freely into Amiens, where Lewis resided, but had also their charges
defrayed, and had wine and victuals furnished them in every inn, without
any payment being demanded. They flocked thither in such multitude that
once above nine thousand of them were in the town, and they might have
made themselves masters of the king's person; but Lewis, concluding
from their jovial and dissolute manner of living, that they had no
bad intentions, was careful not to betray the least sign of fear or
jealousy. And when Edward, informed of this disorder, desired him to
shut the gates against them, he replied, that he would never agree to
exclude the English from the place where he resided; but that Edward, if
he pleased, might recall them, and place his own officers at the gates
of Amiens to prevent their returning.[*]

Lewis's desire of confirming a mutual amity with England, engaged him
even to make imprudent advances, which it cost him afterwards some pains
to evade. In the conference at Pecquigni he had said to Edward, that he
wished to have a visit from him at Paris; that he would there endeavor
to amuse him with the ladies; and that, in case any offences were then
committed, he would assign him the cardinal of Bourbon for confessor,
who, from fellow-feeling, would not be over and above severe in the
penances which he would enjoin. This hint made deeper impression than
Lewis intended. Lord Howard, who accompanied him back to Amiens,
told him in confidence that, if he were so disposed it would not be
impossible to persuade Edward to take a journey with him to Paris, where
they might make merry together. Lewis pretended at first not to hear the
offer; but on Howard's repeating it, he expressed his concern that his
wars with the duke of Burgundy would not permit him to attend his royal
guest, and do him the honors he intended "Edward," said he privately
to Comines, "is a very handsome and a very amorous prince: some lady
at Paris may like him as well as he shall do her; and may invite him to
return in another manner. It is better that the sea be between us."[**]

* Comines, liv. iv. chap. 9. Hall, fol. 233.

** Comines, liv. iv. chap. 10. Habington, p. 469.

This treaty did very little honor to either of these monarchs: it
discovered the imprudence of Edward, who had taken his measures so ill
with his allies, as to be obliged, after such an expensive armament,
to return without making any acquisitions adequate to it: it showe