'Since these things took place, the lord de Quievrain, nephew to the lord de Croy, has quitted this town, which has much displeased our said lord and father, and greatly angered him against us; but by the good pleasure of God, and the prudent remonstrances of his good and loyal counsellors, we hope that his anger will soon be appeased. 'Of all these matters, very dear and well beloved, we inform you by these presents, as our true and loyal friends, to whom we wish to lay open the secrets of our heart; and that you may be truly informed how things have happened, most earnestly requesting of you that you do not afford any assistance to, or receive, the said lord de Croy, his family or friends, but treat them as the enemies of our said lord and father and of ourself. We beg that you will not give ear to reports or letters that may be made or delivered contrary to the above statement, for we are most desirous of serving, honouring, and obeying, with our whole heart, our said lord and father, in every possible way, as we are bounden to do, and as we have hitherto done,--nor shall he ever have, if it so please God, any cause of reasonable complaint against us. Therefore, without the smallest attempt against his person, or to encroach on his government, we shall employ our whole life, honour, and fortune, for his safety, security, and prosperity, and for the welfare of his country and subjects, against all who shall, at any time, presume to molest, or any way aggrieve, him or them. We therefore entreat and request you most cordially to join in aiding and supporting us in these measures, should there be occasion, for we have the fullest confidence in you. Very dear and well beloved, may the Holy Spirit have you in his good keeping. 'Written at Brussels the 22d day of March, in the year 1464,' and signed 'Charolois.' 'The superscription on these letters was, 'By order of the count de Charolois, lord of Château Belin and of Bethune.' CHAP. XXXIV. THE DUKE OF BERRY, ONLY BROTHER TO THE KING OF FRANCE, WITHDRAWS HIMSELF FROM THE COURT OF FRANCE, AND TAKES REFUGE WITH THE DUKE OF BRITTANY.--THE COUNT DE DAMMARTIN ESCAPES FROM PRISON.--LETTERS FROM THE DUKE OF BERRY TO THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY. In the beginning of March, in the year 1464, Charles duke of Berry, only brother to the king, and about twenty-eight years old, whom the king kept near his person in a simpler estate than he wished, and much inferior to what he had enjoyed during the life of their father, pretended one day to go to hunt, while his brother was absent on a pilgrimage near Poitiers: instead of which, the duke rose very early in the morning, and, attended by only nine or ten persons, set out with all possible speed to seek an asylum with the duke of Brittany. They broke down all the bridges they crossed, that, if they should be pursued, they might not be overtaken.