ly 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 fitting opportunity to inf