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 privacy, the lady of Giac, "whom he loved and trusted mightily,"
and Philip Jossequin, who had at first been his chamber attendant, and
afterwards custodian of his jewels and of his privy seal, strongly urged
him to make peace with the _dauphin_; and the pope's fresh legate, the
Bishop of Laon, added his exhortations to these home influences. There
had been fitted up at a league's distance from Melun, on the embankment
of the ponds of Vert, a summer-house of branches and leaves, hung with
drapery and silken stuffs; and there the first interview between the two
princes took place. The _dauphin_ left in displeasure; he had found the
Duke of Burgundy haughty and headstrong. Already the old servants of the
late Duke of Orleans, impelled by their thirst for vengeance, were saying
out loud that the matter should be decided by arms, when the lady of Giac
went after the _dauphin_, who from infancy had also been very much
attached to her, and she, going backwards and forwards between the two
princes, was so affectionate and persuasive with both that she prevailed
upon them to meet again, and to sincerely wish for an understanding. The
next day but one they returned to the place of meeting, attended, each of
them, by a large body of men-at-arms. They advanced towards one another
with ten men only, and dismounted. The Duke of Burgundy went on bended
knee. The _dauphin_ took him by the hand, embraced him, and would have
raised him up. "No, my lord," said the duke; "I know how I ought to
address you." The _dauphin_ assured him that he forgave every offence,
if indeed he had received any, and added, "Cousin, if in the proposed
treaty between us there be aught which is not to your liking, we desire
that you amend it, and henceforth we will desire all you shall desire;
make no doubt of it." They conversed for some time with every appearance
of cordiality; and then the treaty was signed. It was really a treaty of