he understood the delay and would not disturb his business for the world.  “I have leisure enough to wait and it does not weary me.  I am safe in a pleasant land and in a fine town which I have long wished to see.”  He showed his courtesy when the Count d’Etampes, Philip’s nephew-in-law, presented his suite, by pronouncing each individual name and assuring its bearer that he had heard about him.[18]

The count was commissioned to conduct the dauphin to Brussels and we have the story of an eye-witness of his reception by the ladies of the ducal family: 

“I saw the King of France, father of the present King Charles, chased away by his father Charles for some difference of which they say that the fair Agnes was the cause, and on account of which he took refuge with Duke Philip, for he had no means of subsistence.[19]

“The said King Louis, being dauphin, came to Brussels accompanied by about ten cavaliers and by the Marshal of Burgundy.  At this time Duke Philip was at Utrecht in war and there was no one to receive the visitor but Madame the Duchess Isabella and Madame de Charolais, her daughter-in-law, pregnant with Madame Mary of Burgundy, since then Duchess of Austria.

“Monsieur the dauphin arrived at Brussels, where were the ladies, at eight o’clock in the evening, about St. Martin’s Day.[20] When the ladies heard that he was in the city they hastened down to the courtyard to await him.  As soon as he saw them he dismounted and saluted Madame the Duchess and Mme. de Charolais and Mme. de Ravestein.  All kneeled and then he kissed the other ladies of the court.”

Alienor goes on to describe how a whole quarter of an hour was consumed by a friendly altercation between Isabella and her guest as to the exact way in which they should enter the door, the dauphin resolute in his refusal to take precedence and Isabella equally resolute not even to walk by the side of the future king.  “Monsieur, it seems to me you desire to make me a laughing stock, for you wish me to do what befits me not.”  To this the dauphin replied that it was incumbent upon him to pay honour for there was none in the realm of France so poor as he, and that he would not have known whither to flee if not to his uncle Philip and to her.

Louis prevailed in his argument, and hostess and guest finally proceeded hand in hand to the chamber prepared for the latter and Isabella then took leave on bended knee.

When the duke returned to Brussels this contention as to the proper etiquette was renewed.  Isabella tried to retain the dauphin in his own apartment so that the duke should greet him there as befitted their relative rank.  She was greatly chagrined, therefore, when Louis rushed down to the courtyard on hearing the signs of arrival.  This punctilious hostess actually held the prince back by his coat to prevent his advancing towards the duke.