neither Edward nor his ministers were aware that it was part of the Queen's deeply-concerted plot to enforce its necessity, he saw no means of extricating himself from the dilemma, for such it really was, as to longer defer his justly-due homage was doubtless to lose Guienne and Pontbieu for ever, and to quit England at the present juncture was to hazard the outburst of rebellion during his absence. Besides, the position of tbe Spencers was critical: if they attended the King to Paris, Isabella would exert her power there to their destruction, whilst, on the other hand, they would scarcely be able to defend themselves from the vengeance of the barons in the absence of the King; or perhaps some new favourite—some astute foreigner—would deprive them of their influence over Edward altogether. However, by the advice of parliament, Edward began his journey to France ; but being detained at Hover by an assumed or a real sickness, he dispatched ambassadors to acquaint Isabella and the French King with the cause of his delay. This was precisely what Isabella expected and desired ; and being as anxious as tbe Spencers that Edward should remain in England, she replied by expressing deep sorrow for his illness, importuned him, now that he was sick, on no account to peril the voyage, and hinted that, if he would resign Guienne and Pontbieu to their son, the Prince of Wales, and send him over to do homage, Charles, by her solicitation, would receive it as if done by the father in person. The French King, at the same time, sent a message to the same effect. As neither Edward nor the Spencers suspected the Queen's motives for getting the heir of England into her own power, the suspicious offer was accepted. Prince Edward, a boy of twelve years of age, after promising his father not to marry during his absence, and to return with all speed, sailed from Hover, with a splendid train of nobles and knights, landed at Boulogne on the fourteenth of September, 1325, was met there by the Queen, his mother, and in her company proceeded to Paris, where, immediately on his arrival, and in the presence of Isabella and many English magnates, he performed the accustomed homage at the Bois de Vincennes. CHAPTER IV. :*s adultery and designs discovered by the Bishop of Exeter—He remonstrates with her—Flies to England—The King recalls Isabella and the Frince—They refuse to return—Edward's letters—TheFrince of Wales clandestinely betrothed— Edward writes to him—The Queen detains him, andpersists in not returning herself—Her popularity in England—Ordered to quit Paris—Her flight to Hainault— Sir John Hainault her knight—She lands with an army—Her triumphant progress—Edward's situation critical—His flight—The elder Spencer taken—Executed with barbarity—The King and the younger Spencer seek refuge at Neath—' They are taken—Imprisonment of the King—Execution of Spencer—Death of Baldock—The Prince of Wales proclaimed King—The King is deposed, and made to resign the regalia—Coronation of Edward tìie Third—Regents appointed —Isabella and Mortimer usurp the government. SABELLA'S designs now began to unfold themselves. She had purposely caused the treaty which she had negociated with her brother to be couched in such am biguous terms, that after the Prince of Wales had sworn fealty, the two monarchs fell to disputing. These disputes afforded her a pretext for remaining at Paris, where she joined her paramour, Mortimer, made him the chief officer of her household, and, in fact, lived with him as his mistress. She countenanced the numerous English nobles who had been banished, or who had