lest England be driven to follow in the wake of Germany. A cardinal estranged the Germans from the Holy See. Let it not be said that another cardinal has caused another loss. Unless this marriage is annulled, the authority of Rome is

gone.

8. Campeggio waited on the King, and in a private audience lasting four hours, went over all the ground. At first, as he perceived, the King had entered on his 'secret matter' solely to protect his consort and secure his dynasty. No second loveaffair was in his thoughts. He wished to have the Julian breve confirmed, so that the law might be declared afresh. Leo had refused his confirmation of the breve; and Clement, even after Henry had exalted the pontifical office, had declined to seal a second breve. Then had come the change of front, when Wolsey, seeking an alliance with the court of Blois, had asked the pontiff to annul the marriage. Clement had done neither. Henry, as Campeggio saw, was fixed in purpose. He is a great theologian and a greater jurist,' said the Italian, and an angel from heaven would not be strong enough to argue him down. He tells me the divorce is an accomplished fact, as for the past two years he has been thoroughly separated from the Queen.'

9. Unable to move the King, Campeggio tried his wiles on Catharine. Would she go into a convent and become the spouse of Christ? The King agreed that Catharine should retire on any terms. She might retain her rank, her rents, her ornaments,

her pensions. In the absence of male heirs, her daughter should be declared the King's successor on the throne. The legates went to see her, and having read the Pope's letter, Campeggio, with the art of which he was a master, told her that the Pope, being bound to render justice to every one, had sent the Cardinal of York and himself to hear her case; but since the thing was high and difficult, his Holiness advised her, in his paternal office, out of his great affection for her, not to press for trial; but in her own prudence, and with his paternal blessing, to adopt some other course of settling the affair. He carefully refrained from mentioning a convent; yet she understood his meaning well. Both sides were thinking of some Abbey of St. Clare; but Catharine had no mind to enter a religious house. 'I know, most reverend lord,' she answered, 'the sincerity of my own heart. I wish to die in the Holy Faith, and in obedience to God and Holy Church; but I desire to state this business to his Holiness. I have heard you would persuade me to enter a religious house?' Campeggio told her that was true, and urged with all his eloquence, that such an act of self-denial would become her well. He quoted the example of Jeanne of France, who was alive in her retreat, honoured and respected by the world. 'By entering a religious house, your Majesty will satisfy God, preserve your conscience, and sustain the glory of your You will avoid public scandal, retain your dowry, and support your daughter's rights.' But

name.

Catharine would not listen to his voice. The news from Italy was high and stirring. Lautrec was

dead; the French were broken and dispersed. A victory as great as that of Pavia crowned the Emperor's arms. Charles was once more master of the Vatican; and Catharine, as Queen of England, not as sister of St. Clare, would submit her conscience to the Pope.

CHAPTER VIII.

APPEAL TO ENGLAND.

1528.

1. SEEING that Wolsey laid no stress on Henry's love, Campeggio paid no court to Anne Boleyn, and hardly took her into his account. A strange idea flashed into his mind. The question moving every one was that of the succession. England wished to have a king. Catharine had no son, and Charles insisted that his cousin Mary must be queen. Might not these claims be reconciled? The King was fond of Richmond, the handsome boy of nine, now living at Sheriff Hutton with his council, learning how to rule, if not to reign. The King had thought of declaring Richmond his successor on the throne. A bastard ruled the Vatican. If a natural son could be a pope, why not a king? Campeggio asked why Richmond should not wed his sister Mary, and enjoy the throne with her?

2. A dispensation for this marriage would be needed, but Campeggio knew the ways of Rome, and with a prudent handling of the matter, he believed a dispensation might be got. If Charles

approved the match, his trouble would be slight. Charles had no great reason to prefer one prince above another for his cousin's hand. To him, the only point of moment was that Mary should succeed her father on his throne. Quiñones had received a Cardinal's cap; and since the victories of Orange, he had only to express a wish in Rome to find himself obeyed. But neither Wolsey nor Campeggio understood the master passion that controlled events. Had nothing more been meant by Henry than a political union with Renée, the proposal might have taken Henry's fancy. He was fond of Mary, but

he was fonder still of Anne.

3. One morning, as Campeggio lay in bed, Wolsey came in with news that upset all his plans. Campeggio was beginning to hope that Catharine would retire. Knowing that Fisher enjoyed her confidence, he had seen this prelate. Fisher, he fancied, was content to let her do so, and Campeggio gave him orders how to act. But Wolsey now removed all doubt of Catharine's future course. Henry had asked his partner, what she wished? She spoke of proctors, advocates, and councillors. At first she wished to have imperialist proctors, advocates, and councillors; a claim that could not be allowed by law, since England was at war with Spain; and then she mentioned Warham, Fisher, Clerk, and Tunstall; three of whom were her devoted partizans. By naming Warham, she prevented his appearance on the other side. Henry added that the Queen