what anfwer to make to the Englifh lords. He had ordered that two hundred crowns of France Ihould be paid during their ftay in Paris, for the cxpenTes of them and their horfes. The principal lords, fuch as the earl of Rutland and the earl marfhal, were frequently with the king, and ftaid dinner : the king, his brother and uncles, ihewed them every attention, from refpeét to the king of England. The ambafladors de-manded an anfwer to their propofals, but- were fome time put off with excufes ; for it was matter of great furprile to every one that the Englifh ihould be fo forward to offer fuch an alliance after the bitter war that had been carried on between the two nations, for fuch a length of time. .Some in the council faid,—f How will it be poffible for the king, our lord, to give his daughter in marriage to his adverfary the king of England ? We think, that before fuch a meafure can take place, there ought to be a folid peace eflablifhed between France, England, and their allies.' This and many other points were agitated in the privy council of France. There was at this period a very wife chancellor of France, called fir Arnaud de Corbie : he faw far into events likely to happen, and knew well the. different interefts that fwayed the kingdom. He faid to the king and his uncles,—c My lords, we ought to go ftraight forward in this bujineis.; for king Richard of England fhews plainly that he wifhes nothing but affeétion to France, fince • he is defirous to ally himfelf with us by marriage; . We have