Evening star., 1908-01-19
CHAPTER XIII.
His Eminence.

dStOS5 NlI0 lAll IIAtIA hCO8OCs sAS pssA sSA -
gay with late summer flowers and the
green bosquets Of lilac ana yew, to the
serpentine river and distant landscape be-
yond.
Mary Tudor had indeed finished her
afternoon orisons. She had recited her
rosary in the chapel, kneeling before the
honor: no doubt she had prayed for the
Virgins help to aid her in the accomplish
ment Of the one great wish which lay
so near to her heart.
She was this afternoon expecting the ar
rival of q special envoy from his hol1-
ness the Pope, and had to curtan her
prayers In consequence. She had strolled
back to the terrace; because his eminence
the Cardinal de Moreno was there. the
ambassador Of his most Catholic majesty
the King of Spain; also the DUO de
Noailles. who represented the King of
France, and Schayfne. who watched over
the interests Of Emperor Charles In this
game of political conflicts. wherein the
hand Of the Queen of England was the
guerdon.
Mary-Tudor watched them all with a
sleepy eye. She felt dreamy and con-
tented this beautiful afternoon: was not
the envoy from Rome bringing her a spe-
cial blessing from his holiness? and what
could that blessing be but the love of the
one man In all the world to whom she
would gladly have given her hand to
uOlu dIlu IcI lIQS u KISS.
She sighed as she settled herself down
on the straightback chair. which she af-
fected Noailles and Scheyfne hurried
eagerly toward her. His eminence bowed
dered restless1y round her In search Of
the one form dear to her. and she frowned
impatiently when she missed the proud.
handsome face. whose smile alone could
bring hers forth in response.
She listened with but half an ear to
Noailes' platitudes. or to his eminence's s
smooth talk, until close by she heard the
well-known step. She did not turn her
head. Her heart. by It's sudden. rapid
heating. had told her that he was there.
Mary Tudor was not quite forty then. a
woman full of the passionate intensity OF
feeling characteristic of the Tudors. neith-
er beautiful nor yet an adept atswomen's
wiles; but when she heard Wessex's foot
steps on the f1agstones Of the terrace. her
whole face lighted up with that radiance
which makes every woman fair; the
radiance of a whole-haarted love.
Nay. my lord cardinal" she said with
vaunted the beauties of Spain long enough
today. l feel sure she added, half turn
ing toward Wessex. that his grace.
though truant from our side. will hold
a brief for merrie England against you"
The duke. as he approached. scanned
with lazy eye the brilliant company
gathered round the queen: an amused
smile, made up partly Of sarcasm, wholly
Oh lnSOuS1anCc, BllHuIu6T60 eyes, Us
he caught the frown. quickly suppressed
which appeared on the cardinals shrewd.
clever face.
Nay, his eminence hath but to look on
our sovereign lady" he said. as he gal
graciously extended to him. ito know
that England hath naught to envy Spain"
Mary. with the rapid intuition of the
woman who loves. seemed to detect a
more serious tone in Wessex's voice than
was his wont. She looked inquiringiy at
him. The thoughts. engendered In his
mind by Everingham's earnestness and
enthusiasm. had left their shadow over
You look troubled, my lord!" she said
anxiously.
what trouble I had. your grace's pres
ence has already dispelled." he replied
gently.
faces of his political antagonists. whose
presence now Mary seemed completely
to ignore. Her whole personality was
transformed in his presence; she looked
ten years younger, her heavy. slow move
ments appeared suddenly to gain In elas-
ticity.
She rose and beckoned to Wessex to
accompany her.. Neither Noailles nor
Scheyfne cared to follow. fearing re-
buke.
His eminence the Cardinal de Moreno
alone, seeing her turn toward the gar
dens. ventured a remark:
AT what hour will your majesty deign
to receive the envoy Of his holiness?" he
asked unctuously.
"As soon as he arrives" replied the
queer curtly.
His eminence watched the two figures
disappearing down the stone steps of the
terrace. There was troubled. anxious
look I'm his keen eyes. The first, inkling
had just downed upon him that perhaps
he might fail in his mission after all.
A new experience for the Cardinal de
Moreno.
When Philip of Spain desired to wed
Mary Of England he chose the one man
In all Europe most able to carry his
wishes through: A perfect grand seigneur.
veritable princesof the church. his en-
inence shone in every circle where in he
appeared, through the brilliancy Of his
intellect, the charm and suavity of his
manner and. above all, by that dOminat-
Ing personality Of his, which willed so
strongly what he desired to obtain.
Willed 1t at times-so his enemies said
without scruple. Well! perhaps! and II
so. why not? would be his eminence's s
own argument.
Heaven had given him certain weapons;
these he used In order to get Heavens s
own ends And in the mind Of the
nous with the political interests of the
Catholic Church. England was too fine
country to be handed over to the
| schismatic sect without a struggle, the
ligious to be allowed to remain in the
enc mys camp.
And his eminence was not only fighting
for an important political alliance for
his royal MASTER but also for the recon-
quest OF a Catholic England. Wessex, a
Arm yet unostentatious adherent Of the
new faith. was to him an opponent in
every sense.
When the cardinal nrst landed in Eng
land he had been assured that the vola-
| tile and nonchalant duke would never
become q serious obstacle to Spanish
plans.
| The duke? Perhaps not But there
| was the queen herself. half sick for love
and women's follies have ere now upset
the most deeply laid. most important
plans.
"Ah. my friendr' sighed his eminence
with ill concealed irritation, as the Mar
quis de Suarex came idly lounging be-
| side him. "Alas!. and alack-a-day! when
diplomacy hath to reckon with women.
Look at that picturer' he added, point
ing with beringered. slender. taperinx
finger to the figures Of Wessex and Mary
Tudor disappearing amid the bosquets OF
| the park. land think that the destinies
of Europe depend upon how q woman
Of forty con succeed in chaining that but
teriy."
Don Miguel. too. had followed with
frowninE eyes the little comedy just en-
| acted upon the terrace. His intellect.
Il