It was at this period that the memorable interview between the two ecclesiastics, the Bishop of Arras and the Cardinal de Lorraine, took place at Peronne.  From this central point commenced the weaving of that wide-spread scheme, in which the fate of millions was to be involved.  The Duchess Christina de Lorraine, cousin of Philip, had accompanied him to Saint Quentin.  Permission had been obtained by the Duc de Guise and his brother, the Cardinal, to visit her at Peronne.  The Duchess was accompanied by the Bishop of Arras, and the consequence was a full and secret negotiation between the two priests.  It may be supposed that Philip’s short-lived military ardor had already exhausted itself.  He had mistaken his vocation, and already recognized the false position in which he was placed.  He was contending against the monarch in whom he might find the surest ally against the arch enemy of both kingdoms, and of the world.  The French monarch held heresy in horror, while, for himself, Philip had already decided upon his life’s mission.

The crafty Bishop was more than a match for the vain and ambitious Cardinal.  That prelate was assured that Philip considered the captivity of Coligny and Montmorency a special dispensation of Providence, while the tutelar genius of France, notwithstanding the reverses sustained by that kingdom, was still preserved.  The Cardinal and his brother, it was suggested, now held in their hands the destiny of the kingdom, and of Europe.  The interests of both nations, of religion, and of humanity, made it imperative upon them to put an end to this unnatural war, in order that the two monarchs might unite hand and heart for the extirpation of heresy.  That hydra-headed monster had already extended its coils through France, while its pestilential breath was now wafted into Flanders from the German as well as the French border.  Philip placed full reliance upon the wisdom and discretion of the Cardinal.  It was necessary that these negotiations should for the present remain a profound secret; but in the mean time a peace ought to be concluded with as little delay as possible; a result which, it was affirmed, was as heartily desired by Philip as it could be by Henry.  The Bishop was soon aware of the impression which his artful suggestions had produced.  The Cardinal, inspired by the flattery thus freely administered, as well as by the promptings of his own ambition, lent a willing ear to the Bishop’s plans.  Thus was laid the foundation of a vast scheme, which time was to complete.  A crusade with the whole strength of the French and Spanish crowns, was resolved upon against their own subjects.  The Bishop’s task was accomplished.  The Cardinal returned to France, determined to effect a peace with Spain.  He was convinced that the glory of his house was to be infinitely enhanced, and its power impregnably established, by a cordial co-operation with Philip in his dark schemes against religion and humanity.  The negotiations were kept, however, profoundly secret.  A new campaign and fresh humiliations were to precede the acceptance by France of the peace which was thus proffered.