The skilful agent of this treaty was entrusted with a new mission about the month of July or August, 1471. We are not acquainted with the object he had in view, but it is certain that he had an interview with Louis XI., by permission of the Duke of Burgundy. It was a very great mistake on the part of the duke to have allowed this; for, as Molinet says, the king’s speech “was so gentle and virtuous, that, like the voice of the siren, it lulled to sleep all who listened.” To this remarkable suavity of language Louis XI. added, according to the testimony of Commines himself, another no less powerful means of attraction; of all contemporary princes, he was the one “who most laboured to gain any man who was able to serve or injure him. And he was never diverted from his purpose by being once refused by any man whom he was endeavouring to gain; but steadfastly continued making him large promises, and actually giving him money and estates which he knew would please him.” Commines, who was moreover allured by many great and truly royal qualities of Louis XI., allowed himself to be seduced, as many others had been, by promises and gifts. For we do not hesitate to believe that it was during this journey into France, that he deposited in the hands of Jean de Beaune, a merchant of Tours, a sum of 6000 livres tournois, to which we shall presently have occasion to refer again, and which he had probably received from the king. The interested liberality of the monarch required some return, and Commines, in exchange for the favours he accepted, doubtless had to contract one of those engagements which are seldom evidenced by written agreements, but proved only by subsequent facts. What was the nature of this convention? We cannot say with certainty, but it appears extremely probable that the conditions of the treaty were these: Louis XI. assured to Commines, if he would consent to leave Charles the Bold and enter his service, the same position of councillor and chamberlain at the Court of France that he had held at the Court of Burgundy, together with numerous estates and lordships, offices and dignities of great value, and an annual pension of 6000 livres tournois. He further engaged to give him in marriage one of the rich heiresses of the kingdom. Of a truth there was in these offers enough to dazzle a young and ambitious man; the siren had lulled many consciences to sleep at less cost.