The Grand Duke of Berg saw the advantage which this dispute might give to Napoleon; and he begged the Emperor to come immediately to Madrid for the settlement of matters on which he alone could decide.

To this Napoleon replied (March 30th) commending his Lieutenant's prudence, and urging him to escort Charles IV.

to the Escurial as King, while Godoy was also to be protected and sent to Bayonne.
To this town the Emperor set out on April the 2nd, as though he would thence proceed to Madrid.

Ferdinand, meanwhile, was treated with guarded courtesy that kept alive his hope of an alliance with a French princess.

To favour this notion, Napoleon despatched the wariest of his agents, Savary, who artfully persuaded him to meet the Emperor at Burgos.