As long as Gustavus lived and the Swedes were able to hold their own against the Imperialists, France troubled herself in no way in the matter; but when the Swedes were finally routed at Nordlingen, and it seemed that the Imperialists would triumph everywhere--for most of the Protestant princes were leaving the Confederacy and trying to make the best terms they could for themselves--Richelieu stepped in; and now we see France, which for the past hundred years has been trying to stamp out Protestantism, uniting with Protestant Holland and Sweden to uphold the Protestant princes of Germany, and this under the direction of a cardinal of the Church of Rome.

And here are we riding behind a Huguenot general, who perhaps more than any other possesses the cardinal's confidence." "It seems strange," de Lisle said, "but it is assuredly good policy.
While fighting Austria we are fighting Spain, for Austria and Spain are but two branches of one empire.

Spain is our eternal enemy.

True, she is not as formidable as she was.

Henry of Navarre's triumph over the Guises half emancipated us from her influence.