RESTORATION OF ISAAC. 321 speak to him in private on behalf of his son and the leaders of the army. Accordingly the emperor, his wife, tlie chancellor, and the interpreter, with the four messengers, passed into a private room. It had previously been arranged that Yillehar- douin should speak on behalf of the messengers, and he gives us the substance of what he said. He called attention to the service which the army and the Crusaders had rendered to the emperor's son, and to the fact that they had kept their part of the bargain. As to his son, he would not be allowed to enter the city until he had given security for the execution of the ob- ligations he had undertaken. Young Alexis now asked through them that Isaac should confirm the contract which the youth bad made, both as to substance and manner of execution. " What is the contract ?" said the emperor. " I will tell you," said Yillehardouin. ^' First and foremost, there is the promise to put the Empire of Eomania under obedience to the pope ; af- terwards to give 200,000 silver marks to the army, and provi- sions for a year to small and great; to transport 10,000 infan- try and cavalry in the proportion that we shall designate in his vessels, and at his expense, into Egypt, and to keep them there for a year; and to maintain in the Holy Land, and at his expense, during his life, 500 knights to protect it. This is the contract which your son has made. He has confirmed it on oath by charters with pendent seals, and by the guaran- tee of King Philip of Germany, your son-in-law; we now ask Contract of J^u to Confirm it." " Of a surety," replied the em- firmed by ' peror, " the convention is very hard, and I don't see Isaac. jjQ^ j(. ean be carried out; bat still, you have done so much for him and me, that if one gave you the whole of the empire you would have deserved it." The result of the interview was that the father confirmed his son's agreement by oath, and by letters-patent with the gold seal or imperial bull. The messengers returned to the camp bearing the pre- cious document. Probably the same day young Alexis was conducted by the chief barons into the presence of his father. The Greeks received him and his friends with great feastino- and rejoicing, and with every mark of respect. The revolution had been accomplished rapidlv. Alexis the 21
