258 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

Chap. in the least point os the scheme concerted ,lxvi. and would enter into war with Lewis , if hei«77> rejected it.

Kegocia- Lewis received the message with seeming

tlon *‘ gentleness and complacency. He told Feverstiam,that the king of England well knew , that hemight always be master of the peace; but someof the towns in Flanders, it seemed very hardto demand, especially Tournay , upon whosefortifications such immense sums had been ex-pended : He would therefore take some shorttime to consider of an answer. Feverstiamsaid, that he was limited to two days stay: Butwhen that time was elapsed, he was prevailedon to remain some few days longer ; and hecame away at last without any positive answer.Lewis said, that he hoped his brother would notbreak with him for one or two towns : Andwith regard to them too , he would send ordersto his ambassador at London to treat with theking himself. Charles was softened by the soft-ness of France; and the blow was thus artfullyeluded. The French ambassador, Barillon, ownedat last, that he had orders to yield all exceptTournay, and even to treat about some equi-valent for that fortress , if the king absolutelyinsisted upon it The prince was gone , whohad given spirit to the Englisti court; and thenegotiation be^an to draw out into messages andreturns from Paris.

By intervals, however, the king could rousehimself, and (how still some firmness and resolution.Finding that affairs were not likely to come to