ought, perhaps, to drag it about at my heels, like the Grand Council, and
watch more closely over its conduct." The two deputies made an attempt
to prolong their stay at Amboise: but, "If before six to-morrow morning,"
said the king, "they be not gone, I will send some archers to take them
and cast them into a dungeon for six months; and woe to whoever dares to
speak to me for them!"

On returning to Paris the deputies were beginning to give their fellows
an account of how harsh a reception they met with, when Louis de la
Tremoille, the most respected amongst the chiefs of the army, entered the
hall. He came by order of the king to affirm to the Parliament that to
dismiss the Concordat was to renew the war, and that it must obey on the
instant or profess open rebellion. Parliament upheld its decision of
July 24, 1517, against the Concordat, at the same time begging La
Tremoille to write to the king to persuade him, if he insisted upon
registration, to send some person of note or to commission La Tremoille
himself to be present at the act, and to see indorsed upon the Concordat,
"Read, published, and registered at the king's most express command
several times repeated, in presence of . . . , specially deputed by
him for that purpose." Tremoille hesitated to write, and exhibited the
letters whereby the king urged him to execute the strict orders laid upon
him. "What are those orders, then?" asked the premier president. "That
is the king's secret," answered La Tremoille: "I may not reveal it; all
that I can tell you is, that I should never have peace of mind if you
forced me to carry them out." The Parliament in its excitement begged La
Tremoille to withdraw, and sent for him back almost immediately.
"Choose," said the premier president to him, "between Saturday or Monday
next to be present at the registration." La Tremoille chose Monday,
wishing to allow himself time for an answer even yet from the king. But
no new instructions came to him; and on the 22d of March, 1518,