Page:Margaret of Angoulême, Queen of Navarre (Robinson 1886).djvu/139

124 Flanders. He even promised Charles a safe passage through France if he chose to go that way to reconquer his dominions.

No doubt the Emperor in return promised many golden things. We know that he had sent a messenger to Francis, earnestly beseeching the right to pass through France, and hinting at rewards too great to specify. Francis believed him, and he came—came, to the bitter disgust of the Queen of Navarre, the evident displeasure of Madame d'Étampes, the fiery indignation of Prince Henry, who remembered those French attendants who, accompanying him into captivity, had been sent by the Emperor to the galleys. But Francis insisted on a noble reception for his guest; a certain chivalry of instinct forbade him to recall the dungeon of Madrid. So the Emperor came, to the disgust of France, to the bewilderment of the Protestants, and Soliman, and Venice.

"These men are not a litil astonied," writes Harvel from Venice in November 1539, "to undirstonde of the Emperoure's journey to Flanders by the wais of France, with few horsis. And certeinly they are matters of grete admiracion and exciding the reasons of men to consider, so grete and perpetual enemies have so grete confidence together."

Not only Harvel but all Europe believed that the Emperor, afraid of the power of Francis should he join the League, preferred to grant him Milan and keep him as a friend. The Venetian, thinking themselves forsaken, were in great distress and bewilderment. Soliman said, "These Christian princes know not how to keep their word." Henry of England sent his ambassador to Margaret to learn if Francis will in truth incline towards the Emperor. "I fear," says