Numerous propositions of a humiliating character were about to be made to him; he would have to accept them all, and that at once and unreservedly; otherwise all would be lost. The duke had dishonoured himself by breaking his plighted word; he was detaining his guest in captivity; and certain members of his council seemed to hope that he would venture still further. A happy inspiration of Commines saved France and her king, Burgundy and her duke, from the incalculable misfortunes which would have resulted from so fatal an event. He secretly informed Louis XI. of all that had been resolved upon regarding him, and of the risk he would incur by the slightest resistance to the demands of the duke. Two important results, equally desirable to every loyal servant of Charles the Bold, might be produced by this hazardous proceeding. It might compel the duke to respect the safe-conduct which he had given to Louis XI., and at the same time secure him as great, if not greater, advantages than those which he might hope to obtain by violating his promised word. The event proved that Commines had calculated rightly. Louis, it is well known, submitted, with the best grace in the world, to all that the gaoler chose to exact from his captive; so that the duke, who, on approaching him had used angry gestures and language, left him in high contentment. On leaving Peronne, in order to perform one of the conditions which had been imposed upon him, the king had to march with the Duke of Burgundy against the Liegeois. He had encouraged their rebellion, and he was obliged to suffer the disgrace of contributing to punish it. Commines accompanied the two princes on this expedition, and had his share in the imminent danger to which they were exposed. He was sleeping with three others in his master’s bed-chamber, when a band of Liegeois, favoured by the darkness, fell suddenly on the lodgings of Charles the Bold and Louis XI. This sortie was ably conducted, and nearly met with all the success which the besieged hoped for; the two princes, with their servants, narrowly escaped finding defeat and death where they had imagined their triumph would be certain and easy. It was most fortunate for the duke that he had not followed the advice of some of his councillors, who recommended him “to dismiss a part of his army, seeing that the city of Liege had had its gates and walls demolished during the previous years, and that it could hope for succour from no quarter.” The king, who had his reasons for it, was inclined to adopt this suggestion; but Commines and other prudent councilors remonstrated against so imprudent a step, and their advice was followed, less perhaps because of its wisdom than because the duke greatly suspected the king.