"But surely," suggested Nigel, "our Father the Pope approved of the Emperor's Edict and the means he took to enforce it."
The Abbot smiled with great benignity.
"If the Grand Turk issued an edict that all his subjects should become Christians, would not the Holy Father approve? Without a doubt! But if the Grand Turk applied to His Holiness for a million of gold crowns to assist him in his task of conversion?"
"I wager," said Hildebrand, "His Holiness would not subscribe a single rix-dollar!"
"It would be a pious aspiration! And so was our Pope's. They call him Pope Lutheranus. He was not willing to discourage the Emperor Ferdinand in his desires to restore to the church what the church had lost, but he has not shown himself willing to contribute out of the treasure of Rome to set armies marching hither and thither over the peaceful lands of Germany to enforce his aspiration. Let well alone!"
"The Duke of Friedland allowed himself to be dismissed," said the Count von Teschen, "because he saw that it was the Emperor's desire to make him the instrument of oppression to the Protestants."
Nigel's ears pricked up. Who was this that spoke so intimately of Wallenstein's mind?
"Doubtless he saw also," said the Abbot, "that the ideas of the Emperor would draw together all the Protestant powers. It is coming to that. Even my neighbour the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel is but now on his way, if he has not already started, to join Gustavus."
"Indeed!" said Count von Teschen. There was that in his look and tone which suggested to Nigel that it was news to him, and unwelcome news.
"Moreover, my neighbours of Thüringia are in a ferment and have raised up at least a regiment to march into Saxony."