The young Commines is surprised that Paris and her environs were rich enough to feed so many men.  Gradually the aspect of affairs changed.  Negotiating back and forth became more frequent.  The disintegration of the allies became more and more evident.  Louis XI. bided his time and then took the extraordinary resolution to go in person to the camp at Charenton to visit his cousin of Burgundy.  With a very few attendants, practically unguarded, he went down the Seine.  His coming had been heralded and the Count of Charolais stood ready to receive him, with the Count of St. Pol at his side.  “Brother, do you pledge me safety?” (for the count’s first wife was sister of Louis) to which the count responded:  “Yes, as one brother to another."[13]

Nothing could have been more genial than was the king.  He assured Charles that he loved a man who kept his word beyond anything.

Veracity was his passion.  Charles had kept the promise he had sent by the archbishop of Narbonne, and now he knew in very truth that he was a gentleman and true to the blood of France.  Further, he disavowed the insolence of his chancellor towards Charles, and repeated that his cousin had been justified in resenting it.  “You have kept your promise and that long before the day."[14]

Then in a friendly promenade, Louis gave an opportunity to Charles and St. Pol to state, informally, the terms on which they would withdraw from their hostile footing, and count the weal restored to the oppressed public whose sorrows had moved them to a confederation.

Distasteful as was every item to Louis, he accepted the requisition of those who felt that they were in a position to dictate, and after a little more parleying at later dates, the treaty of Conflans was duly arranged.  It was none too soon for the allies.  They could hardly have held together many days longer in the midst of the jealousies rife in their camps.

The king paused at nothing.  To his brother he gave Normandy, to Charles of Burgundy the towns on the Somme with guarantee of possession for his lifetime, while the Count of St. Pol was made Constable of France.

[Illustration:  LOUIS XI.  WITH THE PRINCES AND SEIGNEURS OF THE WAR OF PUBLIC WEAL TAKEN FROM CONTEMPORANEOUS MINIATURE IN ABBEY OF ST. GERMAIN DES PRES (COMINES-LENGLET, II., FRONTISPIECE)]

Boulogne and Guienne, too, were ceded to Charles, lesser places and pensions to the other confederates.  The contest ended with complete victory for the allies who were left with the proud consciousness that they had set a definite limit to royal pretensions, at least, on paper.