[Footnote 370: Renard to the Emperor: _Granvelle
Papers_, vol. iv. p. 321.]

Worse clouds than these nevertheless had many times gathered over the
court and dispersed again. It was easy to be discontented; but when
the discontent would pass into action, there was nothing definite to
be done; and between the leading statesmen there were such large
differences of opinion, that they could not co-operate.[371] The
court, as Renard saw, could accomplish everything which they desired
with caution and prudence. The humours of the people might flame out
on a sudden if too hastily irritated, but the opposite tendencies of
parties effectually balanced each other; and even the papal difficulty
might be managed, and Pole might in time be brought over, if only
there was no precipitation, and the pope was compelled to be
reasonable.

[Footnote 371: Entre les seigneurs et gens de la
noblesse et de credit et administration, il y a
telle partialite que l'un ne se fie de
l'autre.--Ibid.]

But prudence was the first and last essential; the legate must be
content to wait, and also Philip must wait. The winter was coming on,
and the court, Renard said, was giving balls; the English and Spanish
noblemen were learning to talk with one another, and were beginning to
dance with each other's wives and daughters. The ill-feeling was
gradually abating; and, in fact, it was not to be believed that God
Almighty would have brought about so considerable a marriage without
intending that good should come of it.[372] The queen believed herself
_enceinte_, and if her hopes were well founded, a thousand causes of
restlessness would be disposed of; but Philip must not be permitted to
harass her with his impatience to be gone. She had gathered something
of his intentions, and was already pretending more uncertainty than in
her heart she felt, lest he {p.157} should make the assurance of her
prospects an excuse for leaving her. In a remarkable passage, Renard
urged the emperor on no account to encourage him in a step so
eminently injudicious, from a problematic hope of embroiling England
and France. "Let parliament meet," he said, "and pass off quietly, and
in February his highness may safely go. Irreparable injury may and
will follow, however, should he leave England before. Religion will be
overthrown, the queen's person will be in danger, and parliamen