d the
want of dignity in Lewis who, rather than run the hazard of a battle,
agreed to subject his kingdom to a tribute, and thus acknowledge
the superiority of a neighboring prince possessed of less power and
territory than himself. But as Lewis made interest the sole test of
honor, he thought that all the advantages of the treaty were on his
side, and that he had overreached Edward, by sending him out of France
on such easy terms. For this reason he was very solicitous to conceal
his triumph; and he strictly enjoined his courtiers never to show the
English the least sign of mockery or derision. But he did not himself
very carefully observe so prudent a rule: he could not forbear, one
day, in the joy of his heart, throwing out some raillery on the easy
simplicity of Edward and his council; when he perceived that he was
overheard by a Gascon, who had settled in England. He was immediately
sensible of his indiscretion; sent a message to the gentleman; and
offered him some advantages in his own country, as engaged him to remain
in France. "It is but just," said he, "that I pay the penalty of my
talkativeness."[*]

* Comines, liv. iii. chap. 10.

The most honorable part of Lewis's treaty with Edward was the
stipulation for the liberty of Queen Margaret, who, though after the
death of her husband and son she could no longer be formidable to
government, was still detained in custody by Edward. Lewis paid fifty
thousand crowns for her ransom; and that princess, who had been so
active on the stage of the world, and who had experienced such a variety
of fortune, passed the remainder of her days in tranquility and privacy,
till the year 1482, when she died; an admirable princess, but more
illustrious by her undaunted spirit in adversity, than by her moderation
in prosperity. She seems neither to have enjoyed the virtues, nor been
subject to the weaknesses, of her sex; and was as much tainted with the
ferocity as endowed with the courage of that barbarous age in which she
lived.

Though Edward had so little reason to be satisfied with the conduct of
the duke of Burgundy, he reserved to that prince a power of acceding
to the treaty of Pecquigni: but Charles, when the offer was made him,
haughtily replied, that he was able to support himself without the
assistance of England, and that he would make no peace with Lewis till
three months after Edward's return into his own country. This prince
possessed all the ambition and co