He appeared to answer the entreaties of the superstitious rabble with fervent blessings, while the friends who were nearest him were aware that nothing but gibes and sarcasms were falling from his lips.

"Let us fool these poor creatures to their heart's content, since they will be fools," he muttered; smiling the while upon them benignantly, as became his holy office.

Such were the materials of this new combination; such was the fuel with which this new blaze was lighted and maintained.

Thus were the great powers of the earth--Spain, France, England, and the Papacy embroiled, and the nations embattled against each other for several years.

The preceding pages show how much national interests, or principles; were concerned in the struggle thus commenced, in which thousands were to shed their life-blood, and millions to be reduced from peace and comfort to suffer all the misery which famine and rapine can inflict.