and the favorite both disapproved of the war, and encouraged, with all their influence, the pacific inclinations of the monarch.  The doctors were, to be sure, of opinion that Philip, having acted in Italy only in self-defence, and for the protection of his states, ought not to be anxious as to his continued right to the title on which he valued himself so highly.  Nevertheless, such ponderings and misgivings could not but have the effect of hampering the actions of Alva.  That general chafed inwardly at what he considered his own contemptible position.  At the same time, he enraged the Duke of Guise still more deeply by the forced calmness of his proceedings.  Fortresses were reduced, towns taken, one after another, with the most provoking deliberation, while his distracted adversary in vain strove to defy, or to delude him, into trying the chances of a stricken field.  The battle of Saint Quentin, the narrative of which belongs to our subject, and will soon occupy our attention, at last decided the Italian operations.  Egmont’s brilliant triumph in Picardy rendered a victory in Italy superfluous, and placed in Alva’s hand the power of commanding the issue of his own campaign.  The Duke of Guise was recalled to defend the French frontier, which the bravery of the Flemish hero had imperilled, and the Pope was left to make the best peace which he could.  All was now prosperous and smiling, and the campaign closed with a highly original and entertaining exhibition.  The pontiff’s puerile ambition, sustained by the intrigues of his nephew, had involved the French monarch in a war which was contrary to his interests and inclination.  Paul now found his ally too sorely beset to afford him that protection upon which he had relied, when he commenced, in his dotage, his career as a warrior.  He was, therefore, only desirous of deserting his friend, and of relieving himself from his uncomfortable predicament, by making a treaty with his catholic majesty upon the best terms which he could obtain.  The King of France, who had gone to war only for the sake of his holiness, was to be left to fight his own battles, while the Pope was to make his peace with all the world.  The result was a desirable one for Philip.  Alva was accordingly instructed to afford the holy father a decorous and appropriate opportunity for carrying out his wishes.  The victorious general was apprized that his master desired no fruit from his commanding attitude in Italy and the victory of Saint Quentin, save a full pardon from the Pope for maintaining even a defensive war against him.  An amicable siege of Rome was accordingly commenced, in the course of which an assault or “camiciata” on the holy city, was arranged for the night of the 26th August, 1557.  The pontiff agreed to be taken by surprise—­while Alva, through what was to appear only a superabundance of his habitual discretion, was to draw off his troops at the very moment when the victorious assault was to be made.  The imminent