An incurable idealist by temperament, he could not comprehend the stubborn actualities of politics.

A pupil of the Jesuits, he would not admit that men like Coligny deserved a hearing.

An Italian of the decadence, he found it hard to tolerate the humors of a puissant nation in a state of civil warfare.

But his master, Luigi d'Este, well understood the practical difficulties which forced the Valois into compromise, and felt no personal aversion for lucrative transaction with the heretic.

Though a prince of the Church, he had not taken priest's orders.