In reality, it had served his purpose to perfection.

Its presence had diverted French levies from Italy, and enabled him, unmolested, to conquer Navarre.

With that he was content.

Why should he wish to see Henry in Guienne?
He was too shrewd to involve his own forces in that hopeless adventure, and the departure of the English furnished him with an excuse for entering into secret negotiations with Louis.

His methods were eloquent of sixteenth-century (p.