the Lady Mary should "be restored to her rank as princess." Some difficulty no doubt continued, and must continue, on this point. But it was a difficulty rather in form than in substance. The king desired that his daughter might be trusted to his honour: she might expect much from his generosity, if he was not pressed to definite promises. Meanwhile, she herself had submitted without reserve; she had entreated pardon for her past disobedience, and accepted her position as illegitimate.[331] It was likely that she would retain her place in the line of succession. Should the king die without legitimate children, she would, in all probability, be his heir. In confirmation of this language, Mary added a letter to the commission, in which, with her own hand, she assured the Emperor that she was satisfied, entreating him to "repent," as she had herself repented; and "to take of her the tenour."[332] [Sidenote: The religious differences will not be composed,] Thus instructed, Wyatt proceeded to Spain; and his reception was, on the whole, auspicious. On both sides, indeed, the hope of agreement on points of religion disappeared with the first words upon the subject. Mendoza offered in London the Emperor's mediation with the Pope. He received for answer that he might spare his labour. "The disposition of the King's Highness was immutably against the said Bishop."[333] The Emperor in his opening interview spoke to Wyatt of the sickness of England, from which he trusted it would soon be recovered. Wyatt replied that England was conscious only of having cast off a chronic sickness which had lasted too long. [Sidenote: But the Emperor will leave them to those whom they concern.] On the other hand, Charles, with equal resolution, declined a theological discussion, to which Henry had challenged him. "If your Majesty," wrote Wyatt, "would hearken to the reconciling with the Bishop of Rome, he would be glad to travel in it. But if not, yet he will go through with you, and will continue ever in that mind, the same not withstanding. And like as he is not lettred, so will he not charge your Majesty with the argument of the Bishop's state, but leave it alone to them that it toucheth."[334] On these terms, apparently satisfactory, the _entente cordiale_ was restored between England and Spain. It was threatened by a cloud in November, when a truce[335] was concluded between Charles and Francis; but the light suspicion was dispelled by assurances that if the truce was followed by a peace, "the King of England should be in the same as a principal contrahent;" "that nothing should be therein concluded which might redound to his dishonour or miscontentment."[336] The alliance promised stability: by skilful management it might be even more strongly cemented. [Sidenote: December 23. Various ladies suggested as successors to Jane Seymour.] [Sidenote: Christina Duchess of Milan.] [Sidenote: Objection and advantage in this connexion.] [Sidenote: January 22.]