If Henry had been faithless enough to break his engagements with Charles for his separate advantage, he had now an excellent opportunity. M. Dorthe was instructed by his Government to comply almost unreservedly with the peculiar demands of England, if England would allow the French Government to remain obstinate towards the Empire. The arrears of debt should be paid, and even the interest on them. The pensions should be continued and secured, or redeemed for an abundant equivalent. Scotland should be no longer encouraged in resistance.[1] Even the enlargement of the Calais frontier was not absolutely refused; and an interview between the Kings was suggested, when they might settle their differences in person.[2] The overtures were tempting. To have accepted them would have been infamous, but it would have been convenient; and their rejection, which, at the moment, was a matter of course, appeared like a virtue in another year, and in contrast with the conduct, under similar circumstances, of another sovereign. M. Dorthe, at all events, was unsuccessful. His brief residence was immediately terminated, and the settlement
- ↑ 'Quant a la guerre des Escossois le fera cesser.'—Dorthe to the Privy Council: State Papers, vol. ix. p. 392.
- ↑ 'Et quant a la ville d'Ardre, pour che que le roy mon maistre ne pense que le Roy d'Angleterre, son bon frere luy en vouloit aulcune chose demander, attendu la grande et parfaicte amytie qu'ils ont tousjours eu ensemble, et aussy que c'est son vray heritage; il me semble sy plaist audict Signeur Roy d'Angleterre, que celle soit remis sus la veuee et communication dentre leurs deulx, qu'ils en porront mieulx accorder par ensemble que par mila autres.'—Ibid.
