From this central point commenced the weaving of that wide-spread scheme, in which the fate of millions was to be involved.

The Duchess Christina de Lorraine, cousin of Philip, had accompanied him to Saint Quentin.

Permission had been obtained by the Duc de Guise and his brother, the Cardinal, to visit her at Peronne.

The Duchess was accompanied by the Bishop of Arras, and the consequence was a full and secret negotiation between the two priests.

It may be supposed that Philip's short-lived military ardor had already exhausted itself.