?4r fhèught he would be well pleafed, as he had been for a long time very anxious to get pofieffion of Ventadpur. The fquire having received the let* ter, and his inftru&ionè, what to fay and how to aft, left the biock-houfe, and, traverfin^ Umoufià and Auvergne,: rode on until he came to Riomi •where I believe he found the duke of Berry. - Ôn entering his prefence, he knelt and gave the .duke the letters, recommending' to him the two anights, as he knew'well how to do. The dukè took the letter and read it : when he had a fhort time confidered its contents, he was fo well pleafed, that he ordered • his attendants to take particular care of the fquire, 'which was done. The duke called to him fuch of his council and treafbrers a(s •were with him, and « feid,—€ Here is great news. Our knights, who are blockading Ventadour, write word they have opened a treaty with Alleyne and Peter Roux, who are willing to furrender that place for ten - thoufand francs. That is no large fum? it has coftLimoufin and Auvergne, yearly, fixty thoufand fraiks, as compofition-money, to be "traraolefted by the garrifon. • We wifh to accept their offer, and as fpeedily as may bé, left they "ihould repent of having ' made it. Now, treat-furers, find me inftantly ten thoufand francs. Wè will make a loan of them, as is but juft; and when we are in pofleffiqn of this caftle, will levjr a tax on all the lands which have paid contribution^ that will doubly repay us/ " ' *' * My lord/ replied the treafurers, € we are prq-pared: only give us five or fix days to collect' it;* * You