The hatred which the emperor bore to the pope was still further increased by the pontiff's resistance.[354] In his anger he appealed to the cardinals. At first he succeeded, having brought powerful inducements into play, and a consistory decided in favour of the immediate convocation of a council. The alarmed Clement set to work to bring back the misguided cardinals, and he was successful; for a second consistory, held on the 20th of December, coincided with the pope. 'We cannot think of assembling a council,' said the sacred college, 'before we have reconciled all the christian princes.'[355] The emperor openly expressed his dissatisfaction. Wait until Henry VIII., Francis I., and Charles V. are agreed ... as well put it off to the Greek calends! Clement endeavoured to pacify him. He would assemble it at _a suitable time_, he said; and then, as he feared that the Germans, on hearing of his refusal, would hold a _national_ council, he sent off envoys to prevent it, at the same time hinting to the emperor that they were empowered to prepare that nation for a general council.[356] Was Charles V. the pope's dupe? It is a doubtful point. Clement, an enthusiastic disciple of his fellow-countryman Machiavelli, was, conformably to the instructions of his master, supple and false, without conscience and without faith. But the emperor knew full well that such were the precepts of the illustrious Florentine. [Sidenote: ITALIAN LEAGUE.] For some time past Charles had been silently meditating another project which, he thought, could not fail to render him master of Italy. It was the formation of a defensive Italian league against Francis. He communicated his plan to the pope with the reserve and ability that characterised him, and set himself up as the defender of Rome. Clement, however, did not believe in his generosity, but on the contrary feared that this confederation would give him a master; nevertheless he appeared to be charmed with it. 'Yes!' he exclaimed, 'Italy must set itself against the ambition of France.' At the same time he informed the ambassador of Venice that he had said these things, not as being his own opinion, but the emperor's. 'Report this prudently to your lords,' he added.[357] The pontiff had always two faces and two meanings.