of Burgundy; the feelings of the populace changed as the fashion of the
court; and when children sang in the streets the song but lately in
vogue, "Burgundy's duke, God give thee joy!" they were struck and hurled
to the ground. Facts were before long in accordance with appearances.
After a few pretences of arrangemen