was ready to receive the four knights either in Foix or in Beam ; but that the confent of the count and countefs de Boulogne muft firft be had. The duke of Berry was well pleafed oh re-ceiving fetch an anfwer, and negotiated with one and another, during the winter, that his marriage might take place in the courfe of the fummer. The bufmefs, notwithftanding, was not fo foon accompli(hed ; for the duke of Berry knew well that the count de Foix was not a perfon to act haftily, and that there would be many queftions and replies before the matter could be expected to be brought to a conclufion. He therefore prudently carried on the treaty, by fending fpe-cial meffengers to pope Clement, who was nearly related to the young lady. The pope was rejoiced at hearing his coufin would be fo highly conuected as with the duke of Berry, uncle to the king of France ; and he wrote, in confequence, to the count de Foix, to notify to him in an honourable manner, that he would not on any account this propofal fhould be re-jected, for their families would be made by it. The count de Foix received letters from all quarters; for he could, on fuch occafions, well diffemble his real fentiments, and yet retain the affections of all, the pope as well as the duke of Berry; but there were none fo wife among them, that knew what were the count's real thoughts. We will now leave this matter, and return to the fiege of Ventadour. 318 CHAP.