On his return he found before the gate some burgesses waiting for news.
[Illustration: Louis XI.

and Burgesses waiting for News----193] "Well, my friends," said he, "the Burgundians will not give you so much trouble any more as they have given you in the past." "That is all very well, sir," replied an attorney of the Chatelet, "but meanwhile they eat our grapes and gather our vintage without any hinderance." "Still," said the king, "that is better than if they were to come and drink your wine in your cellars." The month of September passed thus in parleys without result.

Bad news came from Rouen; the League had a party in that city.
Louis felt that the Count of Charolais was the real head of the opposition, and the only one with whom anything definite could he arrived at.

He resolved to make a direct attempt upon him; for he had confidence in the influence he could obtain over people when he chatted and treated in person with them.

One day he got aboard of a little boat with five of his officers, and went over to the left bank of the Seine.