affairs of Caftille, and not fuffer his claim to re-main longer, in a ftate of fufpenfe. He perceiv-ed that he never could have a more convenient entrahce into that country than through Portu-gal ; more efpecially as king John was fo defi-rous for him to come thither, and the king of England and his council had confented thereto. He looked on don John as valiant and wife, and honoured him much for the victory he had won over the CaftiDians. That he might gain more information as to the real ftate of Portugal, together with the claims the lady Beatrice had on that crown, and the reafons why the commonalty had elect-ed the grand matter of Avis their king, he invit-ed the ambafladors to a private dinner : when it was over, he ordered all the attendants out of his apartment, and called the grand matter of St. James and Lawrence Fongaffe moft kindly to him, and began to converfe on the affairs of Portugal ; but, as Lawrence fpoke French fo flu-ently, he .addreffed himfelf to him, faying,— ' Lawrence, I entreat you will relate to me eve-ry thing that has happened in Portugal fmce my brother left it; for the king of Portugal writes me word, that no one can give me fuch exact- information as yourfelf, and by fo doing you will very much oblige me.9 /. My lord/ replied the fquire, € your pleafure (hall be obey-ed/ and he immediately began to this effect : Bbl CHAP. 371