It was no scruple of conscience that held him back, we may be sure; the crafty Genoese knew nothing about such scruples in the attainment of a great object; he would not have hesitated to adopt any means to secure an end which he felt to be so desirable.

So it is probable that either he was not quite sure of his ground and his courage failed him, or that he had hopes, owing to his friendship with so many of the members of the junta, that a favourable decision would at last be arrived at.

In this he was mistaken.

The Spanish prelates again quoted the Fathers of the Church, and disposed of his proposals simply on the ground that they were heretical.

Much talk, and much wagging of learned heads; and still no mother-wit or gleam of light on this obscurity of learning.