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 fitting opportunity to inflict the disgrace on which he
was resolved. Meantime, Charles Mansfeld made a feeble attempt to lead
an army from the Netherlands into France, to support the sinking fortunes
of the League; but it was not for that general-of-artillery to attempt
the well-graced part of the all-accomplished Farnese with much hope of
success. A considerable force of Spanish infantry, too, had been sent to