She may
reopen the question of her coronation so long and--in her view--
so unreasonably postponed."
Henry's face grew overcast, his brows knit. "I have always had an
instinct against it, as you know, Grand Master," said he, "and
this instinct is strengthened by what that letter has taught me.
If she will dare so much, having so little real power, what might
she not do if . . ." He broke off, and fell to musing. "If she
demands it we must yield, I suppose," he said at length. "But
give her to understand that if I discover any more of her designs
with Spain I shall be provoked to the last degree against her.
And as an antidote to these machinations at Madrid you may
publish my intention to uphold the claims of the German Princes
in the matter of Cleves, and let all the world know that we are
arming to that end."
He may have thought--as was long afterwards alleged--that the
threat itself should be sufficient, for there was at that time no
power in Europe that could have stood against his armies in the
field.
On that they parted, with a final injunction from Sully that
Henry should see the Princesse de Conde no more.
"I swear to you, Grand Master, that I will use restraint and
respect the sacred tie I formed between my nephew and Charlotte
solely so that I might impose silence upon my own passion.
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