fM% you will rcqucft the king to grant you an cfcort to Brittany, to vifit the duke and ftay fome time with him.* The earl of Derby confented, and came to Paris, where all things were prepared for his de-parture : he waited on the king as ufual whenever he pleafed, for the doors of the palace were open to him at all hours. At this laft vifit, he talked to the king very ably, as he knew well how to do, as to his future plans, and faid he would go and amufe himfelf in Brittany and vifit the duke, whom he called his uncle, for he had married a fitter to his father, daughter to king Edward. The king, not thinking he was plotting mifchief, eafily affented ; and the earl, having requefted an efcort to Brittany, the king promifed to give inftant orders for one to be at his command. To fhorten the matter, the earl managed his affairs with much difcretion, and took leave of all the lords who were then at court : on his departure, he made very handfome prefents to the king's officers, for he was bounden fo to do ; and to the heralds and minftrels refident in Paris, and who attended the farewel fupper he gave at the hotel de Clifion to fuch of the French knights as chofe to partake of it. Thefe things done, on the next morning he and his attendants mounted their horfes and left Paris by the gate of St. James, following the road to Eitampes. A knight from Beauce, called fir Guy le Baveux, cfcorted them. They continued their journey 121