Matthioly and Charles IV., in fact, proceeded to Venice. They first discussed with the Abbé the price of the surrender, which was fixed at 100,000 crowns,[488] payable after the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty, and in two sums at three months’ interval. At midnight on March 13, 1678,[489] the Ambassador of the King of France and the Duke of Mantua met, as if by chance, in the middle of a public square on leaving a ball, and there, away from every inquisitive ear, and concealed from every glance by a mask similar to those then worn by all noblemen at Venice, conversed for quite an hour concerning the conditions of the treaty, the payments of the stipulated price, and the manner in which Louis XIV. should defend Charles IV. against the effects of the resentment of the Venetian Republic and the Spaniards. Distrustful as were the Italian princes, disposed as the Venetian Republic may have been to suspect an intrigue, and prevent so dangerous an intervention as that of the King of France in the north of Italy, numerous and accomplished as were the spies who swarmed in Venice, it was in this same city, almost under the very eyes of the representatives of the different powers, that the bases of a treaty which was one of the most menacing to the independence of the Peninsula, were settled, in a mysterious and impenetrable manner. With the same precautions, and always without attracting the attention of the other princes, Charles IV. saw the Abbé d’Estrades several times afterwards. It was arranged between them that Matthioly should proceed secretly to France, and that he should sign at Versailles, in the name of his master, the definitive treaty which would permit Louis XIV. to penetrate into the north of Italy. This journey of Matthioly’s was delayed for some months, first by a rather lengthened illness, which kept him at Mantua, then by Louis XIV.’s desire to defer till the following spring,--that is, till April, 1679,--the despatch of his troops to Casale.[490] At the end of October, 1678, Count Matthioly and Giuliani, in order to avert suspicion, announced their intention of paying a visit to Switzerland, and, in fact, proceeded thither, traversed it,[491] and arrived in Paris on November 28. At once placed in communication with M. de Pomponne, Minister of Exterior Relations, they discussed, and drew up in the most profound secrecy, the treaty of cession, which was signed on December 8,[492] and which stated:-- 1st. That the Duke of Mantua should receive French troops into Casale; 2nd. That he should be named Generalissimo of any French army which Louis XIV. might send into Italy; 3rd. And that after the execution of the treaty the sum of 100,000 crowns should be paid to the prince.[493]