repression of Protestants. The sum was much less than Charles
demanded, for the object of the French king was not to strengthen, but
to weaken him. The second point in the Treaty was that England engaged
to support France in any claims she might have upon Spain. Lastly,
England was to help her ally against Holland, in return for further
payments and the annexation of Walcheren. But it was agreed to
postpone the Dutch war until the year 1672. That is the solid
substance of the phantom which is called the Popish Plot.

It was, in reality, a plot, under cover of Catholicism, to introduce
absolute monarchy, and to make England a dependency of France, not
only by the acceptance of French money, but by submission to a French
army. Charles I and his ministers had gone to the block for less than
this.

If the thing should become known, nobody could foretell the
consequences. Turenne was told, because he would be wanted if it came
to blows; and Turenne told a lady of his acquaintance, who proved
indiscreet. The king, in a fury, asked him how he could be such a
fool. The marshal, not unaccustomed to the experience of being under
fire, replied that he was not the only man who had been made a fool of
by a woman, and King Lewis XIV did not see his way to pursue the
conversation. His political object was secured, even if nothing
should be done in England to fulfil the agreement. He had Charles
completely in his power. The secret text only needed to be divulged,
in order to raise the country against him. He never again could be
formidable. If all other devices for dividing him from his people
were insufficient, this one could not fail. Many years later Lewis
caused a book to be printed, by an Italian adventurer, in which the
secret was revealed. The book was suppressed and the author