opinion.  The fame of the Duke would suffer irreparable injury by so flagrant a violation of his plighted word.  The advantages, moreover, to be gained by the captivity, the deposition, perhaps the death of the King, were uncertain.  The heir to the throne was entirely in the hands of the Bretons, and was not likely to be eager to advance the interests of Burgundy.  A large and well-disciplined army, commanded by experienced captains, was assembled on the frontiers.  If they could not rescue their master, they would at least endeavor to avenge him, while the new King could acquire an easy popularity by execrating a crime of which he and Francis of Brittany would reap all the advantage.  It was a wiser course to accept the terms which the King in his alarm proffered—­the settlement in favor of Burgundy of all the disputed questions which had arisen out of the treaties of Arras and Conflans—­and it might be possible to humiliate and disgrace Louis by compelling him to take part in the punishment of his allies, the citizens of Liege, who by their trust in him had been lured to destruction.

Charles left the council apparently undecided, and passed the night in as great a storm of passion as the two preceding.  The conflict within him doubtless fanned his wrath.  Comines, who shared his room, endeavored to calm him, and to persuade him to embrace the course most consistent with his interests and the King’s safety; for so great a prince, if once a captive, might scarcely hope to leave his prison alive.  Toward morning Charles determined to content himself with insisting that Louis should sign a peace on such terms as he should dictate, and accompany him against Liege.  The King, says Comines, had a friend who informed him that he would be safe if he agreed to these conditions, but that otherwise his peril would be extreme.  This friend was Comines himself, and Louis never forgot so timely a service.  The two days during which his fate was being decided had been passed by him in the greatest agony of mind.  Though he had been allowed to communicate freely with the French nobles and his own attendants, he had been ominously neglected by the Burgundian courtiers.  As soon as the Duke had determined what conditions he intended to impose, he hastened to the castle to visit his captive.  The memorable interview is described by two eye-witnesses—­Comines and Olivier de la Marche.  Charles entered the King’s presence with a lowly obeisance; but his gestures and his unsteady voice betrayed his suppressed passion.  The King could not conceal his fear.  “My brother,” he asked, “am I not safe in your dominions?”

“Yes, sire, so safe that if I saw a cross-bow pointed at you I would throw myself before you to shield you from the bolt.”