Foix and Béarn, the king of France will think himfelf juftified to poffefs them by force. We therefore muft know the terms of fuch treaties, if they exift, for we are othefwife fituated than Foix. Gurs is a free country, which owes neither homage nor fervitude to any one; whereas the county of Foix is a tenure from the king of France, and the Foixiens are fo attached to France, that they will cheerfully acknowledge that king for its lord : in-deed, they already fay, that fince the count de Foix has deceafed wichout heir-male by legal marriage, that county naturally falls to the king of France, its lord paramount. My lord, you know we ihall maintain our rights, and that we will not furrender them to any lord, whether the king of. France or you. We recommend, therefore, tfrat in this bu-finefs you take the lead, by treaty or otljerwife.* The vifcount replied,—* And how would you advife me to aft? for I have declared my willing-nefs to follow every thing in reafon that "you Ihall counfel me/ * My .lord,' faid they, 4 we think you Ihould defire your coufin fir Rojjer d'Efpaïgn, who is here prefent, to accompany you at your ex-penfe to the county of Foix, to negotiate with the barons, prelates and principal inhabitants. If you fucceed in prevailing on them to ' accept you for lord, or to keep fecret their intentions until you fhall have gained oyer the king of trance by means of a compofition in money, that the inhe-ritance may be yours, you will have done well. Have an interview with the cômmifîioners fent by the king of France to Foix, and offer one or evert two SOê