ir
exploits in war, and their pageantries in peace, alone had meaning or
interest; and the backstairs secrets of Vatican diplomacy, the questionings
of opinion, and all the brood of mental sicknesses then beginning to
distract the world, were but impertinent interferences with the true
business of existence. But the healthy objectiveness of an old English
chronicler is no longer possible for us; we may envy where we cannot
imitate; and our business is with such features of the story as are of
moment to ourselves.

The political questions which were to be debated at the conference, were
three; the Turkish Invasion, the General Council, and King Henry's divorce.

On the first, it was decided that there was no immediate occasion for
France and England to move. Solyman's retreat from Vienna had relieved
Europe from present peril; and the enormous losses which he had suffered,
might prevent him from repeating the experiment. If the danger became again
imminent, however, the two kings agreed to take the field in person the
following year at the head of eighty thousand men.

On the second point they came to no conclusion, but resolved only to act in
common.

On the third and most important, they parted with a belief that they
understood each other; but their memories, or the memory of one of them,
proved subsequently treacherous; and we can only extract what passed
between them out of their mutual recriminations.

It was determined certainly that at the earliest convenient moment, a
meeting should take place between the pope and Francis; and that at this
meeting Francis should urge in person concession to Henry's demands. If the
pope professed himself unable to risk the displeasure of the emperor, it
should be suggested that he might return to Avignon, where he would be
secure under the protection of France and England. If he was still
reluctant, and persisted in asserting his right to compel Henry to plead
before him at Rome, or if he followed up his citations by inhibitions,
suspensions, excommunications, or other form of censure, Francis declared
that he would support Henry to the last, whether against the pope himself
or against any prince or potentate who might attempt to enforce the
sentence. On this point the promises of the King of France were most
profuse and decided; and although it was not expressly stated in words,
Henry seems to have persuaded himself that, if the pope pressed matters to
extremities, Francis