ed abroad, she thought at that time of the
emperor; if she accepted one of her subjects, {p.054} she
doubted--in her dislike of Courtenay--whether Pole might not return in
a less odious capacity than that of Apostolic Legate; as the queen's
intended husband the country might receive him; he had not yet been
ordained priest, and deacon's orders, on a sufficient occasion, could
perhaps be dispensed with.[119] The visit, or visits, were concealed
even from Renard. Commendone was forbidden, under the strictest
injunctions, to reveal what the queen might say to him, except to the
pope or to Pole; and it is the more likely that she was serious in her
expressions about the latter, from the care with which she left Renard
in ignorance of Commendone's presence.

[Footnote 117: He remained fifteen days, and he
left for Rome the day after the execution of
Northumberland.--Pallavicino.]

[Footnote 118: Caelitum ductu.]

[Footnote 119: "Nec destiterat regina id ipsum
Commendono indicare, eum percontata an existimaret
Pontificem ad id legem Polo relaxaturum, cum is
nondum sacerdos sed diaconus esset, extarentque
hujusmodi relaxionum exempla ingentis alicujus
emolumenti gratia."--Pallavicino.]

The papal messenger remained long enough to witness a rapid change in
her position; he saw the restoration of the mass; he was in London at
the execution, and he learnt the apostasy, of Northumberland; and he
carried letters from Mary to the pope with assurances of fidelity, and
entreaties for the absolution of the kingdom. But Mary was obliged to
say, notwithstanding, that for the present she was in the power of the
people, of whom the majority mortally detested the Holy See; that the
lords of the council were in possession of vast estates which had been
alienated from the church, and they feared their titles might be
called in question;[120] and, although she agreed herself in all which
Pole had urged (she had received his letter before Commendone left
England), yet that, nevertheless, necessity acknowledged no law. Her
heretical sister was in every one's mouth, and might at any moment
take her place on the throne, and for the present, she said, to her
deep regret, she could not, with prudence or safety, allow the legate
to come to her.