Α.». 1210.] 1)Γ.ΛΤΙ1 OK JOHN s:iiil king however did homage, as lie had pre-arranged, and returned home. The treachery of the French detected. It happened about this time that the viscount de Melun, a French nobleman who had come into Kngland with Louis, fell seriously ill at London ; and when be found that his death was approaching, he sent for some of the bannis who had been left in charge of the city lo speak with him, and in the hearing of them all made the following confession. '"1 grieve," said he, "for your desolation and ruin, because you know not the danger which hangs over you ; for Louis and sixteen other French counts and barons with him have sworn, that, if he subdues Kngland and is crowned king, he will condemn to perpetual banishment all those who arc now lighting with him and persecuting king John, as traitors against their lord, and will destroy the whole race of them from the kingdom ; and, that you may not doubt this, J, who am now lying here at the point of death, declare to you at ll:e risk of my soul, that 1 am one of those who have taken this oath with Louis. Therefore 1 now sincerely advise you to provide for your safety for the future, and to keep secret what 1 have now told you;" and with these words that nobleman immediately expired. When this information was spread amongst the barons they were in great consternation, for they knew that they were in trouble on every side; for Louis had, notwithstanding their murmurs, given their land and castles, which he bad subdued in various places, to the French, and, what hurt them most, had branded them with treachery ; their alarm was increased too, by the circumstance of their being excommunicated day after day, ami deprived of all earthly honour, and they consequently fell into great trouble both of body and mind. Many of them thought of returning to their allegiance to king .John ; hut they were afraid, that, on account of the many and great injuries by which he bad been provoked to anger against them, he would not receive them though penitent. Of the death of king John. Whilst Louis was continuing the siege at Dover for a