Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 4.djvu/175

1545.] Either because he feared that Henry would execute his threat, or because a further step in the way of reprisal would be followed by war—and as yet prudence warned him to hesitate—the Emperor lowered his tone; he professed a sudden anxiety to mediate between France and England for a peace, and for an amicable arrangement of his own quarrel. The change of attitude was so apparent as to provoke Wotton's suspicions, and three weeks later the alteration became more patent. When D'Annebault's failure at the Isle of Wight became known, the Emperor professed himself ready to send assistance in money according to the treaty, and his desire for cordiality increased in warmth in proportion to the improvement of the English prospects. The Duke of Orleans died while the direction of the current was changing; and as if the subordinates of the French and Imperial Governments