The immobility of governments is the _sine qua non_ of the stability of thrones.

You will not doubt this, if you read again the history of your predecessors." He had had time to become converted to this belief, when the armies of the Catholic powers once more opened for him the road to Rome.
Overjoyed at seeing the principle saved, he vowed to himself never again to compromise it, but to reign without progress, according to papal tradition.

But these very foreign powers who had saved his crown, were the first to impose on him the condition of advancing! What was to be done?
He was equally afraid to promise everything, and to refuse everything.

After a long hesitation, he promised in spite of himself; then he absolved himself, for the sake of the future, from the engagements he had made for the sake of the present.
Now he is out of humour with his people, with the French, and with himself.

He knows the nation is suffering, but he allows himself to be persuaded that the misfortunes of the nation are indispensable to the safety of the Church.