[I pass over, as beneath the level of history, a great variety of censorious and probably calumnious reports as to the private character of Farnese, with which the secret archives of the times are filled.  Especially Champagny, the man by whom the duke was most hated and feared, made himself busy in compiling the slanderous chronicle in which the enemies of Farnese, both in Spain and the Netherlands, took so much delight.  According to the secret history thus prepared for the enlightenment of the king and his ministers, the whole administration of the Netherlands—­especially the financial department, with the distribution of offices—­was in the hands of two favourites, a beardless secretary named Cosmo e Massi, and a lady of easy virtue called Franceline, who seems to have had a numerous host of relatives and friends to provide for at the public expense.  Towards the latter end of the duke’s life, it was even said that the seal of the finance department was in the hands of his valet-de-chambre, who, in his master’s frequent absences, was in the habit of issuing drafts upon the receiver-general.  As the valet- dechambre was described as an idiot who did not know how to read, it may be believed that the finances fell into confusion.  Certainly, if such statements were to be accepted, it would be natural enough that for every million dollars expended by the king in the provinces, not more than one hundred thousand were laid out for the public service; and this is the estimate made by Champagny, who, as a distinguished financier and once chief of the treasury in the provinces, might certainly be thought to know something of the subject.  But Champagny was beside himself with rage, hatred.]

CHAPTER XXIX.

Effect of the death of Farnese upon Philip’s schemes—­Priestly flattery and counsel—­Assembly of the States-General of France—­ Meeting of the Leaguers at the Louvre—­Conference at Surene between the chiefs of the League and the “political” leaders—­Henry convokes an assembly of bishops, theologians, and others—­Strong feeling on all sides on the subject of the succession—­Philip commands that the Infanta and the Duke of Guise be elected King and Queen of France—­ Manifesto of the Duke of Mayenne—­Formal re-admission of Henry to the Roman faith—­The pope refuses to consent to his reconciliation with the Church—­His consecration with the sacred oil—­Entry of the king into Paris—­Departure of the Spanish garrison from the capital —­Dissimulation of the Duke of Mayenne—­He makes terms with Henry—­ Grief of Queen Elizabeth on receipt of the communications from France.

During the past quarter of a century there had been tragic scenes enough in France, but now the only man who could have conducted Philip’s schemes to a tragic if not a successful issue was gone.  Friendly death had been swifter than Philip, and had removed Alexander from the scene before his master had found