"If the Lord please, all may turn out more favourably than seems likely at present," continued Master Petrus, calmly. "If you and the Marsk can procure peace with temporal enemies, I and my colleagues hope, with God's assistance, to obtain a truce with ecclesiastical foes. Chancellor Martinus and Provost Guido are sent to Rome to anticipate Grand. Most of the bishops in the country side with the king. The provincial prior of the Dominicans and the chapters continue their protest against the constitution of Veile. No priest will uphold the interdict; and, as I said, the people are loyal and devoted to the king." "But this unhappy quarrel with the junker--the breach with the dukes--the doubtful terms with Sweden--the king's rashness and impetuosity--and that terrible Isarnus and the outlaws!" "You are right, Drost Aage! There are more clouds in Denmark's and our young king's heavens than it is in the power of man to disperse"--resumed Petrus de Dacia; "but remember," he added, solemnly, "above the clouds are the stars of heaven, and over the course and government of the stars presides the most high and righteous Creator! and forget not, dear Drost, where stern justice would annihilate us stands the Mediator and his heavenly Mother. Her prayers can shake and avert the threatenings of each evil star, however firmly fixed in the judgment heaven. Be comforted, noble Drost!" he continued, with mild tranquillity; "none can draw aside the veil of futurity: this much, however, I think to have discerned in yon vast mysterious book, that I renounce not the hope of better days for Denmark, so long as the Lord and our blessed Lady will extend a protecting hand over the king's life. With his fortunate star will that of Denmark now assuredly rise or sink." "You are a learned and God-fearing man, venerable Master Petrus!" said Aage, who meanwhile had been pacing uneasily up and down, with the king's letter in his hand; "but, pardon me, now, it is _you_, and not I, who indulge in visionary fancies. I have more confidence in your piety and enlightened view of the Almighty's government here upon earth, and in our time, than in your astrological knowledge and devout gaze into futurity. What we are now concerned in is the present moment; but what in the world is to be done, when neither you, nor any other wise man, can bring the king to his right senses? Hath the archbishop's flight caused him to set at nought discretion? Would he now demand justice only,--not mercy,--of the papal see? Does he think, in defiance of ban and interdict, and even without a dispensation of kindred, he can prevail on the wise Swedish government to consent to the marriage? It is an impossibility--would he despise all reasonable negotiation, and let the sword decide the quarrel with the dukes? And would he now himself storm his brother's castle, and force him to become an avowed traitor and deserter to the enemy?"