n, or, perhaps, even his
head." Catharine now insisted upon Alva's explaining himself and
disclosing his master's plan of action. This Alva declined to do. Although
Philip was as conversant with the state of France as she or any other
person in the kingdom, yet he preferred to leave to her to decide upon the
precise nature of the specific to be administered. Catharine pressed the
inquiry, but Alva continued to parry the question adroitly. He asks if,
since the Edict of Toleration, ground has been gained or lost. Decidedly
gained, she replies, and proceeds to particularize. But Alva is confident
that she is deceiving herself or him: it is notorious that things are
becoming worse every day.

"Would you have me understand," interrupts Catharine, "that we must resort
to arms again?"

"I see no present need of assuming them," answers Alva, "and my master
would not advise you to take them up, unless constrained by other
necessity than that which I now see."

"What, then, would Philip have me do?" asks Catharine. "Apply a prompt
remedy," answers Alva; "for sooner or later your enemies will, by their
own action, compel you to accept the wager of war, and that, probably,
under less favorable circumstances than at present. All Philip's thoughts
are intent upon the expulsion of that wretched sect of the Huguenots, and
upon restoring the subjects of the French crown to their ancient
obedience, and maintaining the queen mother's legitimate authority." "The
king, my son," responds Catharine, "publishes whatever edicts he pleases,
and is obeyed." "Then, if he enjoys such authority over his vassals,"
breaks in Isabella, "why does he not punish those who are rebels both
against God and against himself?"

That question Catharine did not choose to answer. Instead of it she had
some chimerical schemes to propose--a league between France, Spain, and
Germany, that should give the law to the world, and a confirmation of the
bonds that united the royal houses of France and Spain by two more
marriages, viz.: of Don Carlos to Margaret, her youngest daughter, and of
the Duke of Anjou to the Princess of Portugal. Alva, however, making light
of such projects, which could, according to his view, effect nothing more
than the bond already connecting the families, was not slow in bringing
the conversation back to the religious question. But he soon had reason to
complain of Catharine's coldness. She had already expressed her mind
fully, she said; a