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The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

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INDISCRETION OF VARGAS. 37<br />

in case <strong>of</strong> extreme need, he might inform Sforza. In o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

respects, however, Vargas was to show himself very attentive<br />

to Gonzaga, and to assure him <strong>of</strong> PhiKp's great esteem.'<br />

<strong>The</strong> king, moreover, was not wanting himself in fair words.<br />

He regretted to learn, he wrote to <strong>the</strong> Duke <strong>of</strong> Mantua, that<br />

his' ambassador should have shown such opposition to Cardinal<br />

Gonzaga ;<br />

he could not, indeed, order anyone to vote for<br />

him, but should he be elected it would give him great pleasure.-<br />

While Philip was proceeding with <strong>the</strong> greatest caution with<br />

regard to <strong>the</strong> influential Gonzaga, his ambassador was acting<br />

less guardedly in Rome. In a second letter, <strong>of</strong> October 27th,<br />

<strong>the</strong> king had again referred to Gonzaga's exclusion, but this<br />

time without renewing <strong>the</strong> order to work secretly towards<br />

this end. It happened, by accident, that this second letter<br />

was <strong>the</strong> first to reach Rome, <strong>the</strong> first, that <strong>of</strong> October 20th,<br />

only arriving on November 19th, while <strong>the</strong> second was received<br />

as early as <strong>the</strong> iith.^ Vargas was extremely glad at <strong>the</strong><br />

arrival <strong>of</strong> this message, <strong>the</strong> coming <strong>of</strong> which had been already<br />

announced <strong>from</strong> Mantua and Florence. <strong>The</strong> news caused <strong>the</strong><br />

greatest excitement in <strong>the</strong> conclave. During <strong>the</strong> night <strong>of</strong><br />

November 12th, Vargas arranged with Sforza that Gonzaga<br />

must be informed <strong>of</strong> Phihp's decision, so that he might give<br />

up all fur<strong>the</strong>r attempts to obtain <strong>the</strong> tiara. ^ This, however,<br />

was by no means in accordance with Philip's wishes, and he<br />

afterwards sharply reprimanded Vargas for having, by his<br />

want <strong>of</strong> prudence and lack <strong>of</strong> diplomacy, left him to contend<br />

with <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> Italy, while <strong>the</strong>re was no end to <strong>the</strong> complaints<br />

which Gonzaga himself and his relatives, <strong>the</strong> Dukes<br />

<strong>of</strong> Mantua and Urbino, had addressed to him concerning his<br />

ambassador.^<br />

Gonzaga, wearied by <strong>the</strong> long waiting for Philip's answer,<br />

had himself with<strong>drawn</strong> his candidature a few days previously,<br />

on November 8th, though without <strong>the</strong> secret endeavours<br />

iMijLLER, 136.<br />

^ Ibid., 175.<br />

* Vargas on November 30, 1559, in Dollinger, I., 294.<br />

* Vargas on November 30, 1559, ifcirf., 294 seq.<br />

•' Philip to Vargas on January 8, 1 560, in Mxjller, 206.

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