Those who disbelieve in the influence of the individual on the fate of mankind may ponder the possible results to history and humanity, had the dagger of Jacques Clement entered the stomach of Henry IV. rather than of Henry III. in the summer of 1589, or the perturbations in the world’s movements that might have puzzled philosophers had there been an unsuspected mass of religious conviction revolving unseen in the mental depths of the Bearnese.  Conscience, as it has from time to time exhibited itself on this planet of ours, is a powerful agent in controlling political combinations; but the instances are unfortunately not rare, so far as sublunary progress is concerned, in which the absence of this dominant influence permits a prosperous rapidity to individual careers.  Eternal honour to the noble beings, true chieftains among men, who have forfeited worldly power or sacrificed life itself at the dictate of religious or moral conviction—­even should the basis of such conviction appear to some of us unsafe or unreal.  Shame on the tongue which would malign or ridicule the martyr or the honest convert to any form of Christian faith!  But who can discover aught that is inspiring to the sons of men in conversions—­whether of princes or of peasants—­ wrought, not at risk of life and pelf, but for the sake of securing and increasing the one and the other?

Certainly the Bearnese was the most candid of men.  It was this very candour, this freedom from bigotry, this want of conviction, and this openness to conviction, that made him so dangerous and caused so much anxiety to Philip.  The Roman Church might or might not be strengthened by the re-conversion of the legitimate heir of France, but it was certain that the claims of Philip and the Infanta to the proprietorship of that kingdom would be weakened by the process.  While the Spanish king knew himself to be inspired in all his actions by a single motive, the maintenance of the supremacy of the Roman Church, he was perfectly aware that the Prince of Bearne was not so single-hearted nor so conscientious as himself.

The Prince of Bearne—­heretic, son of heretics, great chieftain of heretics—­was supposed capable of becoming orthodox whenever the Pope would accept his conversion.  Against this possibility Philip struggled with all his strength.

Since Pope Sixtus V., who had a weakness for Henry, there had been several popes.  Urban VII., his immediate successor, had reigned but thirteen days.  Gregory XIV. (Sfondrato) had died 15th October, 1591, ten months after his election.  Fachinetti, with the title of Innocent IX., had reigned two months, from 29th October to 29th December, 1591.  He died of “Spanish poison,” said Envoy Umton, as coolly as if speaking of gout, or typhus, or any other recognised disorder.  Clement VIII.  (Aldobrandini) was elected 30th January, 1592.  He was no lover of Henry, and lived in mortal fear of Philip, while it must be conceded that the Spanish