The people will crawl before you if you kick them, but let them see that you fear them, and you will learn that there is no cruelty like that of the good people." De Grammont, the French exile, called attention to the French king's successful tyranny, declaring that his master would sell Paris if he chose.

De Grammont was acting secretly in the French king's interest.
A weak man easily finds logic to justify the course he desires to take, so Charles turned a deaf ear to Clarendon, and, listening to Castlemain, announced that Dunkirk was for sale.

As expected, a strong protest came from the people, but no one is so stubborn as a fool in the wrong, so Charles remained firm in his determination.
Finding that protest would avail nothing, the people of London offered to buy Dunkirk, and began to bid for it against the French king.

Louis, knowing that London was a rich city, and believing that its people would run up the price of Dunkirk to an exorbitant figure, took counsel with himself--his only adviser--and determined to employ other means than gold alone to obtain the coveted city.
My first definite knowledge of the French king's new plan to buy Dunkirk at his own price came in a letter from Hamilton, which reached me at Lilly's house two or three weeks after my return from Dover.

Like the others, it was written in cipher, but, translated, was as follows:-- DEAR FRIEND: "Your warning letter reached me nearly a week ago, and I thank you for your watchfulness.