The States were then resolved into a committee of the whole, for a private deliberation, an action that probably enabled them to exclude the embarrassing spectators.  In preparation for this, the diligent commissioner called apart one deputy from each contingent, and expatiated on the duke’s need of proof of sturdy loyalty.  Seven to eight thousand combatants, besides Mademoiselle’s escort and the fiefs and arriere-fiefs, Monseigneur could manage to make suffice for the present, and these must be provided.  These confidences were at once reported to the assembly, which then adjourned to think over the matter during the night.[3]

When they met again on April 30th, the chancellor was ready with a new message from Madame:  “Go home now, consult your principals, and return on May 15th.”  On the motion of some deputy, this date was changed to May 24th.  Precautions were taken to prevent any binding action in the interim.  Moreover, the exact phrasing of the reports to the separate groups of constituents was also agreed upon by the majority of the deputies.  In this, Hainaut refused to participate, as in that province there was a reluctance to deny the obligations of the fiefs.

When the deputies reassembled a month later, Hugonet tried to weaken the effect of their answer by a suggestion that it had better not be considered the final decision, but a mere informal expression of opinion.  “There were so many strangers present,” etc.  The States determinedly refused to be trifled with.  “Madame must not be displeased if they gave the result of their deliberations in the presence of the whole assembly, not by way of opinion, but as a formal and conclusive report.”  Their charge was restricted to this manner of procedure.  The chancellor, interrupting them, asked, since their charge was thus restricted, whether they had also been limited in the number of times they might drink on their way.[4] The answer was:  “Chancellor, come now, say what you wish.  The answer shall be given as it was meant to be given.”

[Illustration:  PLAN OF BATTLE OF NANCY.  REPRODUCED FROM KIRK’S “CHARLES THE BOLD,” BY PERMISSION OF J.B.  LIPPINCOTT CO.]

The communication was so long that its delivery took from 3 to 8 P.M.  It was nothing more than a detailed apology for refusing the sovereign’s demands.  Several days more were consumed in unsuccessful efforts to cajole or browbeat the deputies into a more genial mood.  The only concessions offered were insignificant, and to their resolution the deputies held firmly.  “According to current rumour [concludes Gort Roelants’s story] the ducal council would gladly have accepted a notable sum in lieu of the service of towns and of the fiefholders, but the States made no such offer.”