As for Mlle. of Burgundy, the deputies would ascertain the wishes of their principals, but the second request did not call for a referendum.  The representatives were fully capable of settling the matter at once.  Considering the heavy burdens laid on the people, and taking into account the promises made to them in 1473, that no further demands should be made on the public purse, the three Estates concurred in humbly petitioning Monseigneur to excuse them from granting his request.

It was on a Sunday after dinner (April 28th) when this decision was communicated to the duchess in her own hotel.  After a private colloquy between her and Hugonet, the chancellor told the messenger that it was quite right for the deputies to consult their principals before the heiress was permitted to leave the guardianship of her faithful subjects.  That was a grave matter, but surely there was no reason why her “escort” could not be determined upon at once.  In regard to the levies, Madame was not empowered to take any excuse.  It was beyond her province.  Since the opening of the assembly, fresh letters had arrived from the duke urging the speedy execution of his previous instructions.  The chancellor then appointed a committee to meet a committee from the States at 8 A.M. on the morrow at the convent of the Augustines.

This was not satisfactory.  Hugonet was speedily notified that the States did not feel empowered to appoint a committee.  The most they could do was to resolve themselves into a committee of the whole.  The objection to this was that a small conference was far better suited to free discussion.  It was easy for unqualified persons to enter the session of a large body.  The States, however, were tenacious in their opinion that their writs did not qualify them to appoint committees.  Every point must be threshed out in the presence of every deputy. Potestas delegata non deleganda est.

[Illustration:  PHILIBERT, DUKE OF SAVOY (AFTER THE DESIGN BY MATHEY)]

There was further negotiation, and it was not until Monday afternoon that Hugonet’s commissioner brought a conciliatory message that if the gentlemen were so bent on it, he would, in spite of the difficulty of discussion in an open meeting, talk over both points with them in full assembly.  Again the States objected.  They had no instructions whatsoever in regard to Mademoiselle, and could not discuss her movements either in public or in private session.  As to levies, they repeated in detail all previous arguments, and expressed a fervent hope that Monseigneur would withdraw the request.  It would, in the end, be more to Monseigneur’s advantage, etc.  Back and forth travelled the commissioner between States and duchess.  The latter simply reiterated her dictum that Mary must certainly set forth to visit her father in May, with an adequate escort, in whose ranks must appear three prelates, three or four barons, fifty knights, and notable men from the “good towns,” well armed.