A king who was willing to reflect upon the consequences of his own acts, must have foreseen the scandal likely to result from an open quarrel for precedence between such a mother and son.

Margaret of Parma was instantly informed, however, by Alexander, that a divided authority like that proposed was entirely out of the question.

Both offered to resign; but Alexander was unflinching in his determination to retain all the power or none.

The Duchess, as docile to her son after her arrival as she had been to the King on undertaking the journey, and feeling herself unequal to the task imposed upon her, implored Philip's permission to withdraw, almost as soon as she had reached her destination.

Granvelle's opinion was likewise opposed to this interference with the administration of Alexander, and the King at last suffered himself to be overruled.