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command my Chancellor to search its records, and as he shall report and counsel, I will do.”

Finding Edward resolved to give no further answer at present, Philip was fain content himself with accepting such homage as he chose to pay, that is, with a homage conceived in general terms, and stating that he, as Duke of Acquitaine, &c.-did such act of vassalage for Guienne and his other possessions in France, as his ancestors were accustomed to perform. This business being transacted, he took leave of his host, promising speedily to return, and give an account of what he might learn from the archives.

In addition to the reasons which the Kings of France had always had, to oblige our Monarchs to this act of homage, Philip had one peculiar to himself and his present

vassal.

The claim which Edward, at Philip's coronation, set up to the throne of France, had sadly alarmed the last named Prince, and though the English Monarch had never since publicly asserted his pretensions, Philip

well knew that he bore heavily at heart the injustice-so he termed it-done by the Court of Peers in depriving him of an imaginary heritage. He also knew, that though Edward refrained from making any official reclaimation, he still talked with those, who composed his court, of the wrong which had been put on him, and seemed only to wait till the affairs of his kingdom being in better order, he should be enabled to renew his claims.

Now, Philip was aware that if he could but oblige Edward to swear liege fealty, he would, by that very act, confess his former pretensions to have been groundless, and could never afterwards expect to receive any support from such of the French as had before been willing to give it.

It may, therefore, be imagined with what angry grief it was he failed in accomplishing an object of such vital import. In truth, the two Monarchs parted on very ill terms,-each thinking, or pretending to think, himself injured.-Philip, however, was forced to satisfy himself, for the present, with Edward's catch

ing at the hint, which-injudiciously enough, and without reflection-the former had flung

out.

Having returned to Paris, he waited some months in expectation of receiving an answer, stating the nature of the homage he was willing to perform; but at the end of that time, hearing no further mention of the matter, he again despatched Ambassadors to England, who were commissioned, themselves to consult the archives and to receive Edward's oath.

It happened unfortunately for Edward, that, at the time the Ambassadors were in England, a disturbance broke out in Guienne, and that the English there armed themselves and entered on the French territories. Hearing of this, Philip sent the Duke D'Alençon with an army to besiege the fortress of Xaintes, which, with some difficulty having taken, he rased to the ground.

Perceiving by this that his cousin was in no humour to pay compliments, and fearing that should he longer persist in refusing what was required of him he ran much risk of altogether

losing the Dutchy of Guienne, Edward promised he would shortly return to France for the purpose of swearing LIEGE homage, and for the time being, ordered his Chancellor to prepare an act by which he acknowledged himself liege vassal to Philip. With this the Ambassadors, well pleased at receiving it, returned to France.

CHAPTER XI.

SAVE you, Inez," said the Count of Flanders, as he entered the private apartment which Philip had lately had fitted up for her reception at one of the extremities of the palace; "I am just arrived in Paris and have come to make my baisemains to thee, and ask how thou likest the habitation which the King hath ordered thee.-Faith! thou oughtest, methinks, to like it passing well," he continued, looking around him," there is no lack of splendor here!-A bed hung with silk-couches covered with velvet-stools of heben,—Why! Inez, the highest dames are scarcely furnished in this sort.-Yet, Inez," he continued, turning his eyes enquiringly

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