Page:Margaret of Angoulême, Queen of Navarre (Robinson 1886).djvu/153

138 The horror of Germany for France infected the German Duke of Cleves. Horror of France and fear of the Emperor. He had fought so valiantly for Francis, that Charles in his anger had sworn not to leave the Duke an inch of his dominions. The Duke fought well; but at last the growing contagion seized upon him. He threw down his arms and sued for forgiveness, promising to annul his alliance with the Valois. Jeanne, sore at heart, was already travelling to the frontier, to be given up to her abhorred bridegroom, when this news reached her. It appeared impossible. Of his own accord, the dragon had renounced Andromeda. "Vilain et infame!" cries Margaret, indignant, thinking of her brother betrayed. But Jeanne is happier than ever she had hoped to be again. They apply to the Pope to dissolve the marriage.

A worse blow struck Francis on the 11th February of this year 1543, when the Emperor concluded an alliance with Henry of England. France was now, indeed, alone. The Turkish admiral had sailed from the coasts of France, where there was no enemy to harass. He had promised to return in case of need; but Francis hesitated to call back so redoubtable an ally. The Lutherans of Germany and the Protestants of England were fighting against him under his enemy's standard. The Emperor was encamped in Champagne. The King of England was before Boulogne.

Francis, at this time, was seriously ill. He could not command his army. Tormented by internal wounds, oppressed by melancholy, he could neither act nor advise. The Queen, agonized by this war between husband and brother, was sick unto death. There was indeed an air of joy in the court of the Dauphin; but in the retinue of the King's favourite son there