If it please God and Our Lady that you may conclude your mission,
I assure you that as long as I live I will have no embassy either
large or small without immediately informing Monsg. of Burgundy
and I will only answer as if through him. I assure you that until
I hear from you whether Monsg. of Burgundy decides to conclude
this treaty or not as we agreed together, I will make no agreement
with any creature in the world and of that you may assure him.

"Written at Montbazon, December 11th (1471).

"Loys."

At the same time Louis did not neglect friendly intercourse with the
towns he proposed to cede.

"To the inhabitants of Amiens in behalf of the king: "Dear and
beloved, we have heard reports at length from Amiens and we are
well content with you.... Give credence to all my messengers say.
We thank you heartily for all that you and your deputies have done
in our cause."

At the Burgundian court the duke's friends thought that he would play
the part of wisdom did he keep an army within call, and refrain from
implicitly trusting the king's promises. There was, moreover, an
impression abroad that the latter was not in a position to be very
formidable.

"Once [says Commines][15] I was present when the Seigneur d'Ursé
[envoy from the Duke of Guienne] was talking in this wise and
urging the duke to mobilise his forces with all diligence. The