the fate of her House than for that of her country, and feeling herself near her end, said one day to her son-in-law, “My son, reflect that the House of Bourbon made alliance with the House of Burgundy, and that during that alliance it always prospered.  You see at the present moment what is the state of our affairs, and the lawsuit in which you are involved is proceeded with only for want of alliances.  I do beg and command you to accept the emperor’s alliance.  Promise me to use thereto all the diligence you can, and I shall die more easy.”  She died on the 14th of November, 1522, bequeathing all her possessions to the constable, who was day by day more disposed to follow her counsels.  In the summer of 1522, he had, through the agency of Adrian de Croy, Lord of Beaurain, entered into negotiations not only with Charles V., but also with Henry VIII., King of England, deploring the ill behavior of Francis I. and the enormity of existing abuses, and proposing to set on foot in his own possessions a powerful movement for the reformation of the kingdom and the relief of the poor people, if the two sovereigns would send “persons of trust and authority into the vicinity of his principality of Dombes, to Bourg-en-Bresse, whither he on his side would send his chancellor to come to an agreement with them and act in common.”  In the month of March, 1523, whilst the foreign negotiations thus commenced and the home-process against the constable were pursuing a parallel course, Bourbon one day paid a visit to Queen Claude of France at the hour when she was dining alone.  She was favorably disposed towards him, and would have liked to get him married to her sister Renee, who subsequently became Duchess of Ferrara.  She made him sit down.  Francis I., who was at dinner in an adjacent room, came in.  Bourbon rose to take leave.  “Nay, keep your seat,” said the king; “and so it is true that you are going to be married?” “Not at all, sir.”  “O, but I know it; I am sure of it; I know of your dealings with the emperor.  And bear well in mind what I have to say to you on the subject.”  “Sir! is this a threat, pray?  I have not deserved such treatment.”  After dinner he departed and went back to his hotel hard by the Louvre; and many gentlemen who happened to be at court accompanied him by way of escort.  He was as yet a powerful vassal, who was considered to be unjustly persecuted.

Charles V. accepted eagerly the overtures made to him by Bourbon in response to his own; but, before engaging in action, he wished to be certified about the disposition of Henry VIII., King of England, and he sent Beaurain to England to take accurate soundings.  Henry at first showed hesitation.  When, Beaurain set before him all the advantages that would accrue to their coalition from the Duke of Bourbon’s alliance:  “And I,” said the king, brusquely, “what, pray, shall I get?” “Sir,” answered Beaurain, “you will be King of France.”  “Ah!” rejoined Henry, “it will