UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AT LOS ANGELES
"HE SAW MARGUERITE LIFTING THE TAPESTRY"
Dumas, Vol. Three
THE WORKS OF
ALEXANDRE DUMAS
IN THIRTY VOLUMES
ILLUSTRATED WITH DRAWINGS ON WOOD BY
EMINENT FRENCH AND AMERICAN ARTISTS
NEW YORK
P. F. COLLIER AND SON
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ADVERTISEMENT.
THE following introductory remarks are extracted from
a review of Dumas' Novels, etc., in BLACKWOOD'S MAGA-
ZINE.
" On the eighteenth day of August, 1572, a great festi-
val was held in the palace of the Louvre. It was to cele-
brate the nuptials of Henry of Navarre and Marguerite
de Valois.
" This alliance between the chief of the Protestant party
in France, and the sister of Charles IX. and daughter of
Catherine de Medicis, perplexed, and in some degree
alarmed, the Catholics, whilst it filled the Huguenots with
joy and exultation. The king had declared that he knew
and made no difference between Eomanist and Calvinist
that all were alike his subjects, and equally beloved by
him. He caressed the throng of Huguenot nobles and
gentlemen whom the marriage had attracted to the court,
was affectionate to his new brother-in-law, friendly with
the Prince of Conde, almost respectful to the venerable
Admiral de Coligny, to whom he proposed to confide the
command of an army in a projected war with Spain. The
chiefs of the Catholic party were not behindhand in'fol-
lowing the example set them by Charles. Catherine de
Medicis was all smiles and affability ; the Duke of Anjou,
afterwards Henry III., received graciously the compli-
ments paid him by the Huguenots themselves on his suc-
cesses at Jarnac and Moncontour, battles which he had
won before he was eighteen years old ; Henry of Guise,
whose reputation as a leader already, at the age of two-and
iii
DUMAS VOL. III. 1
iv ADVERTISEMENT.
twenty, almost equalled that of his great father, was cour-
teous and friendly to those whose deadly foe he had so
lately been. The Duke of Mayenne and the Admiral, the
Guise and the Conde, were seen riding, conversing, and
making parties of pleasure together. It was the lion lying
down with the lamb.
" On the twenty-second of August, four days after the
marriage, in which the Huguenots saw a guarantee of the
peaceful exercise of their religion, the Admiral de Coligny
was passing through the street of St.-Germain-1'Auxerrois,
when he was shot at and wounded by a captain of Petar-
diers, one Maurevel, who went by the name of Le Tueur
du Roi, literally, the King's Killer. At midnight on the
twenty-fourth of August, the tocsin sounded, and the
massacre of St. Bartholomew began.
" It is at this stirring period of French history, abound-
ing in horrors and bloodshed, and in plots and intrigues,
that M. Alexandre Dumas commences ' Marguerite de
Vt\lois.' Beginning with the marriage of Henry and Mar-
garet, he narrates, in his spirited and attractive style,
various episodes, real and imaginary, of the great massacre,
from the first fury of which Henry himself, doomed to
death by the remorseless Catherine de Medicis, was only
saved by his own caution, by the indecision of Charles IX.,
and the energy of Margaret of Valois. The marriage be-
tween the King of France's sister and the King of Navarre
was merely one of convenance, agreed to by Henry for the
sake of his fellow Protestants, and used by Catherine and
Charles as a lure to bring 'those of the .Religion,' as they
were called, to Paris, there to be slaughtered, unsuspecting
and defenseless. Margaret, then scarcely twenty years of
age", had already made herself talked of by her intrigues ;
Henry, who was a few months younger, but who, even at
that early period of his life, possessed a large share of the
shrewdness and prudence for which his countrymen, the
Bearnese, have at all times been noted, was, at the very
time of his marriage, deeply in love with the Baroness de
Sauve, one of Catherine de Medicis' ladies, by whom he
was in his turn beloved. But although little affection
ADVERTISEMENT. v
existed between the royal pair, the strong links of interest
and ambition bound them together ; and no sooner were
they married, than they entered into a treaty of political
alliance, to which, for some time, both steadily and truly
adhered.
* * * * *
" The author, according to his custom, introduces a
vast array of characters, for the most part historical, all
spiritedly drawn and well sustained. M. Dumas may, in
various respects, be held up as an example to our history
spoilers, self-styled writers of historical romance, on this
side the Channel. One does not find him profaning public
edifices by causing all sorts of absurdities to pass, and of
twaddle to be spoken, within their precincts ; neither does
he make his kings and beggars, high-born dames and pri-
vate soldiers, use the very same language, all equally tame,
colorless, and devoid of character. The spirited and
varied dialogue in which his romances abound, illustrates
and brings out the qualities and characteristics of his
actors, and is not used for the sole purpose of making a
chapter out of what would be better told in a page. In
many instances, indeed, it would be difficult for him to tell
his story, by the barest narrative, in fewer words than he
does by pithy and pointed dialogue. "
CONTENTS.
5HAPTER. PACE
I. M. De Guise's Latin 1
II. Henry of Navarre and Marguerite 13
III. The Poet-King 25
IV. The Evening of the 24th of August, 1572 36
V. Of the Louvre in Particular, and of Virtue in
General 44
VI. The Debt Paid 51
VII. The Night of the 24th of August, 1572 62
VIII. The Victims 76
IX. The Murderers 86
X. Death, Mass, or the Bastille 99
XL The Hawthorn of the Cemetery of the Innocents. . 112
XII. Mutual Confidence 122
XIII. How there are Keys that Open Doors they are not
Meant for 129
XIV. Catherine and Marguerite. 139
XV. What Woman Wills, Heaven Wills also 149
XVI. The Body of a Dead Enemy Always Smells Sweet. 163
XVII. The Rival of Maitre Ambroise Pare 173
XVIII. The Visit 179
XIX. The Abode of Maitre Rene,- Perfumer to the Queen-
Mother 183
XX. The Black Hens 194
XXI. Madame de Sauve's Chamber 201
XXII. " Sire, you will be King ! " 210
XXIII. A New Convert 215
XXIV. The Rue Tizon and the Rue Cloche-Percee 227
XXV. Cherry Mantle 237
XXVI. Marguerite 245
XXVII. The Hand of Providence 250
XXVIII. The Letter from Rome..,;.. 256
XXIX. The Departure 360
Tii
viil CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAQB
XXX. Maurevel 265
XXXI. The Boar-Hunt 269
XXXII. Fraternity 276
XXXIII. The Gratitude of King Charles the Ninth 283
XXXIV. Man Proposes, but God Disposes 288
XXXV. The Two Kings 297
XXXVI. Marie Touchet 303
XXXVII. The Return to the Louvre . . 307
XXXVIII. Interrogatories 316
XXXIX. Projects of Vengeance 323
XL. The Atrides 333
XLI. The Horoscope 343
XLIL Mutual Confidences 349
XLIII. The Ambassadors 358
XLJV. Orestes and Py lades 363
XLV. Orthon 370
XL VI. The Hostelry of " La Belle Etoile " 382
XLVH. De Mouy de Saint-Phale 389
XLVHI. Two Heads for One Crown 396
XLJX. The Book of Venerie 405
L. The Hawking Party 411
LI. The Pavilion of Francois the First 417
LJI. The Examinations 422
LJH. Actaeon 432
LTV. Vincennes 439
LV. The Figure of Wax 444
LVI. The Invisible Bucklers 452
LVII. The Trial 457
LVIH. The Torture of the Boot 466
LIX. The Chapel 472
LX. The Place Saint- Jean-en-Gr6ve 477
LXI. The Headman's Tower 482
LXII. The Sweat of Blood 490
LXIII. The Platform of the Donjon at Vinceunes 494
LXIV. The Regency 497
LXV. The King is Dead ! God Save the King ! 500
LXVI. Epilogue . 504
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
CHAPTEE I.
M. DE GUISE'S LATIN.
ON Monday, the 18th of August, 1572, there was a
splendid fete at the Louvre.
The windows of the ancient royal residence were bril-
liantly illuminated, and the squares and streets adjacent,
usually so solitary after the clock of Saint Germain-!' Aux-
errois had tolled nine, were now crowded with people,
although it was past midnight.
All this assemblage, threatening, pressing, and tur-
bulent, resembled, in the gloom, a dark and rolling sea,
each swell of which increases to a foaming wave ; this sea
extending all along the quay, spent its waves at the base
of the walls of the Louvre, on the one hand, and against
the Hotel de Bourbon, which was opposite, on the other.
There was in spite of the royal f 6te, and perhaps even be-
cause of the royal fte, something threatening in the as-
pect of the people.
The court was celebrating the marriage of Madame
Marguerite de Valois, daughter of Henry II. and sister
of King Charles IX., with Henry de Bourbon, King of
Navarre ; and that same morning the Cardinal de Bour-
bon had united the young couple with the usual ceremonial
observed at the marriages of the royal daughters of
France, on a stage erected at the entrance to Ndtre
Dame.
1
2 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
This marriage had astonished everybody, and occasioned
much surmise to certain persons who saw clearer than
others. They could not comprehend the union of two par-
ties who hated each other so thoroughly as did, at this
moment, the Protestant party and the Catholic party ; and
they wondered how the young Prince de Conde could for-
give the Duke d'Anjou, the king's father, for the death of
his father, assassinated by Montesquieu, at Jarnac. They
asked how the young Duke de Guise could pardon Admiral
de Coligny for the death of his father, assassinated at
Orleans by Poltrot de Mere. Moreover, Jeanne de Navarre,
the courageous spouse of the weak Antoine de Bourbon,
who had conducted his son Henry to the royal espousals
which awaited him, had died scarcely two months before,
and singular reports had been spread abroad as to this
sudden death. It was everywhere whispered, and in some
places said aloud, that she had discovered some terrible
secret ; and that Catherine de Medicis, fearing its dis-
closure, had poisoned her gloves, which had been made by
one Ben6, her fellow-countryman, and deeply skilled in
such affairs. This report was the more spread and be-
lieved, when, after the death of this great queen, at her
soii^s request, two celebrated physicians, one of whom was
the famous Ambroise Pare, were instructed to open and
examine the body, but not the skull. As it was by the
smell that Jeanne de Navarre had been poisoned, it was
the brain alone that could present any traces of the crime,
and that was the sole part excluded from dissection. "We
say crime, for no one doubted for a moment that a crime
had been committed.
This was not all. The king, Charles, in particular had
set his heart on this union, which not only re-established
peace in his kingdom, but also attracted to Paris the prin-
cipal Huguenots of France, and his anxiety almost ap-
proached to obstinacy. As the two betrothed belonged
one to the Catholic religion and the other to the Reformed
religion, they were obliged to obtain a dispensation from
Gregory XIII., who then filled the papal chair. The
dispensation was slow in coming, and the delay causing
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 3
great uneasiness to the late Queen of Navarre, she had
one day expressed to Charles IX. her fears lest the dis-
pensation should not arrive ; to which the king replied :
" Be under no alarm, my dear aunt. I honor you
more than I do the Pope, and I love my sister more than
I fear his holiness. I am not a Huguenot, bub neither am
I a fool ; and if the Pope makes any difficulties, I will my-
self take Margaret by the hand, and unite her to your sou
in the sight of open day."
This speech was soon spread through the Louvre and
the city, and whilst it greatly rejoiced the Huguenots,
had given the Catholics wherewithal to reflect upon ; and
they asked one another, with a low voice, if the king really
meant to betray them, or was only playing a part which
some fine morning or evening might have an unexpected
finale.
It was particularly with regard to Admiral de Coligny,
who for five or six years had been so bitterly opposed to
the king, that the conduct of Charles IX. appeared inex-
plicable ; after having put on his head a price of a hun-
dred and fifty thousand golden crowns, the king now swore
by him, called him his father, and declared openly that he
should in future confide the conduct of the war to him
alone. To such a pitch was this carried, that Catherine
de Medicis herself, who until then had controlled the
actions, will, and even desires of the young prince, seemed
beginning to be really uneasy, and not without reason ;
for, in a moment of confidence, Charles IX. had said to
the admiral, in reference to the war in Flanders, " My
father, there is one other thing against which we must
be on our guard, and this is, that the queen, my mother,
who likes to poke her nose everywhere, as you well
know, shall learn nothing of this undertaking ; we must
keep it so quiet that she does not hear a word of it or,
meddler as she is, she will spoil all."
Now, wise and experienced as he was, Coligny had not
kept this counsel secret ; and, albeit he had come to Paris
with great suspicions, and albeit at his departure from
Chatillon a peasant had thrown herself at his feet, crying,
4 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
" Ah ! sir, our good master, do not go to Paris, for if you
do yon will die you and all who are with you ! " these
suspicions were lulled and almost destroyed in his breast,
and in that of Teligny, his son-in-law, to whom the king
was especially kind and attentive, calling him " brother/'
as he called the admiral his " father," and behaving to
him as he did to his best friends.
The Huguenots, then, excepting some few morose and
suspicious spirits, were completely re-assured. The death
of the Queen of Navarre passed over, as having been caused
by a pleurisy, and the spacious apartments of the Louvre
were filled with those brave Protestants to whom the
marriage of their young chief, Henry, promised an un-
expected return of good fortune. Admiral Coligny, La
Eochefoucault, the young Prince de Cond6, Teligny, in
short, all the leaders of the party, were triumphant when
they saw so powerful at the Louvre, and so welcome in Paris,
those whom, three months before, King Charles and Queen
Catherine would have hanged on gibbets higher than those
of assassins. The king, the queen, the Duke d'Anjou,
and the Duke d'Aleii9on did the honors of the royal f4te
with all courtesy and kindness.
The Duke d'Anjou received from the Huguenots them-
selves well-merited compliments as to the two battles of
Jarnac and Moncontour, which he had gained before he
was eighteen years of age, more precocious in that than
either Caesar or Alexander, to whom they compared him,
of course placing the conquerors of Pharsalia and Issns as
inferior to the living prince. The Duke d'Alen9on looked
on, with his bland, false smile, whilst Queen Catherine,
radiant with joy and diffuse in compliment, congratulated
Prince Henry de Cond6 on his recent marriage with Marie
de Cloves, and the Messieurs de Guise themselves looked
gracious on the formidable enemies of their house, and the
Duke de Mayenne discoursed with M. de Tavanne and
the admiral on the impending war, which was now more
than ever threatened against Philippe II.
In the midst of these groups moved backwards and for-
wards, his head a little ou one side, his ear open to all
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 5
that was said, a young man about nineteen years of age,
with a keen eye, black hair cut very close, thick eyebrows,
and a nose curved like an eagle's, with a sneering smile
and a growing mustache and beard. This young man,
who had first distinguished himself at the battle of Arnay-
le Due, for which he had been very highly complimented,
was the dearly beloved pupil of Coligny, and the hero of
the day. Three months anterior, that is to say, when his
mother was living, they called him the Prince of Beam,
now he was called the King of Navarre, and in aftertime,
Henry IV.
From time to time a gloomy cloud passed suddenly and
rapidly over his brow ; questionless, he recollected that
" two months, two little months," had scarce elapsed since
his mother's death, and he less than any one doubted that
she had Been poisoned. But the cloud was transitory, and
disappeared like a fleeting shadow, for they who spoke to
him, they who congratulated him, they who elbowed him,
were they who had assassinated the brave Jeanne d'Albret.
Some paces distant from the King of Navarre, almost
as pensive and gloomy as the king affected to be joyous
and free from cares, was the young Duke de Guise, con-
versing with Teligny. More fortunate than the Bearnais,
at two-and- twenty he had almost attained the reputation
of his father, Franqois the great Duke de Guise. He was
an elegant gentleman, very tall, with a noble and haughty
look, and gifted with that natural majesty, which caused
it to be said that by his side other princes seemed to belong
to the people. Young as he was the Catholics looked
up to him as the chief of their party, as the Huguenots
considered Henry of Navarre, whose portrait we have just
drawn, to be their chief. He had heretofore borne the title
of Prince de Joinville, and at the siege of Orleans fought
his first fight under his father, who died in his arms, de-
nouncing Admiral Coligny as his assassin. It was then
the young duke, like Hannibal, took a solemn oath to
avenge his father's death on the admiral and his family,
and to pursue the foes to his religion without truce or re-
spite, promising God to be his exterminating augel on earth,
6 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
until the very last heretic should be cat off. It was there-
fore with the deepest astonishment that the people saw
this prince, usually so faithful to his word, extend the
hand of fellowship to those whom he had sworn to hold
as his eternal enemies, and discourse familiarly with the
son-in-law of the man whose death he had promised to his
dying father.
But as we have said, this was an evening of astonish-
ments.
All continued smilingly within, and a murmur more
soft and flattering than ever pervaded the Louvre at the
moment when the youthful bride, after having laid aside
her toilette of ceremony, her long mantle and flowing veil,
returned to the ball-room, accompanied by the lovely
Duchess de Nevers, her most intimate friend, and led by
her brother, Charles IX., who presented her to the prin-
cipal guests.
The bride was the daughter of Henry II., was the pearl
of the crown of France, MARGUERITE DE VALOIS, whom, in
his familiar tenderness for her, King Charles IX., always
called ma sceur Margot, " my sister Madge."
Never was a more flattering reception, never one more
merited, than that which awaited the new Queen of Na-
varre. Marguerite at this period was scarcely twenty, and
already she was the object of all the poets' eulogies, some
of whom compared her to Aurora, others to Cytherea;
she was, in truth, a beauty without rival in that court in
which Catherine de Medicis had assembled the loveliest
women of the age and country.
She had black hair and a brilliant complexion ; a volup-
tuous eye, veiled by long lids, coral and delicate lips, a
graceful neck, a full, enchanting figure, and concealed in
a satin slipper a tiny foot, scarce larger than an infant's.
The French, who possessed her. were proud to see so lovely
a flower flourishing in their soil, and foreigners who passed
through France returned home dazzled with her beauty, if
they had but seen her, and amazed at her knowledge, if
they had discoursed with her ; for not only was Margue-
rite the loveliest, she was also the most erudite, woman of
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. f
her time, and on all sides was quoted the remark of an
Italian savant who had been presented to her, and who,
after having conversed with her for an hour in Italian,
Spanish, and Latin, had said, on quitting her presence :
" To see the court without seeing Marguerite de Valois, is
to see neither France nor the court."
Thus it may be supposed, that addresses to King Charles
IX. and the Queen of Navarre were not wanting. The
Huguenots were great hands at addresses. Many strong
hints to the past, and stronger hints as to the future, were
adroitly slipped into these harangues ; but to all such allu-
sions and speeches he replied, with his pale lips and arti-
ficial smiles :
" In giving my sister Margot to Henry of Navarre, I
give my sister to all the Protestants of the kingdom."
This phrase assured some and made others smile, for it
had really a double sense : the one paternal, and with
which Charles IX. would not load his mind ; the other,
injurious to the bride, her husband, and also to him who
said it, for it recalled some scandalous rumors with which
the chroniclers of the court had already found means to
smirch the nuptial robe of Marguerite de Valois.
However, M. de Guise was conversing, as we have de-
scribed, with Teligny ; but he did not pay to the conver-
sation such sustained attention but that he turned away
somewhat, from time to time, to cast a glance at the
group of ladies, in the center of whom glittered the Queen
of Navarre. When the princess's eye thus met that of the
young duke, a cloud seemed to overspread that lovely
brow, around which stars of diamonds formed a tremulous
circlet, and some agitating thought might be divined in
her restless and impatient manner.
The Princess Claude, the eldest sister of Marguerite,
who had been for some years married to the Duke of Lor-
raine, had observed this uneasiness, and going up to her,
was about to inquire the cause, when all stood aside at the
approach of the queen-mother, who came forward, leaning
on the arm of the young Prince de Cond6, and the prin-
cess was thus suddenly shut out from her sister. There
8 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
was then a general movement, by which the Duke de
Guise profited to approach Madame de Nevers, his sister-
in-law, and Marguerite.
Madame de Lorraine, who had not lost sight of her sister,
then remarked, instead of the cloud which she had before
observed on her forehead, a burning blush come into her
cheeks. The duke approached still nearer, and when he
was within two steps of Marguerite, she appeared rather
to feel than see his presence, and turned round, making a
violent effort over herself in order to give her features an
appearance of calmness and indifference. The duke, then
respectfully bowing, murmured, in a low tone, " Ipse
attulL"" I have brought it."
Marguerite returned the salute of the young duke, and
as she stooped, replied, in the same tone, " Noctu pro
more." " To-night, as usual/'
These words, uttered softly, were so lost in the enormous
collar which the princess wore, as to be heard only by the
person to whom they were addressed ; but brief as had
been the conference, it doubtless composed all the young
couple had to say, for after this exchange of two words
for three, they separated, Marguerite more thoughtful,
and the duke with his brow less clouded than when they
met. This little scene took place without the person
most interested appearing to remark it, for, on his side,
the King of Navarre had eyes but for one individual
amongst those whom Marguerite de Valois had around
her, and that was the lovely Madame de Sauve.
Charlotte de Beaune Semblanqay, granddaughter of the
unfortunate Semblan9ay, and wife of Simon de Fizes,
Baron de Sauve, was one of the ladies in waiting to
Catherine de Medicis, and one of the most redoubtable
auxiliaries of this queen, who poured forth to her enemies
philters of love when she dared not pour out Italian poison.
Delicately fair, and by turns sparkling with vivacity or
languishing in melancholy, always ready for love or in-
trigue, the two great occupations which for fifty years
employed the court of the three succeeding kings : a
woman in every acceptation of the word, and in all the
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 9
charm of the idea, from the blue eye, languishing or
beaming fire, to the small and perfectly formed feet, hid-
den in their slippers of velvet, Madame de Sauve had
already for some months seized on every faculty of the
King of Navarre, then making his debut as lover as well
as politician, so completely, that Marguerite de Valois a
magnificent and royal beauty, had not even excited admi-
ration in the heart of her spouse ; and what was more
strange, and astonished all the world, even on the part of
that soul so full of darkness and mystery, Catherine de
Medicis, whilst she prosecuted her project of union
between her daughter and the King of Navarre, had not
ceased to favor almost openly his amour with Madame de
Sauve. But despite this powerful aid, and despite the
easy manners of the age, the lovely Charlotte had hitherto
resisted ; and this resistance, unheard-of, incredible, un-
precedented, even more than the beauty and wit of her
who resisted, had excited in the heart of the Bearnais a
passion which, unable to satisfy itself, had destroyed in
the young king's heart all timidity, pride, and even that
carelessness, half philosophy, half idleness, which formed
the basis of his character.
Madame de Sauve had been only a few minutes in the
apartment ; from spite or grief, she had at first resolved
on not being present at her rival's triumph, and under the
pretext of an indisposition, had allowed her husband, who
had been for five years secretary of state, to go alone to
the Louvre ; but when Catherine de Medicis saw the
baron without his wife, had learned the cause that kept
away her dear Charlotte, and that the indisposition was
but slight, she wrote a few words to her, which the lady
instantly obeyed. Henry, sad as he had at first been at
her absence, had yet breathed more freely when he saw
M. de Sanve enter alone ; but at the moment when, not
expecting her appearance, he was about to pay some
court to the charming creature whom he was condemned,
if not to love, at least to treat as his wife, he saw Madame
de Sauve arise, as it were, from the further end of the
gallery. He was nailed to the place, his eyes fastened on
10 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
the Circe, who enthralled him as if by magic chains, and
instead of continuing his steps towards his wife, by a
movement of hesitation which betrayed more astonish-
ment than alarm, he advanced to meet Madame de Sauve.
The courtiers, seeing the King of Navarre, whose in-
flammable heart they knew, approach the beautiful Char-
lotte, had not the courage to prevent their meeting, but
drew aside complaisantly ; so that at the same moment
when Marguerite de Valois and M. de Guise exchanged
the few words in Latin which we have noted above,
Henry, having approached Madame de Sauve, began, in a
French very intelligible, although with somewhat of a
Gascon accent, a conversation by no means so mysterious.
Ah, ma mie I " he said, " you have, then, come at the
very moment when they assured me that you were unwell,
and I had lost all hope of seeing you ? "
" Your majesty," replied Madame de Sauve, " would
perhaps wish me to believe that it had cost you something
to lose this hope ? "
" Sang Diou ! I believe it ! " replied the Bearnais ;
' ' know you not that you are my sun by day, and my star
by night ? By my faith, I was in deepest darkness till
you appeared and illumined all."
" Then, monseigneur, I serve you a very ill turn.
" What mean you, ma mie9" inquired Henry.
" I mean that he who is master of the handsomest woman
in France should only have one desire that the light
should disappear, and give way to darkness and to happi-
ness."
" You know, cruel one, that my happiness is in the
hands of one woman only, and that she laughs at poor
Henry."
"Oh !" replied the baroness, "I believe, on the con-
trary, that it was this person who was the sport and jest
of the King of Navarre. "
" By my faith, dearest, you reproach me very unjustly,
and I do not comprehend how so lovely a month can be
BO cruel. Do you suppose for a moment that it is I who
marry myself ? No, ventre-saint-gris, it is not 1 1 "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. H
" It is I, perhaps," said the baroness, sharply.
"With your lovely eyes have you not seen farther,
baroness ? No, no ; it is not Henry of Navarre who weds
Marguerite de Valois."
"And what is it, then ?"
" Why, sang Diou ! it is the Reformed religion which
marries the Pope that's all."
" No, no ; your majesty loves Madame Marguerite.
And can I blame you ? Heaven forbid ! She is beautiful
enough to be adored/'
Henry reflected for a moment, and, as he reflected, a
meaning smile curled the corner of his lips.
" Baroness," said he, " you have no right to seek a
quarrel with me. What have you done to prevent me from
espousing Madame Marguerite ? Nothing, On the con-
trary, you have always driven me to despair, and I wed
her because you love me not."
" If I had loved you, sire, I must have died in another
hour."
" In another hour ! What do yon mean ? And of what
death would you have died ? "
"Of jealousy ! for in another hour the Queen of
Navarre will send away her women, and your majesty your
gentlemen."
" Is that really the thought that occupies your mind,
ma mie 9 "
" I have not said so. I only say, that if I loved you it
would occupy my mind most tormentingly. "
" But suppose," said Henry, " that the King of Navarre
should not send away his gentlemen this evening ? "
" Sire," replied Madame de Sauve, looking at the king
with astonishment for once unfeigned, "you say things
impossible and incredible."
" What must I do, to make you believe them ?"
" Give me a proof and that proof you cannot give me."
" Yes, baroness, yes ! By Saint Henry, I will give it
you ! " exclaimed the king, gazing amorously on her.
"Oh, your majesty !" murmured the lovely Charlotte,
with downcast eyes, " I do not comprehend/'
12 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"There are four Henries in this room, my adorable !"
replied the king. " Henry de France, Henry de Conde",
Henry de Guise : but there is only one Henry of Navarre/'
"Well?"
" Well ; if this Henry of Navarre is with you all
night
" All night 1 "
" Yes ; then you will be certain that he is not with any
other."
" Ah ! if you do that, sire," said Madame Sauve.
" On the honor of a gentleman, I will do it ! "
Madame de Sauve raised her beaming and love-promis-
ing eyes to the king, whose heart beat with joy.
" And then," said Henry, " what will you say ? "
" I will say," replied Charlotte, " that your majesty
really loves me."
" Ventre-saint-gris ! then you shall say it. Have you
not about you some waiting- woman whom you can trust ?"
" Yes, Dariole is devoted to me."
" Sang-Diou ! then say to her, that I will make her
fortune when I am King of France, as the astrologers
prophesy."
Charlotte smiled, for even at this period the Gascon
reputation of the Bearnais was already established with
respect to his promises.
" Well, then, what do you desire of Dariole ? "
" Little for her, a great deal for me. Your apartment
is over mine ? "
"Yes."
"Let her wait behind the door. I will strike three
blows gently, and "
Madame de Sauve kept silence for several seconds, and
then, as if she had looked around her to observe if she
were overheard, she fastened her gaze for a moment on
the group which environed the queen-mother : brief as
the moment was, it was sufficient for Catherine and her
lady-in-waiting to exchange a look.
" Oh, if I were inclined," said Madame de Sauve, with
a syren's accent that would have melted Ulysses himself
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 13
" if I were inclined to make your majesty tell a false-
hood "
" Ma mie, try '*
11 Ah, mafoi! I confess I am tempted to do so."
" Women are never so strong as after their defeat."
" Sire, I hold you to your promise for Dariole, when you
shall be King of France."
Henry uttered an exclamation of joy.
It was at the precise moment when the cry escaped the
lips of the Bearnais, that the Queen of Navarre replied to
the Duke of Guise :
" Noctu pro more."
Then Henry quitted Madame de Sauve as happy as the
Duke de Guise when he quitted Marguerite de Valois.
An hour after the double scene we have just related,
King Charles and the queen-mother also retired to their
apartments. Almost immediately the apartments began to
empty ; the galleries exhibited the bases of their marble
columns. The admiral and the Prince de Conde were es-
corted home by four hundred Huguenot gentlemen through
the middle of the crowd, which groaned as they passed.
Then Henry de Guise, with the Lorraine and Catholic
gentlemen, left in their turn, greeted by the cries of joy
and plaudits of the people.
As to Marguerite de Valois, Henry of Navarre, and
Madame de Sauve, they lived in the Louvre.
CHAPTER II.
HENRY OF NAVARRE AND MARGUERITE.
THE Duke de Guise escorted his sister-in-law, the
Duchess de Nevers, to his hotel in the Rue du Chaume, and
then proceeded to his own apartment to change his dress,
put on a night cloak, and arm himself with one of those
short and sharp poniards which were called " foi de gentil-
komme," and were worn without swords ; but at the moment
14 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
when he took it off the table on which it was placed, he
perceived a small billet between the blade and the scab-
bard.
He opened it, and read as follows :
" I hope M. de Guise will not return to the Louvre to-
night ; or if he does, that he will at least take the precau-
tion to arm himself with a good coat of mail and a proved
sword/'
"Ah ! ah !" said the duke, "this is a singular warn-
ing ; but I always take good advice my steel jacket and
my sword."
The valet-de-chambre, accustomed to these changes of
costume, brought both. The duke put on his jacket,
which was made of rings of steel so fine that it was scarcely
thicker than velvet ; he then drew on a pardessns and
ponrpoint of gray and silver, his favorite colors, placed
a dagger by his side, handed his sword to a page, the only
attendant he allowed to accompany him, and took the way
to the Louvre, which he reached in safety.
In front of the royal chateau was a deep fosse, looking
into which were the chambers of most of the princes who
inhabited the palace. Marguerite's apartment was on the
first floor, and, easily accessible but for the fosse, was, in
consequence of the depth to which that was cut, thirty
feet from the bottom of the wall, and consequently out of
the reach of robbers or lovers ; but nevertheless the Duke
de Guise approached it without hesitation.
At the same moment was heard the noise of a window
which opened on the ground floor. This window was
grated, but a hand appeared, lifted out one of the bars
that had been loosened, and dropped from it a silken
lace.
" Is that you, Gillonne ? " said the duke, in a low voice.
" Yes, monseigneur," replied a female voice, in a still
lower tone.
" And Marguerite ?"
" Awaits you."
" 'Tiswell."
Hereupon the duke made a signal to his page, who,
MARGUERITE DE VALOI8. 15
opening his cloak, took out a small rope ladder. The
prince fastened one end to the silk lace, and Gillonne
drawing it, unfastened it, and the prince, after having
buckled his sword to his belt, ascended without accident.
When he entered, the bar was replaced and the window
closed, whilst the page, having seen his master quietly en-
ter the Louvre, to the windows of which he had accom-
panied him twenty times in the same way, laid himself
down in his cloak on the grass of the fosse, and beneath
the shadow of the wall.
The night was extremely dark, and several large rain-
spots fe)l irom the heavy clouds charged with electric
fluid.
7he Duke de Guise followed his conductress, who was
AO other than the daughter of Jacques de Mantignon,
marechal of France. She was the confidant of Marguerite,
who kept no secret from her ; and it was said that amongst
the number of mysteries entrusted to her incorruptible
fidelity, there were some so terrible as to compel her to
keep the rest.
There was no light left either in the lower chamber or
in the corridor, only from time to time a livid glare illu-
minated the dark apartments with a vivid flash, which as
instantly disappeared.
" The duke, still guided by his conductress, who held
his hand, reached a staircase formed in the thickness of
the wall, and which opened by a secret and invisible door
into the antechamber of Marguerite's apartment.
In this antechamber, which was perfectly dark, Gillonne
stopped.
"Have you brought what the queen requested ?" she
inquired, in a low voice.
" Yes," replied the Duke de Guise ; " but I will only
give it to her majesty in person."
" Come, then, and do not lose an instant !" said a voice
from the darkness, which made the duke start, for it was
Marguerite's.
At the same moment a curtain of violet velvet covered
with fleurs-de-lis was raised, and the duke made out the
16 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
form of the queen, who, in her impatience, had come to
meet him:
" I am here, madame," he then said ; and he passed the
curtain, which fell behind him. Gillonne remained in the
antechamber.
As if she comprehended the jealousies of the duke, Mar-
guerite led him to the bed-chamber, and then paused.
*' Well/' she said, " are you content, duke ? "
" Content, madame ? " was the reply " and with what?"
" Of the proof I give you," retorted Marguerite, with
a slight tone of vexation in her voice, " that I belong to a
man, who, on the very night of his marriage, makes me of
such small importance that he does not even come to thank
me for the honor I have done him, not in selecting, but in
accepting him for my husband."
"Oh! madame," said the duke, sorrowfully, "be as-
sured he will come if you desire it."
" And is it you who say that, Henry ? " ried Margue-
rite ; " you, who better than any know the contrary of
what you say. If I had that desire, should I have asked
you to come to the Louvre ! "
"You have asked me to come to the Louvre, Mar-
guerite, because you are anxious to destroy every vestige of
the past, and because that past lives not only in my
memory, but in this silver casket which I bring to you."
"Henry, shall I say one thing to you ?" replied Mar-
guerite ; " it is that you are more like a schoolboy than
a prince. I deny that I have loved you 1 I desire to
quench a flame which will die, perhaps, but whose reflec-
tion will never die ! No, no, duke ; you may keep the
letters of your Marguerite, and the casket she has given
you. From these letters she asks but one, and that only,
because it is as dangerous for you as for herself."
" It is all yours," said the duke.
Marguerite searched anxiously in the open casket,
and with a tremulous hand took, one after the other, a
dozen letters, of which she examined the addresses only,
as if by the inspection alone of these she could recall to
her memory what the letters themselves contained ; bat
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 17
after a close scrutiny, she looked at the duke, pale and
agitated : ,
" Sir," she said, " what I seek is not here. Have you
lost it, by any accident ? "
" What letter do you seek, madame ? "
" That in which I told you to marry without delay."
" As an excuse for your infidelity ? "
Marguerite shrugged her shoulders.
" No ; but to save your life. That one in which I say
to you that the king, seeing our love and my exertions to
break off your proposed espousals with the Infanta of
Portugal, has sent for his brother, the Bastard of Angou-
le'me, and said to him, pointing to two swords, '"With this
slay Henry de Guise this night or with the other I will
slaythee in the morning/ Where is that letter ?"
" Here," said the duke, drawing it from his breast.
Marguerite snatched it from his hands, opened it
anxiously, assured herself that it was really that which she
desired, uttered an exclamation of joy, and applying the
lighted candle to it, the flames instantly consumed the
paper : then, as if Marguerite feared that her imprudent
words might be read in the very ashes, she trampled them
underfoot.
During all this, the Duke de Guise had watched his
mistress attentively.
" Well, Marguerite/' he said, when she had finished,
" are you satisfied now ? "
" Yes, for now you have wedded the Princess de Porcian,
my brother will forgive me your love : whilst he nevei
would have pardoned me for revealing a secret such as
that which in my weakness for you I had not the strength
to conceal from you."
" True," replied De Guise, " then, you loved me."
" And I love you still, Henry, as much more than
ever ! "
"You ....?"
" I do ; for never more than at this moment did I need
a sincere an.d devoted friend. Queen, I have no throne :
wife, I have no husband 1 "
18 MARGUERITE DE VALOK.
The young prince shook his head sorrowfully.
" I tell you, I repeat to you, Henry, that my husband
not only does not love me, but hates despises me ; besides,
methinks, your presence in the chamber in which he ought
to be is full of proof of this hatred, this con tempt. "
" It is not yet late, inadame, and the King of Navarre
requires time to dismiss his gentlemen ; and if he has not
already come, he will not be long first."
" And I tell you," cried Marguerite, with increasing
vexation, " I tell you that he will not come ! "
" Madame!" exclaimed Gillonne, suddenly entering
" the King of Navarre is just leaving his apartment ! "
" Oh, I knew he would come ! " exclaimed the Duke de
Guise.
" Henry/' said Marguerite, in a quick tone, and seizing
the duke's hand, " Henry, you shall see if I am a woman
of my word, and if I may be relied on. Henry, enter that
closet."
" Madame, allow me to go whilst it is yet time, for
reflect that the first mark of love you bestow on him, I
shall quit the cabinet, and then woe to him !"
" Are you mad ? go in go in, I say, and I will be
responsible for all." And she pushed the duke into the
closet.
It was time. The door was scarcely closed behind the
prince, than the King of Navarre, escorted by two pages
who carried eight flambeaux of pink wax in two candelabras,
appeared, smiling, on the threshold of the chamber.
Marguerite concealed her trouble, and made a very low
courtesy.
" You are not yet in bed, madame," observed the B6ar-
nais, with his frank and joyous look. " Were you by
chance waiting for me ? "
" No, sir," replied Marguerite ; " for yesterday you
repeated to me that our marriage was a political alliance,
and that you would never thwart my wishes."
" Assuredly ; but that is no reason why we sho-.ld not
confer a little together. Gillonne, close the door, and
leave us." .
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 19
Marguerite, who was sitting, then rose and extended
her hand, as if to desire the pages to remain.
" Must I call your women ? " inquired the king. " I
will do so, if such be your desire, although I confess that
what I have to say to you would make me prefer our being
alone."
And the King of Navarre advanced towards the closet.
"No!" exclaimed Marguerite, hastily going before
him ; " no there is no occasion for that ; I am ready to
hear you."
The BSarnais had learned what he desired to know he
threw a rapid and penetrating glance towards the cabinet,
as if, in spite of the thick curtain which hung before it,
he would dive into its obscurity, and then, turning his
looks to his lovely wife, pale with terror, he said with the
utmost composure :
" In that case, madame, let us confer for a few moments."
" As your majesty pleases," said the lady, falling into,
rather than sitting upon, the seat which her husband
pointed out to her.
The Bearnais placed himself beside her.
" Madame," he continued, " whatever many persons may
have said, I think our marriage is a good marriage. I
stand well with you you stand well with me."
" But " said Marguerite, alarmed.
" Consequently, we ought," observed the King of
Navarre, " to act to each other like good allies, since we
were to-day allied in the presence of God. Don't you
think so ? "
" Unquestionably, sir."
" I know, madame, how great your penetration is ; I
know how the ground at court is intersected with danger-
ous abysses ; now I am young, and although I never in-
jured any person, I have a great many enemies. In which
camp, madame, ought I to range her who bears my name,
and who has vowed her affection to me at the foot of the
altar?"
" Sir, could you think "
" I think nothing, madame ; I hope and I am anxious
DUMAS VOL. III. 2
20 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
to know that my hope is well founded. It is quite cer-
tain that our marriage is merely a pretext or a snare."
Marguerite started, for perchance the same thought had
occurred to her own mind.
" Now, then, which of the two ? " continued Henry of
Navarre. " The king hates me, the Duke d'Anjou hates
me, the Duke d'Aleu9on hates me, Catherine de Medicis
hated my mother too much not to hate me."
" Oh, sir, what are you saying ? "
" The truth, madame," replied the king ; " and I wish
in order that it may not be supposed that I am the dupe
of the assassination of M. de Mouy and the poisoning of
my mother, that some one were here who could hear me."
" Oh, sir," replied Marguerite, with an air as calm and
smiling as she could assume, " you know very well that
there is no person here but you and myself. "
" It is for that very reason that I thus give vent to my
thoughts ; this it is that emboldens me to declare that I
am not the dupe of the caresses showered on me by the
House of France or the House of Lorraine."
" Sir, sir ! " exclaimed Maguerite.
"Well, what is it, ma mie9" inquired Henry, smiling
in his turn.
"Why, sir, such remarks are very dangerous."
" Not when we are alone," observed the king. " I was
saying "
Marguerite was evidently distressed ; she desired to stop
every word the king uttered, but he continued, with his
apparent indifference
" I was telling you, that I was menaced on all sides ;
menaced by the king, menaced by the Duke d'Alen9on,
menaced by the Duke d'Anjou, menaced by the queen-
mother, menaced by the Duke de Guise, by the Duke de
Mayenne, by the Cardinal de Lorraine menaced, in fact,
by everybody. One feels that instinctively, as you know,
madame. Well, against all these menaces, which must
soon become attacks, I can defend myself by your aid, for
you are beloved by all the persons who detest me."
" I ? " said Marguerite.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 21
"Yes, you," replied Henry, with the utmost easiness
of manner ; ''yes, you are beloved by King Charles, you
are beloved (he laid strong emphasis on the word) by the
Dake d'Alen9on, you are beloved by Queen Catherine, and
you are beloved by the Duke de Guise."
" Sir ! " murmured Marguerite.
" Yes ; and what is there astonishing in the fact of all
the world loving you ? All I have mentioned are your
brothers or relatives. To love one's brothers and relatives
is to live according to the heart of God."
" But what, then," asked Marguerite, greatly over-
come " what would you have ? "
" I would say, that if you will I will not ask you to
love me but if you will be my ally, I could brave every-
thing ; whilst, on the other hand, if you become my
enemy, I am lost."
" Oh, your enemy ! never, sir ! " exclaimed Marguerite.
" And my love never either ?"
" Perhaps "
" And my ally ? "
" Most decidedly."
And Marguerite turned round, and presented her hand
to the king.
Henry took it, kissed it gallantly, and retaining it in
his own, more from a desire of investigation than from
any sentiment of tenderness, said :
" Well, madame, I believe you, and accept the alliance.
They married us without our knowing each other with-
out our loving each other ; they married us without con-
sulting us us whom they united. We therefore owe
nothing to each other, as man and wife ; but we ally our-
selves freely and without any compulsion. We ally our-
selves, as two loyal hearts who owe epch other mutual
protection should ally themselves ; 'tis as such yon under-
stand it ? "
" Yes, sir," said Marguerite, endeavoring to withdraw
her hand.
" Well, then," continued the B6arnais, with his eyes
fixed on the cabinet, " as the first proof of a frank alii-
22 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
ance is the most perfect confidence, I will now, madame,
relate to you, in all its details, the plan I have formed, in
order that we may victoriously meet and overcome all
these enemies. "
" Sir," said Marguerite, turning her eyes toward the
closet, whilst the Bearnais, seeing his trick succeed,
laughed in his sleeve.
"This is what I mean to do," he continued, without
appearing to remark the uneasiness of his young wife, " I
intend "
" Sir," said Marguerite, rising hastily, and seizing the
king's arm " allow me a little breath ; my emotion the
heat overpowers me."
And, in truth, Marguerite was as pale and trembling as
if she was about to fall on the carpet.
Henry went straight to a window, some distance off,
and opened it. This window looked on the river.
Marguerite followed him. " Silence, sire silence, for
pity's sake ! " she murmured.
" What, madame," said the Bearnais, with his peculiar
smile, " did you not say we were alone ? "
" Yes, sir ; but have you not heard me say that by the
aid of a tube introduced into the ceiling or the wall every-
thing could be heard ?"
" Well, madame, well," said the Bearnais, earnestly, and
in a low voice ; " it is true you do not love me, but you
are, at least, honorable."
" What do you mean, sir ? "
" I mean that if you were capable of betraying me, you
would have allowed me to continue, as I might have be-
trayed myself. You stopped me I now know that some
one is concealed here that you are an unfaithful wife,
but a faithful ally ; and at this moment I have more need
of fidelity in politics than in love."
" Sir ! " replied Marguerite, confused.
" Good, good ; we will talk of this hereafter," said
Henry, "when we know each other better."
Then, raising his voice " Well," he continued, " do you
breathe more freely now, madame ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 23
" Yes, sir yes ! "
" Well, then," said the BSarnais, " I will no longer in-
trude on you. I owed you my respects and some advances
towards better acquaintance ; deign, then, to accept them,
as they are offered, with all my heart. Grood night, and
happy slumbers ! "
Marguerite raised to her husband her eyes, brilliant with
gratitude, and in her turn, extended her hand.
" It is agreed," she said.
" Political alliance, frank and loyal ?" asked Henry.
" Frank and loyal," was the reply.
And the Bearnais went towards the door, followed by
Marguerite's look. Then, when the curtain had fallen
between them and the bedchamber :
" Thanks, Marguerite," he said, in a quick and low
tone, " thanks ! You are a true daughter of France. I
leave you quite tranquil ; lacking your love, your friend-
ship will not fail me. I rely on you, as you, for your part,
may rely on me. Adieu, madame."
And Henry kissed his wife's hand, and pressed it gently.
Then with a quick step he returned to his own apartment,
saying to himself in a low voice, in the corridor :
" Who the devil is with her ? Is it the king, or the
Duke d'Anjou, or the Duke d'Alen9on, or the Duke de
Guise ? is it a brother or a lover is it both ? F faith, I
am almost sorry now I asked the baroness for this rendez-
vous ; but, as my word is pledged, and Dariole awaits me,
no matter. Yet, ventre-saint-gris ! this Margot, as my
brother-in-law, King Charles, calls her, is an adorable
creature."
And with a step which betrayed a slight hesitation,
Henry of Navarre ascended the staircase which led to
Madame de Sauve's apartments.
Marguerite had followed him with her eyes until he
disappeared. Then she returned to her chamber and
found the duke at the door of the cabinet. The sight
almost touched her with remorse.
The duke was grave, and his knitted brow bespoke
bitter reflection.
24 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Marguerite is neutral to-day," he said " Marguerite
will be hostile in a week."
" Ah ! you have been listening ? " said Marguerite.
" What else could I do in the cabinet ? "
"And did you find that I behaved otherwise than the
Queen of Navarre should behave ? "
" No ; but differently from the way in which the mis-
tress of the Duke de Guise should behave. "
" Sir," replied the queen, " I may not love my husband,
but no one has the right to require me to betray him.
Would you yourself reveal the secrets of the Princess de
Porcian, your wife?"
" Come, come, madame," answered the duke, shaking
his head, " this is very well; I see that you do not love
me as in those days when you disclosed to me the plot of
the king against me and my party."
" The king was strong, and you were weak ; Henry is
weak, and you are strong. You see I play a consistent
part."
" Only you pass from one camp to another."
"That was a right I acquired, sir, in saving your
life."
" Good, madame : and as when lovers separate, they
return all the gifts that have passed between them, I will
save your life, in my turn, and we shall be quits."
And bowing politely, the duke left the room, nor did
Marguerite attempt to retain him.
In the antechamber he found Gillonne, who guided him
to the window on the ground floor, and in the fosse he
found his page, with whom he returned to the Hdtel de
Guise.
Marguerite went to the opened window.
" What a marriage night ! " she murmured to herself ;
" the husband flies the lover forsakes me ! "
She shut the window, and called Gillonne to help her to
undress aiid retire to bed.
MARGUERITE DE VALOia 25
CHAPTER IIL
THE P E T-K ING.
THE morrow and the following days were passed in a
succession of balls, tournaments, and banquets. The king
seemed to have laid aside his usual melancholy and the
queen-mother was so occupied with embroidery, orna-
ments, and plumes that she could not sleep.
The Huguenots, in some measure appeased, began to
assume silken pourpoints, wear devices, and parade before
certain balconies, as if they were Catholics.
On every side the reaction in favor of the Protestants
was so great, that it seemed that the Court was about to
become Protestant itself ; even the admiral, in spite of
his discernment, was deceived, and was so carried away,
that one evening he forgot for two whole hours his tooth-
pick, which he always used from two o'clock, the hour at
which he dined, until eight o'clock at night, when he
sat down to supper.
The evening on which the admiral thus unaccountably
deviated from his usual habit, King Charles IX. had in-
vited Henry of Navarre and the Duke de Guise to sup with
him : after the repast, he went into his chamber, and was
busily explaining to them the mechanism of a wolf-trap
he had invented, when interrupting himself "The
Admiral does not come to-night," said he ; " who has
seen him to-day, and can tell me anything about him?"
" I have," said the King of Navarre ; " and should
your majesty be anxious about him, I can reassure you, for
I saw him this morning at six, and this evening at seven
o'clock. "
" Ah, ah ! " replied the king, whose eyes were instantly
fixed with a searching expression on his brother-in-law ;
" for a new-married man, Harry, you are very early."
26 MARGUERITE DE VALOB3.
" Yes, sire," answered the King of Navarre, " I wished
to inquire of the admiral, who knows everything, whether
some gentlemen I expect are on their way hither."
" More gentlemen ! why, you had eight hundred on the
day of your wedding, and fresh ones join yon every day.
you are surely not going to invade us? " said Charles IX.,
smiling.
The Duke de Gnise frowned.
" Sire," returned the Bearnais, " a war with Flanders is
spoken of, and I am collecting round me all those gentle-
men of my country whom I think can be useful to your
majesty."
The duke, calling to mind the pretended project Henry
had mentioned to Marguerite the day of their marriage,
listened still more attentively.
" Well, well," replied the king, with a sinister smile,
" the more the better ; let them all come. But who are
these gentlemen? brave ones, I trust?"
"I know not, sire, if my gentlemen will ever equal
those of your majesty, of the Duke d'Anjou, or of the
Duke de Guise, but I know that they will do their best."
" Do you expect many? "
" Ten or twelve, perhaps."
"What are their names ?"
" Sire, I cannot at this moment call any of them to
mind, with the exception of one, whom Teligny recom-
mends to me as a most accomplished gentleman, and
whose name is De la Mole."
" De la Mole ! " said the king, who was perfectly ac-
quainted with the genealogy of all the noble families of
France " is he not a Lerac de la Mole, a Provencal?"
" Exactly so, sire; you see, I recruit even in Provence."
" And I," added the Duke de Guise, with a sarcastic
smile, " go even further than the King of Navarre, for I
seek even in Piedmont all the brave Catholics I can find."
" Catholic or Huguenot," interrupted the king, " it
little matters to me, so they are brave."
The expression of the king's face whilst he uttered these
words, which thus united Catholics and Huguenots in his
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 27
thoughts, was so full of indifference, that the duke him-
self was surprised.
" Your majesty is occupied with the Flemings," said
the admiral, to whom Charles had some days previously
accorded the favor of entering without being announced,
and who had overheard the king's last words.
" Ah ! here is my father, the admiral," cried Charles,
opening his arms. " We were speaking of battles, of
gentlemen, of brave men and he comes. It is like the
loadstone, that attracts the iron. My brother-in-law of
Navarre and my cousin of Guise were speaking of rein-
forcements they expect for your army. That was the
subject of our conversation."
" And these reinforcements are come," said the ad-
miral.
"Have you any intelligence of them, monsieur ?" asked
the Bearnais.
"Yes, my son, and particularly of M. de la Mole; he
was at Orleans yesterday, and will be in Paris to-morrow,
or the day after."
" The devil ! You must be a sorcerer, M. 1' Admiral,"
said the Duke de Guise, " to know what is passing at thirty
or forty leagues' distance. For my part, I should like to
know for a certainty what will happen, or what has hap-
pened, at Orleans."
Coligny remained unmoved by this speech, which evi-
dently alluded to the death of Frai^ois de Guise, the
duke's father, killed before Orleans by Poltrot de M6re,
and not without a suspicion of the admiral's having been
concerned in the murder.
" Sir," replied he, coldly, and with dignity, " I am a
sorcerer whenever I wish to know anything that concerns
my own affairs or those of the king. My courier arrived
an hour ago from Orleans, having traveled, thanks to
the post, thirty-two leagues in a day. As M. de la Mole
only has his own horse, he rides bat ten leagues a day, and
can only arrive in Paris on the 24th. Here is all my
magic."
"Bravo, my father 1" cried Charles IX. ; "teach these
28 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
young men what the wisdom is, accompanied by age,
which has whitened your hair and beard ; so now we will
send them to talk of love and tournaments, and we will
ourselves discourse of our wars. Good councilors make
good kings. Leave us, gentlemen ; we would be alone/*
The two young men left the apartment ; the King of
Navarre first, then the Duke de Guise ; but outside the
door they separated, after a formal salute.
Coligny followed them with his eyes, not without dis-
quietude ; for he never saw these two men, who cherished
so deadly a hate against each other, meet, without a dread
that some spark would kindle a conflagration. Charles
saw what was passing in his mind, and, laying his hand on
his arm :
" Fear nothing, my father : I am here to preserve peace
and obedience. I am really a king, now that my mother
is no longer queen, and she is no longer queen since
Coligny became my father."
"Oh, sire ! " said the admiral, " the Queen Cather-
ine "
" Is a quarrel-monger. Peace is impossible with her.
These Italian Catholics are furious, and will hear of noth-
ing but extermination ; now, for my part, I not only wish
to pacify, but I wish to protect those of the Reformed
religion. The others are too dissolute, and scandalize me
with their amours and their quarrels. Shall I speak
frankly to yon?" continued Charles, redoubling in
energy. " I mistrust every one about me, except my new
friends. I suspect the ambition of Tavannes ; Vieilleville
only cares for good wine, and would betray his king for a
cask of Malvoisie ; Montmorency only thinks of the chase,
and lives amongst his dcgs and falcons ; the Count de
Retz is a Spaniard ; the Guises are Lorraines. I think
there are no true Frenchmen in France, except myself,
my brother-in-law of Navarre, and yourself ; but I am
chained to the throne, and cannot command the army ; it
is as much as I can do to hunt at St. Germains or Ram-
bouillet. My brother-in-law of Navarre is too young and
too inexperienced, besides, he seems to me exactly like his
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 29
father Antoine, mined by women. There is but you, -my
father, who can be called, at the same time, brave as
Caesar and wise as Plato ; so that I scarcely know what
to do keep you near me, as my adviser, or send you to
the army, as its general. If you counsel me, who will
command ? If you command, who will counsel me ? "
" Sire/' said Coligny, " we must conquer first, and
then take counsel after the victory."
" That is your advice so be it. Monday you shall leave
for Flanders, and I for Amboise."
" Your majesty leaves Paris, then ? "
11 Yes ; I am weary of this confusion, and of these fe 1 tes.
I am not a man of action ; I am a dreamer. I was not born
to be a king : I was born to be a poet. You shall form a
council as long as my mother has no influence there, all
will go well. I have already sent word to Eonsard to meet
me, and at this moment I must go and reply to a sonnet
my dear and illustrious poet has sent me. I cannot, there-
fore, now give you the documents necessary to make you
acquainted with the question now debating between Philip
II. and myself. There is, besides, a plan of the campaign
drawn up by my ministers. I will find it all for you, and
give it to you to-morrow."
"At what o'clock, sire ?"
" At ten o'clock ; and if by chance I am busy making
verses, or in my cabinet writing, well you will find all
the papers in this red morocco portfolio. The color is
remarkable, and you .cannot mistake it. I am now going
to write to Eonsard."
" Adieu, sire ! "
" Adieu, my father ! "
" Your hand "
" What, my hand ? In my arms, in my heart, there is
your place ! Come, my old soldier, come ! "
And Charles, drawing Coligny towards him as he in-
clined himself before him, pressed his lips to his forehead.
The admiral wiped a tear from his eyes as he left the
room.
Charles followed him with his eyes as long as he could
30 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
see, and listened as long as he conld catch a sound; and
when he could no longer hear or see anything, he turned
and entered his small armory. This armory was the
favorite apartment of the king. It was there he took
his fencing lessons with Pompee, and his lessons of poetry
with Ronsard. He had assembled there all the most
costly arms he had been able to collect. The walls were
hung with axes, shields, spears, halberds, pistols, and
muskets, and that day a famous armorer had brought
him a magnificent arquebuas, on the barrel of which were
encrusted, in silver, these four verses composed by the
royal poet himself :
" Pour main ten ir la foy,
Je suis belle et fiddle,
Aux ennemis du Roi,
Je suis belle et cruelle."
Charles entered, as we have said, this room, and after
having shut the door by which he had entered, he raised
the tapestry that masked a passage leading into a little
chamber, where a female, kneeling, was saying her prayers.
As this movement was executed noiselessly, and the foot-
steps of the king were deadened by the thick carpet, the
female heard no sound, and continued to pray. Charles
stood for a moment pensively looking at her.
She was a woman of thirty-four or thirty-five years
of age, whose masculine beauty was set off by the costume
of the peasants of Caux. She wore the high cap so much
the fashion at the court of France during the time of Isabel
of Bavaria, and her bodice was red and embroidered with
gold, like those of the contadine of Nettuno and Sora.
The apartment which she had for nearly twenty years
occupied, was close to the bedchamber of the king, and
presented a singular mixture of elegance and rusticity.
The palace had encroached upon the cottage, and the
cottage upon the palace, so that the chamber was between
the simplicity of the peasant and the luxury of the court
lady.
on which she knelt was of oak, beautifully
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 31
carved, covered with velvet, and embroidered with gold,
whilst the Bible (for she was of the Reformed religion),
from which she was reading was very old and torn, like
those found in the poorest cottages.
"Eh, Madelon!" said the king.
The kneeling female lifted her head smilingly at the
well known voice, and rising from her knees,
" Ah ! it is you, my son," said she.
" Yes, nurse, come here."
Charles IX. let fall the curtain, and sat down on the arm
of a large chair. The nurse appeared.
"What do you want with me, Charles ?"
f( Come near, and answer in a low tone."
The nurse approached him with familiarity.
" Here I am," said she ; " speak !"
" Is the person I sent for there ? "
" He has been there half an hour."
Charles rose from his seat, approached the window,
looked to assure himself there were no eavesdroppers, went
towards the door, and looked out there also, shook the
dust from his trophies of arms, patted a large greyhound
which followed him wherever he went, stopping when he
stopped, and moving when he moved then returning to
his nurse :
" Let him come in, nurse," said he.
The nurse disappeared by the same passage by which
she had entered, whilst the king went and leaned against
a table on which were scattered arms of every kind,
scarcely had he done so, when the tapestry was again
lifted, and the person whom he expected entered.
He was a man of about forty, his large gray eyes full of
treachery and falsehood, his nose curved like the beak of
a screech-owl, his cheek-bones prominent. His face in
vain sought to assume an expression of respect, but naught
but fear appeared on his blanched lips.
Charles gently put his hand behind him, and grasped
the butt of a pistol of a new construction, that was dis-
charged not by a match, as formerly, but by a flint brought
in contact with a wheel of steel. He fixed his eyes steadily
32 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
on the newcomer, whilst he whistled with the most per-
fect precision, one of his favorite hunting airs.
After a pause of some minutes, during which the ex-
pression of the stranger's visage grew more and more dis-
composed.
" You are the person," said the king, " called Franyois
de Louviers Maurevel ? "
"Yes, sire."
" Captain of musqueteers ? "
"Yes, Sire."
" I wished to see you."
Maarevel inclined himself profoundly.
"You know," continued Charles, laying a stress on
each word, " that I love all my subjects equally ?"
" I know," stammered Maurevel, ' ' that your majesty
is the father of your people."
" And that the Huguenots and Catholics are equally
my children ? "
Maurevel remained silent, but his agitation was mani-
fest to the piercing eyes of the king, although he was
almost concealed in the obscurity.
" This displeases yon," said the king, " who are so great
an enemy to the Huguenots."
Maurevel fell on his knees.
" Sire," stammered he, " believe that "
"I believe," continued Charles, whose eye now changed
its glassy look for one that seemed of fire " I believe
that you had a great desire at Moncontour to kill the ad-
miral, who has just left me ; I believe you missed your
aim, and that then you entered the army of my brother,
the Due d'Anjou ; I believe that you enlisted into the
company of M. de Mouy de St. Phale."
" Oh, Sire ! "
" A brave gentleman from Picardy."
" Sire, sire 1 " cried Maurevel, " do not overwhelm me/'
"He was a brave soldier," continued Charles, whose
features assumed an aspect of almost ferocious cruelty,
" who received you as if you had been his son ; fed you,
lodged you, and clothed you."
MARGtTERITE DE VALOIS. 33
Maurevel uttered a despairing sigh.
" You called him your father, and a tender friendship
existed between you and the young De Mouy."
Maurevel, still on his knees, bent himself more and
more ; the king stood immovable, like a statue whose lips
only are endowed with vitality.
"By the way," continued the king, " M. de Guise was
to give you ten thousand crowns if you killed the admiral
was he not ? " The assassin struck his forehead against
the floor.
" One day that your father, the Sieur de Mouy, recon-
noitred near Chevreux, he let his whip fall, and dis-
mounted to pick it up. You were then alone with him ;
you took a pistol from your holster, and shot him in the
back ; then seeing he was dead for you killed him on the
spot you escaped on the horse he had given you. This
is your history, I believe ? "
And as Maurevel remained mute under this accusation,
every circumstance of which was true, the king began to
whistle again, with the same precision and melody, the
same hunting air.
" Now then, murderer ! " said he, " do you know I have
a great mind to hang you ? "
" Oh, sire I" cried Maurevel.
" Young De Mouy entreated me to do so only yester-
day, and I scarcely knew what answer to make him, for
his demand was but just."
Maurevel clasped his hands.
" All the more just, since I am, as you say, the father
of my people ; and that, as I answered you now, I being
reconciled to the Huguenots, they are as much my chil-
dren as the Catholics."
" Sire," said Maurevel, in despair, " my life is in your
hands ; do with it what you will."
" You are quite right, and I would not give a halfpenny
for it."
" But, sire," asked the assassin, "is there no means of
ysdeeming my crime ? "
8
34 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" None, that I know of ; only in your place but thank
God I am not "
" Well, sire, were you in my place ? " murmured Mau-
revel.
" I think I could extricate myself," said the king.
Maurevel raised himself on one knee and one hand, fixing
his eyes upon Charles.
" I am very fond of young De Mouy," said the king ;
" but, I am equally fond of my cousin of Guise ; and if
my cousin asked me to spare a man that the other wanted
me to hang, I confess I should be embarrassed ; but for
policy as well as religion's sake I should comply with
Guise's request ; for De Mouy, although a brave gentle-
man, is but a petty personage compared with a prince of
Lorraine."
During these words, Maurevel slowly rose, like a man
whose life is saved.
"As in your situation it is very important to gain
the duke's favor, listen to what he said to me last
night.
Maurevel drew nearer.
" ' Imagine, sire,' said he to me, ' that every morning,
at ten o'clock, my deadliest enemy passes down the Rue
Saint Germain-l'Auxerrois, on his return from the Louvre.
I see him from a barred window in the room of my old
preceptor, the Canon Pierre Pile, and I pray the devil to
open the earth and swallow him in its abysses.' Now,
Maurevel, perhaps if you were the devil, it would please
the duke ? "
" But, sire," stammered Maurevel, "I cannot make the
earth open."
"You made it open, however, wide enough for De
Mouy. It was with a pistol that . Have you this
famous pistol still ?"
" I am a better marksman, sire, with an arquebnss than
a pistol," replied Maurevel, now quite reassured.
" Never mind," said the king ; " I am sure M. de Guise
will not care how it is done, so it be done."
" But," said Maurevel, " I must have a weapon I can
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 35
rely on, as, perhaps, I shall have to fire from a long dis-
tance."
"I have ten arquebnsses in this chamber," replied
Charles IX., "with which I hit a crown-piece at a hun-
dred and fifty paces will you try one ? "
" Most willingly, sire ! " cried Maurevel, advancing to-
wards the one that had been that day brought to the
king.
" No ; not that oue," said the king ; " I reserve that
for myself. Some day I will have a grand hunt, and then
I hope to use it. Take any other you like."
Maurevel detached one from a trophy. " And who is
this enemy, sire ? " asked he.
" How should I know," replied Charles, with a contemp-
tuous look.
" I. must ask M. de Guise, then," faltered Maurevel.
The king shrugged his shoulders.
" Do not ask," said he ; " for M. de Guise will not an-
swer. People do not generally answer such questions ; it
is for those who do not wish to be hanged to guess."
" But how shall I know him ? "
" I tell you he passes the canon's house ever morning
at ten o'clock."
" So many pass, would your majesty deign to give me
any certain sign ? "
" Oh, to-morrow he will carry a red morrocco portfolio
under his arm."
"That is sufficient, sire."
"You have still the horse M. de Mouy gave you, have
you not ? "
" Sire, I have a horse that is fleeter than any other in
France."
" Oh, I am not in the least anxious about you ; only it
is as well to let you know there is a back-door."
" Thanks, sire ; pray Heaven for me ! "
" Oh, pray to the devil rather ; for by his aid only can
you escape a halter."
" Adieu, sire."
"Adieu! By the way, M. de Maurevel, remember.
36 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
that if I hear of you before ten to-morrow, or do not
hear of you afterwards, there is ail oubliette at the Louvre."
And Charles began to whistle, with more than usual
precision, his favorite air.
CHAPTER IV.
THE EVENING OF THE 24TH OF AUGUST, 1572.
OUR readers have not forgotten that in the previous
chapter Henry was anxiously expecting the arrival of a
gentleman named De la Mole.
This young gentleman, as the admiral had anticipated,
entered Paris by the gate of Saint Marcel, the evening of
the 24th of August, 1572 ; and bestowing a contemptuous
glance on the numerous hostelries that displayed their
picturesque signs on either side of him, he rode on into the
heart of the city, and after having crossed the Place
Maubert, Le Petit-Pont, the Pont-N6tre-Dame, and
along the quay, he stopped at the end of the Rue de
TArbre-Sec.
The name pleased him, no doubt, for he entered the
street, and finding on his left a large plate of iron swing-
ing, creaking on its hinges, he stopped, and read these
words, "La belle Etoile," written on a scroll beneath the
sign, which was a most attractive one for a traveler, as it
represented a fowl roasting in the midst of a black sky,
whilst a man in a red cloak held out his hands and his
purse towards it.
" Here," said the gentleman to himself, "is an inn
that promises well, and the landlord must be a most in-
genious fellow. I have always heard that the Rue de
TArbre-Sec was near the Louvre ; and provided that
the interior answers to the exterior, I shall be admirably
lodged."
Whilst this monologue was going on, another person
entered the other end of the street, and stopped also to
admire the sign of La belle Etoile.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 37
The gentleman whom we already know, at least,
by name, rode a white horse, and wore a black doublet
ornamented with jet ; his cloak was of violet velvet, his
boots were of black leather, and the hilts of his sword and
dagger were of steel, beautifully worked ; his age from
twenty-four to twenty-five, his complexion dark, his eyes
blue ; a small mustache shaded a beautifully cut mouth,
full of pearly teeth, that seemed, whenever he showed
them, to light up his whole face with a smile of melan-
choly sweetness.
Nothing could form a greater contrast with him than
the second traveler. Beneath his slouched hat appeared
a profusion of hair, rather red than brown ; large gray
eyes that on the slightest occasion sparkled so fiercely,
that they seemed black ; a fair complexion, a light mus-
tache, and splendid teeth, completed his description ; and lie
was, with his white skin and fine form, what is generally
termed a handsome cavalier, and during the last hour,
which he had employed in staring up at all the windows,
the ladies had honored him with no small share of their
attention.
He it was who first addressed the other gentleman, who
was with himself looking at the sign of La belle Etoile.
" Mordi ! monsieur," s'aid he, with the accent that
characterizes the natives of Piedmont "we are close to
the Louvre, are we not ? At all events, I think your
choice is the same as mine, and I am highly flattered by
it."
" Monsieur," replied the other, with a provincial ac-
cent that rivaled that of his companion, " I believe this
inn is near the Louvre, but I have not yet made up my
mind to enter it."
" You are undecided : the house is tempting, neverthe-
less. You must allow the sign is very inviting."
" Very ! and it is for that very reason I mistrust it, for
Paris is full of sharpers, and you may be just as well
tricked by a sign as by anything else."
" Mordi !" replied the Piedmontese, "I don't care a
fig for their tricks ; and if the host does not serve me a
f < j ' \ o o
V s i V s
;
38 MARGUERITE DE VALOES.
chicken as well roasted as the one on his sign, I will put
him on the spit and roast him instead. Come, let ns
go in."
" You have decided me," said the Provenqal, laughing ;
st precede me, I beg."
" Impossible, monsieur I could not think of it ; for I
am only your most obedient servant, the Count Annibal
de Coconnas."
" And I, monsieur, but the Count Joseph Boniface de
Lerac de la Mole, equally at your service."
" Since that is the case, let us take each other's arm,
and go in so."
The result of this proposition was, that the two young
men got off their horses, threw the bridles to the ostler,
linked arms, adjusted their swords, and advanced towards
the door of the inn, where stood mine host, who did not
seem to notice them, so busy was he talking with a tall
man, wrapped in a large sad-colored cloak like an owl
buried in her feathers.
The two gentlemen were so near the host and his friend
in the sad-colored cloak, that Coconnas, impatient at
being thus neglected, touched his sleeve.
He appeared suddenly to perceive them, and dismissed
his friend with an " Au revoir ! be sure and let me know
the hour appointed."
"Well, monsieur le drdle," said Coconnas, "do not you
see we have business with you ? "
" I beg pardon, gentlemen," said the host ; " I did not
see you."
" Eh, mordi I then you ought to have seen us ; and now
that you do see us, say ' M. le comte/ and not merely
' Monsieur. ' )J
La Mole stood by, leaving Coconnas, who seemed to
have undertaken the affair, to speak ; but it was plain,
from the expression of his face, that he was fully pre-
pared to act upon occasion.
" Well, what is your pleasure, M. le comte ? " asked
the landlord, in a quiet tone.
" Ah, that's better ; is it not ? " said Coconnas, turning
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 39
to La Mole, who inclined his head affirmatively. " Mon-
sier le comte and myself wish to sup and sleep here to-
night.
" Gentlemen," said the host, " I am very sorry, but I
have only one chamber, and I am afraid that would not
suit you."
" So much the better," said La Mole ; " we will go and
lodge somewhere else."
" I shall stay here," said Coconnas ; " my horse is tired.
I will have the room, since you will not."
" Ah ! that is quite different," replied the host, coolly.
"I cannot lodge you at all, then."
"Mordi!" cried Coconnas, "here's a pretty fellow!
Just now you could not lodge us because we were two,
and now you have not room for one. You will not lodge
ns at all, then ? "
" Since you take this high tone, gentlemen, I will an-
swer you frankly."
" Answer, then ; only answer quickly."
" Well, then, I would rather not have the honor of lodg-
ing you at all."
"For what reason?" asked Coconnas, growing white
with rage.
" Because you have no servants, and for one master's
room full, I should have two servants' rooms empty ; so
that, if I let you have the master's room, I run the risk
of not letting the others."
" M. de la Mole," said Coconnas, " do you not think we
ought to thrash this fellow ?"
" Decidedly," said La Mole, preparing himself, together
with Coconnas, to lay his whip over the host's back."
But the landlord, despite this demonstration, contented
himself with retreating a step or two.
" It is easy to see," said he in a tone of raillery, " that
these gentlemen are from the provinces. At Paris, it is
no longer the fashion to kill innkeepers only great men
are killed nowadays ; and if you make any disturbance,
I will call my neighbors, and instead of you beating me,
you shall be beaten yourselves."
40 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Mordi!" cried Coconnas, in a rage ; " he is laughing
at us."
" Gregoire, my arquebuss," said the host, with the same
yoice with which he would have said, " Give these gentle-
men a chair."
" Trippe del papa ! " cried Coconuas, drawing his sword ;
" rouse yourself M. de la Mole."
"No, no ; for whilst we rouse ourselves, our supper will
get cold."
" What, you think " cried Coconnas.
" That M. de la Belle Etoile is right ; only he does not
know how to treat his guests, especially when they are
gentlemen ; for instead of saying, ' Gentlemen I do not
want you/ he should have said, ' Enter, gentlemen ' at
the same time reserving to himself the right to charge in his
bill Master's room, so much ; servants, so much." With
these words, La Mole pushed the host, who was looking
for his arquebuss, on one side, and entered with Coconnas.
"Well," said Coconnas, "I am sorry to sheathe my
sword before I have ascertained that it is as sharp as that
rascal's larding-needle."
" Patience, my dear friend/' said La Mole. " All the
inns in Paris are full of gentlemen come to attend the
King of Navarre's marriage, and we shall have great diffi-
culty in finding another apartment ; besides, perhaps it
is the custom to receive strangers at Paris in this manner."
Mordi ! how quiet you are, M. de la Mole !" muttered
Coconnas, curling his red mustache with rage. " But
let the scoundrel take care ; for if his meat be not ex-
cellent, if his bed be hard, his wine less than three years
in bottle, and his waiter be not as pliant as a reed "
" Ah, ah ! " said the landlord, whetting his knife on a
strap, "you may make yourself easy ; you are in a laud
of plenty."
Then, in a low tone, he added " These are some
Huguenots ; they have grown so insolent since the mar-
riage of their B6arnais with Mademoiselle Marguerite ! "
Then,with a smile that would have made his guests shudder
had they seen it :
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 41
" How strange it would be if I were just to have two
Huguenots come to my house, when "
"Now, then," interrupted Coconnas, "are we going to
have any supper ? "
" Yes, as soon as you please, monsieur/' returned the
host, softened, no doubt, by the last reflection.
"Well, then, the sooner the better," said Coconnas;
and turning to La Mole :
" Pray, M. le comte, whilst our room is being prepared
tell me, do you think Paris seems a gay city ? "
"Ma foil no," said La Mole. "All the Parisians I
saw had most forbidding faces ; perhaps they are afraid
of the storm ; for the sky looks very black, and the air
feels heavy."
" Are you not looking for the Louvre, count ? "
"Yes ! and you also, Monsieur de Coconnas."
" Well, let us look for it together."
" It is rather late to go out, is it not ? " said La Mole.
" Early or late, I must go out : my orders are peremp-
tory ' Come instantly to Paris, and communicate with
the Duke de Guise without delay/ '
At the name of the Duke de Guise, the landlord drew
nearer.
"I think the rascal is listening to us," said Coconnas,
who could not forgive the host his rude reception of them.
" I am listening, gentlemen," replied he, taking off his
cap ; " but it is to serve you. I heard the great duke's
name mentioned, and I came immediately. What can I
do for you ? "
" Ah ! this name is magical, since it renders you so
polite. Tell me, master what's your name ? "
" La Huridre," replied the host, bowing.
" Well, Master la Huriere do you think my arm is lighter
than the Due de Guise's, who makes you so civil ? "
" No, M. le comte ; but it is not so long ; besides, I
must tell you, that the great Henry is the idol of th?
Parisians."
" What Henry ? " asked La Mole.
" There is only one."
42 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"Which ?"
" Henry de Guise ! "
" You are mistaken ; there is another, whom I desire
you do not speak ill of, and that is Henry of Navarre,
besides Henry de Cond6, who has his share of merit."
" I do not know them/' said the landlord.
" But I do ; and as I am directed to the King of Na-
varre, I desire you not to speak slightingly of him before
me."
The host only replied by touching his cap, and con-
tinued speaking to Coconnas :
" Monsieur is going to see the great Duke de Guise.
Monsieur is very fortunate. He is come, no doubt,
for "
" What ? " asked Coconnas.
" For the fe'te," replied the host, with a singular smile.
"For all the f6tes," replied Coconnas ; "for Paris is, I
hear, a succession of fe'tes. Does not every one find
plenty of amusement ?"
" Pretty well ; but they will have more soon, I hope."
" The marriage of the King of Navarre has brought a
great many people to Paris, has it not ? " said La Mole.
" A great many Huguenots yes," replied La Hnri^re,
but suddenly changing his tone :
" Pardon me, gentlemen," said he ; " perhaps you are
of that religion ? "
" I," cried Coconnas, " I am as good a Catholic as the
pope himself."
La Huri&re looked at La Mole, but La Mole did not, or
would not comprehend him.
" If you do not know the King of Navarre," said La
Mole, " perhaps you know the admiral. I have heard he
has some influence at court, and as I have letters for him,
perhaps you will so far sully your mouth as to tell me
where he lives ? "
" He did live in the Rue de Bethisy," replied the host,
with a satisfaction he could not conceal.
" He did live ? " said La Mole. " He has left, then ? "
" Yes this world, perhaps."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 43
" What ! " cried both the gentlemen together, " the
admiral dead ? "
" What, M. de Coconnas, are you a friend of the Duke
de Guise, and not know that ? "
" Know what ? "
" That the day before yesterday the admiral was passing
before the house of the Canon Pierre Piles, when he was
fired at
" And killed ? " said La Mole.
" No ; he had his arm broken and two fingers taken off j
but it is hoped the balls were poisoned."
" How, wretch ! " cried La Mole ; " hoped ? "
" Believed, I mean/' said the host, winking at Cocon-
nas ; " it was a slip of the tongue."
' ' Really ! " said Coconnas, joyfully.
" Really ! " said La Mole, sorrowfully.
" It is just as I tell you, gentlemen," said the host.
" In that case," said La Mole, " I must go instantly to
the Louvre. Shall I find the King of Navarre there ? "
" Most likely, since he lives there."
" And I," said Coconnas, " must also go to the Louvre.
Shall I find the Duke de Guise there ? "
" Most likely ; for he has this instant passed with two
hundred gentlemen."
" Come, then, M. de Coconnas," said La Mole.
" I am ready," returned he.
" But your supper, gentlemen !" cried La Huri^re^
" Ah," said La Mole, " I shall most likely sup with the
King of Navarre."
" And I," said Coconnas, " with the Duke de Guise."
" And I," said the host, after having watched the two
gentlemen take the road to the Louvre, " I will go and
burnish my steel cap, put a match to my arqnebuss, and
sharpen my partisan, for no one knows what may happen/ r
DUMAS VOL. III. 3
44 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS,
CHAPTER V.
OF THE LOUVEB IN PAETICULAE, AND OF VIETUE Iff
GENERAL.
THS two young men, directed by the first person they
met, went down the Rue d'Averon, the Rue St. Germain-
1'Auxerrois, and soon found themselves before the Louvre,
whose towers were beginning to be lost in the darkness of
the night.
" What is the matter with you ?" asked Coconnas of
La Mole, who stopped before the old chateau, and gazed,
not without awe, on the drawbridges, the narrow windows,
and the pointed belfries, presented to him.
" I scarcely know/* said La Mole ; " my heart beats
strangely. I am not timid, but this old palace seems so
gloomy and terrible."
" For my part," replied Coconnas, " I feel in excellent
spirits. My dress is rather disordered," continued he,
"but never mind ; it will prove I have obeyed my instruc-
tions, and come promptly on my arrival."
The two young men continued their way, each influ-
enced by the feelings he had expressed.
The Louvre was guarded with more than usual care,
and all the sentinels were doubled. Our cavaliers were
somewhat embarrassed, therefore, but Coconnas, who had
remarked that the Duke de Guise's name acted like a talis-
man on the Parisians, approached the sentinel, and mak-
ing use of the duke's name, demanded to enter. The
name seemed to produce its ordinary effect upon the
soldier, who, however, asked Coconnas if he had the
countersign.
Coconnas was forced to confess he had not.
" Stand back, then," said the soldier.
At this moment, a person who was talking with the
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. 45
officer of the guard when Coconnas demanded leave to
enter, advanced to him.
" What do you want with M. de Guise?" asked he,
with a strong German accent.
" I wish to see him," said Cocounas.
" Impossible the duke is with the king."
" But I have a letter for him."
" Ah, that is different. What is your name ? "
" The Count Annibal de Coconnas."
" Will Monsieur Annibal give me the letter ? "
"On my word," said La Mole to himself, "I hope I
may find another gentleman, equally polite, to conduct
me to the King of Navarre."
" Give me the letter," said the German gentleman,
holding out his hand towards Coconnas.
" Mordi ! " replied the Piedrnontese, " I scarcely know
whether I ought, as I have not the honor of knowing
you."
"It is Monsieur de Besme," said the sentinel, "you
may safely give him your letter, I'll answer for it."
"M. de Besme !" cried Coconnas'; " with the greatest
pleasure. Here is the letter. Pardon my hesitation ; but
when one is entrusted with an important commission, one
ought to be careful."
" There is no need of any excuse," said De Besme.
" Perhaps, sir," said La Mole, " you will be so kind as
to do the same for my letter that you have done for that
of my friend ? "
" Who are you, monsieur ?"
" The Count Lerac de la Mole."
" I don't know the name."
" No doubt ; for I am only just arrived in Paris, for
the first time."
" Where do you come from ?"
" From Provence."
" With a letter also ?"
" Yes."
" For the Duke de Guise ?"
" No : for the King of Navarre."
46 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" I am not in the service of the King of Navarre," said
De Besme, coldly, " and therefore I cannot take your
letter."
And turning on his heel, he entered the Louvre, bid-
ding Coconnas follow him.
La Mole was left alone.
At this moment a troop of cavaliers, p.bout a hundred
in number, came out from the Louvre.
" Ah, ah ! " said the sentinel to his comrade, " here
come De Mouy and his Huguenots ! See how joyous they
all are. The king has promised them, no doubt, to put
to death the assassin of the admiral ; and as it was he
who murdered De Mouy*s father, the son will kill two
birds with one stone."
" Did you not say/' interrupted La Mole, " that this
officer is M. de Mouy ? "
" Yes, monsieur."
" Thank you," said La Mole. " That was all I wished
to know ; " and advancing to the chief of the cavaliers.
" Sir," said he, " I am told you are M. de Mouy."
" Yes, sir," returriecl the officer, courteously. " May I
inquire whom I have the honor of addressing ?"
" The Count Lerac de la Mole."
The young men bowed to each other.
" What can I do for you, monsieur ? " asked De Mouy.
" Monsieur, I am just arrived from Aix, and I have a
letter from M. d'Aunac, governor of Provence, for the
King of Navarre. How can I give it to him ? How can
I enter the Louvre ? "
" Nothing is easier than to enter the Louvre," replied
De Mouy ; " but I fear the king will be unable to see you
at this hour. I will, however, if you please, conduct you
to his apartments, and then yon must manage for yourself."
" A thousand thanks ! "
" Come then," said De Mouy.
De Mouy dismounted, advanced towards the wicket,
passed the sentinel, conducted La Mole into the chateau,
and, opening the door leading to the king's apartments :
ff Enter, and inquire for yourself, monsieur," said he.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 4-7
And saluting La Mole, he retired.
La Mole, left alone, looked round. The anteroom was
vacant. He advanced a few paces and found himself in a
" I will walk straight on," thought he, "and I must
meet some one."
Suddenly the door opposite that by which he had en-
tered opened, and two pages appeared, lighting a lady of
noble bearing and exquisite beauty.
The glare of the torches fell full on La Mole, who stood
motionless.
The lady stopped also.
" What do you want, sir ? " said she, in a voice of
exquisite sweetness.
" Oh, madame," said La Mole, " pardon me ; I have
just left M. de Mouy, who was so good as to conduct me
here, and I wish to see the King of Navarre."
" The king is not here, sir ; he is with his brother-in-
law. But, in his absence, could you not say to the
queen "
"Oh, yes, madame," returned La Mole, "if I could
obtain audience of her."
" You have it already, sir "
" What 1 " cried La Mole.
" I am the Queen of Navarre."
La Mole started with surprise.
"Speak, sir," said Marguerite, "but speak quickly, for
the queen-mother is waiting for me."
" If the queen-mother waits for you, madame," said La
Mole, " suffer me to leave you, for I am incapable of col-
lecting my ideas, or of thinking of aught but admiration."
Marguerite advanced graciously towards the handsome
young man, who, without knowing it, acted like a finished
courtier.
" Eecover yourself, sir," said she ; " I will wait."
" Pardon me, madame," said La Mole, " that I did not
salute you with the respect due to you, but "
" You took me for one of my ladies ? " said Marguerite,
smiling.
48 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" No ; but for the shade of the beautiful Diana of Poic-
tiers, who is said to haunt the Louvre."
" Come, sir," said Marguerite, " I see you will make
your fortune at court ; your letter was not needed, but
still, give it me : I will take care the King of Navarre has
it."'
In an instant La Mole threw open his doublet, and drew
from his breast a letter enveloped in silk. Marguerite
took the letter, and glanced at the writing.
" Are you not M. de la Mole ? " asked she.
" Yes, madame. Can I hope my name is not unknown
to you?"
" I have heard my husband, and the Due d'Alen9on,
my brother, speak of you. I know they expect you."
And she placed the letter in her corsage, glittering with
gold and diamonds.
"Now, sir," said she, "descend to the gallery below,
and wait until some one comes to you from the King of
Navarre. One of my pages will show you the way."
And Marguerite disappeared, like a dream.
" Are you coming, sir ? " cried the page who was to
conduct La Mole to the lower gallery.
" Oh, yes yes ! " cried La Mole, joyfully ; for, as the
page led him the same way that Marguerite had gone by,
he hoped to see her again.
As he descended the staircase, he perceived her below ;
and whether she heard his step, or by chance, she looked
round, and La Mole saw her features a second time.
The page preceding La Mole descended a story lower,
opened one door, then another, and stopping " It is here
you are to wait," said he.
La Mole entered the gallery, the door- of which closed
after him.
The gallery was vacant, with the exception of one gen-
tleman, who was sauntering up and down, and seemed also
waiting for some one.
It was so dark, that though not twenty paces apart, it
was impossible for either to recognize the other's face.
La Mole drew nearer.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 49
" By Heaven ! " muttered he " here is M. de Coconnas
again ! "
At the sound of footsteps, Coconnas turned, and recog-
nized La Mole.
" Mordi!" cried he. "The devil take me, but here is
M. de la Mole ! What am I doing ? Swearing in the
king's palace. Well, never mind ; the king does not much
care where he swears. Here we are at last, then, in the
Louvre ! "
" Yes : I suppose M. de Besme introduced you ? "
" Oh, he is the most polite German I ever met with.
Who brought you in ?"
"M. de Mouy. I told you the Huguenots had some
interest at court. Have you seen M. de Guise ? "
" No not yet. Have you obtained an audience of the
King of Navarre ? "
" No but I soon shall. I was conducted here, and told
to wait."
" Ah, you will see we shall be invited to some grand
sapper, and placed side by side. How singular! We
seem inseparable. By the way, are you hungry ? "
"No/'
" And yet you seemed anxious to taste the good cheer of
La Belle Etoile."
At this moment the door communicating with the king's
apartment opened, and M. de Besme entered.
He scrutinized both gentlemen, and then motioned
Coconnas to follow him.
Coconnas waved his hand to La Mole.
De Besme traversed a gallery, opened a door, and stood
at the head of a staircase.
He looked cautiously round, and,
" M. de Coconnas," said he " where are you staying?"
' 'At the Belle Etoile, Hue de 1'Arbre-Sec."
" Ah, that is close by. Keturn to your hotel, and to-
night-"
" Well, to-night? "
" Come here, with a white cross in your hat. The pass-
word is ' Guise.' Hush ! not a word."
50 MARGUERITE DE VALOI&
" What time am I to come? "
" When you hear the tocsin."
" Good I shall be here," said Coconnas.
And, saluting De Besme, he betook himself to the
hostelry of La Belle Etoile.
At this instant the door of the King of Navarre's apart-
ment opened, and a page appeared.
" You are the Count de la Mole?" said he.
"That is my name/'
"Where do you lodge?"
"At the Belle Etoile."
" That, is close to the Louvre. His majesty the King
of Navarre has desired me to inform you that he cannot
at present receive you : perhaps he may send for you to-
night ; but, at all events, come to the Louvre to-morrow."
"But the sentinel will refuse me admission."
"True : the countersign is ' Navarre ;'that will secure
your entrance."
"Thanks."
The first thing La Mole saw on entering the inn was
Coconnas seated before a large omelette.
" Oh, oh ! " cried Coconnas, laughing, " I see yon have
no more dined with the King of Navarre than I have
supped with the Duke de Guise."
" Ma foil no."
" Are you hungry now ? "
" Yes, very."
"Well, then, sit down, and partake of my omelette."
" I see that fate makes us inseparable. Do you sleep
here?"
" I don't know."
" More do I."
"Well, then, I know where I shall pass the night."
"Where?"
"Wherever you do ; that is inevitable."
Thus saying, the two gentlemen fell to work on the ome-
let of Maitre la Huriere."
MARGUERITE DE VALOISi 51
CHAPTER VI.
THE DEBT PAID.
Now, if the reader is curious to know why M. de la
Mole had not been received by the King of Navarre, why M.
de Cocouuas had not seen M. de Guise, and why both, in-
stead of supping at the Louvre, on pheasants, partridges,
and kid, supped at the hotel of the Belle Etoile on an
omelette, he must kindly accompany us to the old palace
of kings, and follow the queen, Marguerite of Navarre, of
whom La Mole had lost sight at the entrance of the grand
gallery.
Whilst Marguerite was descending this staircase, the
duke, Henry de G-uise, whom she had not seen since the
night of her marriage, was in the king's closet. To this
staircase, which Marguerite was descending, there was an
outlet. To the closet in which M. de Guise was, there
was a door, and this door and this outlet both led to a
corridor, which corridor led to the apartments of the
queen-mother Catherine de Medicis.
Catherine de Medicis was alone, seated near a table,
with her elbow leaning on a Prayer-book half open, and
her head leaning on a hand still remarkably beautiful
thanks to the cosmetics with which she was supplied by
the Florentine, Rene, who united the double duty of per-
fumer and poisoner to the queen-mother.
The widow of Henry II. was clothed in mourning, which
she had not thrown off since her husband's death. At
this period she was about fifty-two or fifty-three years of
age, and preserved a figure full of freshness and still of
considerable beauty. Her, apartment like her costume,
was all mourning. By her side was a small Italian grey-
hound, called Phoebe, a present from her son-in-law, Henry
of Navarre.
Suddenly, and at a moment when the queen-mother
52 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
appeared plunged in some thought which brought a smile
to her lips, colored with carmine, a man opened the
door, raised the tapestry, and showed his pale visage, say-
ing, " All goes badly."
Catherine raised her head, and recognized the Duke
de Guise.
" How * all goes badly ' ?" she replied. " What mean
you, Henry ?"
" I mean that the king is more then ever taken with
the accursed Huguenots ; and if we await his leave to ex-
ecute the great enterprise, we shall wait a very long time,
and perhaps forever/'
" What, then, has happened ? " inquired Catherine, still
preserving the tranquillity of countenance that was habitual
to her, and yet to which when occasion served, she could
give so different an expression.
" Why, just now, for the twentieth time, I opened the
conversation with his majesty as to whether he would still
permit all those bravadoes which the gentlemen of the
Eeformed religion indulge in, since the wound of their
admiral. "
"And what did my son reply ?" asked Catherine.
" He replied, ' Monsieur le Due, you must necessarily
be suspected by the people as the author of the attempted
assassination of my second father, the admiral ; defend
yourself from the imputation as best you may. As to me,
I will defend myself properly, if I am insulted ; and then
he turned away to feed his dogs."
" And you made no attempt to retain him ! "
" Yes ; but he replied to me, in that tone which yon so
well know, and looking at me with the gaze peculiar to
him, * M. le Due, my dogs are hungry ; and they are
not men, whom I can keep waiting.' Whereupon I came
straight to you."
" And you have done right," said the queen-mother.
"But what is now to be done F"
" Try a last effort."
"And who will try it ?"
*' I ! Is the king alone ? *'
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 53
" No ; M. de Tavannes is with him."
"Await me here ; or, rather, follow me at a distance."
Catherine rose and went to the chamber, where, on
Turkey carpets and velvet cushions, were the favorite
greyhounds of the king. On perches ranged along the
wall were two or three favorite falcons and a small pied
hawk, with which Charles IX. amused himself in bringing
down the small birds in the garden of the old Louvre,
and that of the Tuileries, which they had just commenced
building.
On her way the queen-mother arranged her counte-
nance into a pale and agonizing look, down which rolled a
last or rather a first tear.
She approached Charles IX. noiselessly, as he was
giving his dogs fragments of cakes cut into equal por-
tions.
" My son," said the queen, with such a tremulous voice,
so adroitly managed, that the king started.
" What would you, madame ! " said Charles, turning
round suddenly.
" I would, my son," replied Catherine, "request your
leave to retire to one of your chateaux, no matter which,
so that it be as distant as possible from Paris."
"And wherefore, madame?" inquired Charles IX.,
fixing on his mother that glassy eye, which, on certain
occasions, became so penetrating.
" Because every day I receive new insults from persons
of the new faith ; because to-day I hear that you have
been freshly menaced by the Protestants, even in your
own Louvre, and I do not desire to be present at such
spectacles."
"But, then, madame," replied Charles IX. with an
expression full of conviction, "they have attempted to
kill their admiral. An infamous murderer has already
assassinated the brave M. de Mouy. Mort de ma vie !
mother, there must be justice in a kingdom 1 "
" Oh, be easy on that head, my son," said Catherine ;
" justice will not be wanting to them ; for if you should
refuse it, they will still have it in their own way : on
54 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
M. de Guise to-day, on me to-morrow, and yourself here-
after."
" Oh, madame ! " said Charles, allowing a first accent
of doubt to break through, " do you think so ?"
"Oh, my son," replied Catherine, giving way entirely
to the violence of her thoughts, " do yon not see that it is
no longer a question of the death of Frangois de Guise or
the admiral, of Protestant religion or Catholic, but simply
of the substitution of the son of Antoine de Bourbon for
the son of Henry the Second ? "
" Come, come, mother, you are falling again into your
usual exaggeration," said the king.
" What is, then, your opinion, my son ?"
" To wait, mother to wait. All human wisdom is in
this single word. The greatest, the strongest, the most
skilful, is he who knows how to wait."
" Do you wait, then : I will not."
And on this Catherine made a curtsey, and, advancing
towards the door, was about to return to her apartment.
Charles IX. stopped her.
" Well, then, really, what is best to be done, mother ? "
he asked, " for I am just, before everything, and I would
have every one satisfied with me."
Catherine turned towards him.
" Come, count," she said to Tavannes, who was caressing
the pied hawk, "and tell the king your opinion as to
what should be done."
"Will your majesty permit me ?" inquired the count.
" Speak, Tavannes ! speak."
" What does your majesty do when, in the chase, the
wounded boar turns on you ?"
" Mordieu, sir, I await him, with firm foot and hand,"
replied Charles, "and stab him in the throat with my
good sword."
" Simply, that he may not hurt you," remarked Cath-
erine.
" And to amuse myself," said the king, with a smile
which indicated courage pushed even to ferocity ; " but I
will not amuse myself with killing my subjects j for, after
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 55
all, the Huguenots are my subjects, as well as the Cath-
olics. "
" Then, sire," said Catherine, " your subjects, the
Huguenots, will do like the wild boar who escapes the sword
thrast at his throat : they will bring down the throne/'
" Bah 1 Do you really think so, madame ? " said Charles
IX., with an air which denoted that he did not place
great faith in his mother's predictions.
"But have you not seen M. de Mouy and his party to-day ? "
"Yes ; I have seen them, and indeed just left them.
But what does he ask for that is not just ? He has re-
quested the death of the murderer of his father and the
assassin of the admiral. Did we not punish M. de Mont-
gomery for the death of my father and your husband,
although that death was a simple accident ? "
*"Tis well, sir," said Catherine, piqued ; "let us say no
more. Your majesty is under the protection of that
God who gives strength, wisdom, and confidence. But
I, a poor woman, whom God abandons, no doubt, on
account of my sins, fear, and give way." And Catherine
again curtseyed and left the room, making a sign to the
Duke de Guise, who had at that moment entered, to
remain in her place, and try a last effort.
Charles IX. followed his mother with his eye, but this
time did not recall her. He then began to caress his dogs,
whistling a hunting air.
He suddenly paused.
" My mother," said he, " is a right royal spirit, and
doubts of nothing. Really, now, it is a cool proposal, to
kill off some dozens of Huguenots, because they come to
demand justice, as if it were not their right !"
" Some dozens ! " murmured the Duke de Guise.
" Ah ! are you there, sir ? " said the king, appearing to
see him for the first time. " Yes, some dozens. A
tolerable waste of life ! Ah ! if any one came to me and
said : * Sire, you shall be rid of all your enemies at once,
and to-morrow there shall not remain one to reproach you
with the death of the others/ why, then, I do not say "
. "Well, sire!"
56 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Tavannes," said the king, "you will tire Margot ; put
her back on her perch. It is no reason, because she bears
the name of my sister, the Queen of Navarre, that all the
world should caress her."
Tavannes put the hawk on her perch, and amused him-
self by playing with a greyhound's ears.
1 ' But, sire, if any one should say to your majesty :
' Sire, your majesty shall be delivered from all your enemies
to-morrow ' ? "
" And by the intercession of what saint would this great
miracle be effected ? "
" Sire, we are to-day at the 24th of August, and it will
therefore be by the interposition of Saint Bartholomew."
"A worthy saint/' replied the king, "who allowed
himself to be skinned alive ! "
" So much the better ; the more he suffered, the more
he ought to have felt" a desire for vengeance on his execu-
tioners."
"And is it you, my cousin," said the king, "is it yon,
with your pretty little gold-hilted sword, who will to-
morrow slay ten thousand Huguenots ? Ah, ah ! mort de
ma vie ! you are very amusing, M. De Guise ? " And the
king burst into loud laughter, but a laughter so forced
that the room echoed with its sinister sound.
" Sire, one word and one only," continued the duke,
shuddering in spite of himself at the sound of this laugh,
which had nothing human in it " one sign, and all is
ready. I have the Swiss and eleven hundred gentlemen ;
I have the light horse and the citizens on my side ; your
majesty has your guards ; your friends, the Catholic
nobility. We are twenty to one."
" Well, then, cousin of mine, since you are so strong,
why the devil do yon come to fill my ears with all this !
Act without me act "
And the king turned again to his dogs.
Then the tapestry suddenly moved aside, and Catherine
reappeared.
" All goes well," she said to the duke ] " urge him,
and he will yield."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 57
And the tapestry fell on Catherine without the king
seeing, or at least appearing to see her.
" But yet," continued De Guise, " it is necessary I
should know, if, in acting as I desire, I shall act agree-
ably to your majesty's views."
" Really, cousin Henry, you put your knife to my
throat ! But I shall resist. Mordieu 1 am I not the
king?"
"No, not yet, sire ; but, if you will, you shall be so to-
morrow."
" Ah what ! " continued Charles, " you would kill the
King of Navarre, the Prince de Cond6, in my Louvre
ah 1 " Then he added, in a voice scarcely audible " With-
out the walls, I do not say "
"Sire," cried the duke, "they are going out this
evening, to join in a revel with your brother, the Duke
d'Alengon."
"Tavannes," said the king, with well-affected impa-
tience, " do not you see that you annoy Actason ? Here
boy here 1"
And Charles IX. quitted the apartment, without wait-
ing to hear more, and leaving Tavannes and the Duke de
Guise almost as uncertain as before.
Another scene was passing in Catherine's apartments,
who, after she had given the Duke de Guise her counsel
to remain firm, had returned to her rooms, where she found
assembled the persons who usually assisted at her going
to bed.
Her face was now as full of joy as it had been downcast
when she set out. One by one she dismissed her women,
and there only remained Madame Marguerite, who, seated
on a coffer near the open window, was looking at the sky,
absorbed in thought.
Two or three times, when she thus found herself alone
with her daughter, the queen-mother opened her mouth
to speak, but each time a gloomy thought withheld the
words ready to escape her lips.
Suddenly the tapestry moved, and Henry of Navarre
appeared.
58 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
The little greyhound, which was asleep on a sofa, leaped
towards him at a bound.
" You here, my son ! " said Catherine, starting. ' * Do
you sup in the Louvre to-night ? "
" No, madame," replied Henry, " we are going into the
city to-night, with Messieurs d'Alen9on and De Oonde.
I almost expected to find them here."
Catherine smiled.
" Ah ! you men are so happy to have such liberty ! Are
they not, dear daughter ? "
" Yes," replied Marguerite, " liberty is so glorious, so
sweet a thing."
"Would you imply that I restricted you, madame?"
inquired Henry, bowing to his wife.
"No, sir ; it is not for myself that I complain, but for
women in general/'
" Who goes there ? " asked Catherine, suddenly, and at
the same moment the tapestry was raised, and Madame de
Sauve showed her lovely head.
" Madame," she said, " it is Ren6, the perfumer, whom
your majesty sent for."
Catherine cast a glance as quick as lightning at Henry
of Navarre. The young prince turned slightly red, and
then fearfully pale. The name of his mother's assassin
had been mentioned in his presence ; he felt that his face
betrayed his emotion, and he leaned against the bar of
the window.
The little greyhound growled.
At the same moment, two persons entered ; the one an-
nounced, and the other having no need to be so.
The first was Ren6, the perfumer, who approached
Catherine with all the servile obsequiousness of Florentine
servants. He held in his hand a box, which he opened,
and all the compartments were seen filled with powders
and flasks.
The second was Madame de Lorraine, the eldest sister
of Marguerite. She entered by a small private door, which
led from the King's closet, and. all pale and trembling,
and hoping not to be observed by Catherine, who was ex-
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 59
amining, with Madame de Sauve, the contents of the box
brought by Ren6, seated herself beside Marguerite, near
whom the King of Navarre was standing, with his hand
on his brow, like one who tries to rouse himself from some
sudden shock.
At this instant Catherine turned round.
" Daughter/' she said to Marguerite, " you may retire
to your chamber. My son, you may go and recreate
yourself in the city."
Marguerite rose, and Henry turned half round.
Madame de Lorraine seized Marguerite's hand.
" Sister," she whispered, with great quickness, " in the
name of the Duke de Guise, who now saves you, as you saved
him, do not go hence do not go to your apartments."
"Eh ! what say you, Claude?" inquired Catherine,
turning round.
"Nothing, mother."
" What did you whisper to Marguerite ? "
" Only a message from the Duchess de Nevers."
" And where is the lovely duchess ? *'
" With her brother-in-law, M. de Guise."
Catherine looked suspiciously at her two daughters,
and frowned.
" Come here, Claude," said the queen-mother.
Claude obeyed, and the queen seized her hand.
" What have you said to her, indiscreet girl that you
are ? " she murmured, squeezing her daughter's wrist
until she nearly shrieked with pain.
" Madame," said Henry to his wife, he having lost
nothing of the movements of the queen, Claude, or Mar-
guerite " Madame, will you allow me the honor of kiss-
ing your hand ? "
Marguerite extended her trembling hand.
" What did she say to you ? " murmured Henry, as he
stooped to imprint a kiss on her hand.
" Not to go out. In the name of Heaven, therefore, do
not you go out either 1 "
This was but a slight gleam ; but by its light, rapid as
it was, Henry at once saw through the whole plot.
60 MARGUERITE DE VALOI8.
" This is not all," added Marguerite ; " here is a letter,
which a country gentleman brought."
"M. do la Mole ?"
" Yes."
"Thanks," ho said, taking the letter, and putting it
under his doublet ; and passing in front of his bewildered
wife, he placed his hand on the shoulder of the Florentine.
" Well, Master Ren6 ! " he said, " and how goes on busi-
ness?"
" Pretty well, monseigneur pretty well," replied the
poisoner, with his perfidious smile.
"I should think so," said Henry, "with men who, like
you, supply all the crowned heads at home and abroad."
" Except the King of Navarre," replied the Florentine,
impudently.
" Ventre-saint-gris, Master Rene," replied the king,
" you are right ; and yet my poor mother, who also bought
of you, recommended you to me with her dying breath.
Come to me to-morrow, or the day after to-morrow, and
bring your best perfumes."
At this moment, the Duchess of Lorraine, who could
no longer contain herself, burst into loud sobs.
Henry did not even turn towards her.
"Sister, dear, what is the matter ?" cried Marguerite,
going towards her.
"Nothing," said Catherine, passing between the two
young women " nothing ; she has those nervous attacks,
for which Mazille prescribed aromatic preparations ; "
and again, and with more force than before, she pressed
her eldest daughter's arm ; then, turning towards the
youngest :
"Why, Margot," she said, " did you hear me request
you to retire to your room ? if that is not sufficient, I
command you."
" Excuse me madame," replied Marguerite, trembling
and pale ; "I wish your majesty good night."
" I hope your wishes may be heard. Good night good
night!"
Marguerite withdrew, staggering with affright, and in
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 61
rain seeking a glance from her husband, who did not even
turn towards her.
There was a moment's silence, during which Catherine
remained with her eyes fastened on the Duchess of Lor-
raine, who, on her side, without speaking, looked at her
mother with clasped hands.
Henry's back was still turned, but he was watching the
scene in a glass, whilst seeming to curl his mustache
with a pomade which Een6 had given to him.
" And you, Henry, do you mean to go ? " asked Cath-
erine.
"Yes, that's true," exclaimed the king. "Ma foil I
forgot that the Duke d'Alenqon and the Prince de Cond6
were awaiting me ! These are admirable perfumes ; they
quite overpower one, and destroy one's memory. Good
evening, madame."
" Good evening ! To-morrow you will perhaps bring
me tidings of the admiral."
" Without fail. Well, Phceb6, what is it ?"
" Phceb6 1 " said the queen-mother, impatiently.
"Caliber, madame," said the Bearnais, "for she will
not allow me to go out."
The queen-mother rose, took the little greyhound by
the collar, and held her whilst Henry left the apartment,
with his features as calm and smiling as if he did not feel
in his heart that his life was in imminent peril.
Behind him the little dog, set free by Catherine de
Medicis, rushed to try and overtake him, but the door
was closed, and Phceb6 could only put her long nose under
the tapestry and give a long and mournful howl.
" Now, Charlotte," said Catherine to Madame de Sauve,
" go and find M. de Guise and Tavannes, who are in my
oratory, and return with them, and remain with tke
Duchess of Lorraine, who iiaa the vapors."
08 MARGUERITE DE VALOia
CHAPTER VIL
THE NIGHT OF THE 34TH OF AUGUST, 1573.
La Mole and Coconnas had finished their meager
supper, Coconnas stretched his legs, leaned one elbow on
the table, and drinking a last glass of wine, said :
" Do you mean to go to bed instantly, Monsieur de la
Mole?"*
"Ma foil lam very much inclined, for it is possible
that I may be called up in the night."
" And I, too," said Coconnas ; " but it appears to me
that, under the circumstances, instead of going to bed
and making those wait who are to come to us, we should
do better to call for cards and play a game. They will
then find us quite ready."
" I would willingly accept your proposal, sir, bat I
have very little money for play. I have scarce a hundred
gold crowns in my valise, for my whole treasure."
"A hundred gold crowns !" cried Coconnas, "and you
complain ? Mordi ! I have but six ! "
"Why," replied La Mole, " I saw you draw from your
pocket a purse which appeared not only full, but I should
say, brimful."
" Ah," said Cocounas, "that is to defray an old debt
which I am compelled to pay to an old friend of my
father, whom I suspect to be like yourself, somewhat of a
Huguenot. Yes, there are here a hundred rose nobles,"
he added, slapping his pocket, " but these hundred rose
nobles belong to a Master Mercandon. As to my personal
patrimony, that, as I tell you, is limited to six crowns."
" How, then, can you play ? "
" Why, it is because of that I wish to play. Besides,
an idea occurs to me."
" What is it ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 63
fi We both came to Paris on the same errand."
" Yes/'
" We have each sought a powerful protector."
" Yes."
" You rely on yours, as I rely on mine."
" Yes."
"Well, then, it occurred to me that we should play at
first for our money, and afterwards for the first favor
which came to us, either from the court or from our mis-
tress."
" Eeally, a very ingenious idea," said La Mole, with a
smile, " but I confess I am not such a gamester as to risk
my whole life on a card or a turn of the dice ; for the first
favor which may come either to you or to me will, in all
probability, involve our whole life. But, if you will, let
us play until your six crowns be lost or doubled, and if
lost, and you desire to continue the game, you are a gen-
tleman, and your word is as good as gold."
" Done," replied Coconnas ; "a gentleman's word is
gold, especially when he has credit at court. Thus, be-
lieve me, I did not risk too much when I proposed to play
for the first favor we might receive at court."
" Doubtless, and you might lose it, but I could not gain
it ; for, being with the King of Navarre, I could not
receive anything from the Duke de Guise."
" Ah, the heretic ! " murmured the host, whilst rub-
bing up his old casque " what I I smelt you out, did I ! "
and he crossed himself devoutly.
" Well, then," continued Coconnas, shuffling the cards
which the waiter brought him, "you are of the "
"What?"
"New religion."
"I?"
" Yes, you."
" Well, say that I am," said La Mole, with a smile,
"have you anything against us ?"
"No, thank God! I hate Huguenotry with all my
heart, but I do not hate the Huguenots, for they are in
fashion jusfc now."
44 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Yes/' replied La Mole, smiling ; " to wit, the shoot-
ing at the admiral ; but let us play."
" Yes, let us play, and fear not, for should I lose a hun-
dred crowns of gold against yours, I shall have wherewithal
to pay you to-morrow morning."
" Then your fortune will come whilst you sleep."
" No ; I shall go and find it."
" Where ? I'll go with you."
"At the Louvre."
" Are you going back there to-night ?"
" Yes ; I have, to-night, a private audience with tho
great Duke de Guise."
Since Coconnas had mentioned the Louvre, La Hnriere
had left off cleaning his headpiece, and placed himself be-
hind La Mole's chair, so that Coconnas alone could see
him, and made signs to him, with the Piedmontese, ab-
sorbed in his game and the conversation, did not remark.
" Well, it is very strange," remarked La Mole ; "and
you were right to say that we were born under the same
star. I have also an appointment at the Louvre to-night,
but not with the Duke de Guise j mine is with the King
of Navarre."
" Have you a countersign ?"
" Yes."
" A rallying sign ? "
No."
" Well, I have one, and my countersign is "
At these words of the Piedmontese, La Huriere made so
significant a gesture, that Coconnas, who had just raised
his head, was greatly astonished, even more than by the
game, at which he had lost three crowns.
*' What's the matter ?" asked La Mole, but seeing noth-
ing, he shuffled the cards again ; whilst La Huridre re-
tired, placing his finger on his lips to recommend discre-
tion, and leaving Coconnas so amazed, that he again lost
almost as rapidly the second time as the first.
" Well," observed La Mole, " this makes exactly your six
crowns. Will you have your revenge on your future for-
tune ?"
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 65
' Willingly," replied (Joconnas.
" But before you begin, did you not say you had an ap-
pointment with the Duke de Guise ? "
" Coconnas turned his looks towards the kitchen, and
saw the great eyes of La Huriere.
" Yes/' he replied, " but it is not yet the hour. But
now let us talk a little about yourself, M. de la Mole."
"We shall do better, I think, by talking of the game,
my dear M. de Ooconnas ; for unless I am very much
mistaken, you are in a fair way of losing six more
crowns."
" Mordi! and that is true! I always heard that the
Huguenots had good luck at cards. Devil take me, if I
haven't a good mind to turn Huguenot !"
"Do, count, do," said La Mole; "and you shall be well
received amongst us."
Coconnas scratched his ear.
"If I were sure that your good luck came from that,"
he said, " I would ; for I really do not hold so entirely
with mass, and as the king does not think so much of it
either "
" Then it is such a simple religion," said La Mole ; "so
pure "
" And, moreover, it is in fashion," said Coconnas ; ' ' and
it brings good luck at cards ; for, devil take me, if you do
not hold all the aces, and yet I have watched you closely,
and you play very fairly ; it must be the religion "
"You owe me six crowns more," said La Mole, quietly.
" Ah, how you tempt me ! " said Coconnas.
" Hush ! " said La Mole, " you will get into a quarrel
with our host."
" Ah, that is true," said Coconnas, turning his eyes to-
wards the kitchen ; " but no, he is not listening ; he is
too much occupied at this moment."
" What is he doing ? " inquired La Mole, who could see
nothing from his place.
" He is talking with devil take me ! it is he ! "
"Who?"
" Why. that night-bird with whom he was discoursing
S
66 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
when we arrived. The man in the yellow doublet and
sad-colored cloak,, Mordi! how earnestly he talks. "
At this moment, La Huridre came hastily to Coconnas,
and whispered in his ear : " Silence, for your life 1 and
get rid of your companion."
Coconnas, turning to La Mole, said : " My dear sir, I
must beg you to excuse me. 1 have lost fifty crowns in
no time. I am in bad luck to-night."
' ' Well, sir, as you please/' replied La Mole ; " besides, 1
shall not be sorry to lie down for a time. Master la
Huriere ! "
"Sir."
" If any one comes for me from the King of Navarre,
wake me immediately ; I shall be dressed, and consequently
ready."
" So shall I," said Coconnas ; " and that I may not
keep his highness waiting, I will prepare the sign. Mas-
ter la Huriere, some white paper and scissors I "
" Good night, M. de Coconnas," said La Mole ; " and
you, landlord, be so good as to light me to my room.
Good luck, my friend ! " and La Mole disappeared up the
staircase, followed by La Huriere.
Then the mysterious personage, taking Coconnas by the
arm, said to him, with much quickness :
" Sir, you have very nearly betrayed a secret on which
depends the fate of a kingdom. One word more, and I
should have brought you down with my arquebuss. Now
we are alone."
" But who are you ? "
" Did you ever hear talk of Maurevel ? "
"The assassin of the admiral?"
" And of Captain de Mouy."
"Yes."
" Well, I am De Maurevel."
" Ah, ah ! " said Coconnas.
" Hush ! " said Maurevel, putting his finger on hi*
mouth.
Coconnas listened.
At this moment he heard the landlord close the door of
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 6Y
a chamber, then the door of a corridor, and bolt it ; and
then return precipitately to Coconnas and Maurevel, offer-
ing each a seat, and taking a third for himself.
" All is close now," he said, " and you may speak out,
M. Maurevel."
Eleven o'clock struck by Saint Germain FAuxerrois ;
Maurevel counted each stroke of the clock, which sounded
full and dull in the night, and, when the last sound had
died away :
"Sir," he said, turning to Coconnas, who was amazed
at all the precautions taken, " are you a good Catholic ?"
" I believe so," replied Coconnas.
" Sir, are you devoted to the king ? "
" Body and soul ! you offend me, sir, by asking such a
question."
" Will you follow us ? "
"Whither?"
"That is of no consequence let me guide you ; your
fortune, and perhaps your life, are concerned in the
result."
" I tell you, sir, that at midnight I have an appoint-
ment at the Louvre. "
" That is where we are going."
" M. de Guise awaits me there."
" And us also ! "
" But I have a written pass-word."
" And so have we ! "
" I have a sign of recognition."
Maurevel drew from beneath his doublet a handful of
crosses in white stuff, gave one to La Huriere, one to
Coconnas, and took another for himself. La Huri&re
fastened his to his helmet. Maurevel attached his to the
side of his hat.
" Ah, then," said Coconnas, amazed, " the appointment,
the countersign, and the rallying mark were for every-
body ?"
" Yes, sir that is to say, for all good Catholics."
"Then there is a fe'te at the Louvre some royal ban-
quet, is there not ?" said Coconnas; "and they wish to
DUMAS YOL. III. 4
68 MARGUERITE DE VALOI8.
exclude those hounds of Huguenots, good, capital ex-
cellent ! They have had the best of it too long."
" Yes, there is a fete at the Louvre a royal banquet ;
and the Huguenots are invited and more, they will be
the heroes of the f6te, and will pay for the festival, and if
you will be one of us, we will begin by going to invite
their principal champion their Gideon, as they call him."
" The admiral ! " cried Cocounas.
" Yes, old Gaspard, whom I missed, like a fool, although
I aimed at him with the king's arquebuss."
" And this, my gentleman, is why I was furbishing my
helmet, sharpening my sword, and putting an edge on
my knives," said La Huridre, with a loud and bear-like
voice.
At these words, Ooconnas shuddered and turned very
pale, for he began to comprehend.
" Then really," he exclaimed, " this f6te this banquet
is a "
" You are a long time guessing, sir," said Maurevel, " and
it is easy to see that you are not so weary of these insolent
heretics as we are."
" And you take on yourself," he said, "to go to the
admiral and to "
Maurevel smiled, and drawing Coconuas to the window,
he said :
" Look there ! do you see, in the small square at the
end of the street, behind the church, a troop drawn up
quietly in the shadow ? "
" Yes."
" The men who form that troop have, like Master la
Huridre, and myself, and yourself, a cross in their hats."
" Well ! "
" Well, these men are a company of Swiss, from the
smaller cantons, commanded by Toquenot you know
they are friends of the king."
" Ah, ah ! " said Coconnas.
" Now, look at that troop of horse passing along the
Quay do you recognize their leader ? "
" How can I recognize him," asked Coconnas, with a
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 69
shudder, " when it was only this evening that I arrived in
Paris ? "
" Well, then, it is he with whom you have a rendez-
vous at the Louvre at midnight. See, he is going to wait
for you ! "
" The Duke de Guise?"
" Himself ! His escorts are, Marcel, the ex-provost of
the tradesmen, and Jean Chorou, the present provost.
These two are going to summon their companies, and here
comes the captain of the quarter. See what he will do ? "
" He knocks at each door ; but what is there on the
doors at which he knocks ? "
" A white cross, young man, such as that which we
have in our hats."
" But at each house at which he knocks they open, and
from each house there come out armed citizens. "
" He will knock here in turn, and we shall in turn go
out."
" But," said Coconnas, " if all the world is on foot to
go and kill one old Huguenot Mordi ! it is shameful ?
It is an affair of cut-throats, and not of soldiers."
" Young man," replied Maurevel, " if the old are
objectionable to you, you may choose young ones you
will find plenty for all tastes. If you despise daggers, use
your sword, for the Huguenots are not the men to allow
their throats to be cut without defending themselves, and
you know that Huguenots, young or old, are hard-lived."
"But are they -going to kill them all, then ?" cried
Coconnas.
"All!"
" By order of the king ? "
" By order of the king and M. de Guise."
" And when ? "
" When you hear the clock of Saint Germain I'Auxer-
rois strike."
" Oh, it was for that, then, that the amiable German
told me to hasten at the first sound of the tocsin. "
" You have, then, seen M. de Besme ?"
" I have seen and spoken to him."
70 MARGUERITE DE VALOia
" Where ?"
" At the Louvre."
" Look there 1 *
" Mordi /'tis he himself. "
" Would you speak with him ? "
" Why, really, I should like to do so."
Mau revel opened the window instantly ; Besme was
passing at the moment with twenty soldiers.
" Guise and Lorraine I " said Maurevel.
Besme turned round, and perceiving that it was himself
who was accosted, he came under the window.
" Oh, is it yon, Sir6 de Maurevel ?**
" Yes, 'tis I, what seek yon ? "
" I am seeking the hostelry of the Belle Etoile, to find
a Monsieur Coconnas."
" I am here, M. de Besme/' said the young man.
" Good, good ; are you ready ? "
Yes to do what? "
" Whatever M. de Maurevel may tell you, for he is a
good Catholic."
" Do you hear ? " inquired Maurevel.
"Yes/* replied Coconnas, "but M. de Besme ! where
are you going ? "
" I am going to saya word to the admiral."
" Say two, if necessary," said Maurevel, " and this time,
if he gets up again at the first, do not let him rise at
the second."
" Make yourself easy, M. de Maurevel, aud put the
young gentleman in the right path."
" Ah, have no fear for me ; the Coconnas have keen
scent, and good bred dogs hunt from instinct."
"Adieu 1 begin the chase, for we are in the slot of the
deer."
De Besme went on, and Maurevel closed the window.
" You hear, young man," said Maurevel, " if you have
any private enemy, although he is not altogether a Hu-
guenot, you can put him on your list, and he will pass with
the others."
Coconnas, more bewildered than ever with what he saw
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. fl
and heard, looked about him, at the host and Maurevel,
who quietly drew a paper from his. pocket. " Here's my
list," said he ; " three hundred. Let each good Catholic
do this night one-tenth part of the business I shall do, and
to-morrow there will not remain one single heretic in the
kingdom."
" Hush ! " said La Huriere.
" What is it ? " inquired Coconnas and Maurevel to-
gether.
They heard the first stroke of the bell of Saint Germain
1'Auxerrois vibrate.
" The signal ! " exclaimed Maurevel. " The time is put
on for it was agreed for midnight. So much the better.
When it is the interest of God and the king, it is better
that the clock should be put forward than backward."
And the sinister sound of the church bell was distinctly
heard. Then a shot was fired, and in an instant, the light
of several flambeaux blazed up like flashes of lightning in
the Eue de PArbre-Sec.
Coconnas passed his hand over his brow, which was
damp with perspiration.
"It has begun!" cried Maurevel. "Now to work
away ! "
"One moment, one moment !" said the host. " Be-
fore we begin, let us make safe the house. I do not wish
to have my wife and children killed in my absence. There
is a Huguenot here."
" M. de la Mole ! " said Coconnas, starting.
" Yes, the fowl has thrown himself into the wolf's
throat."
"What!" said Coconnas; "would you attack your
guest ? "
" It was for him I gave an extra edge to my rapier."
" Oh, oh ! " said the Piedmontese, frowning.
" I never yet killed anything but rabbits, ducks, and
chickens," replied the worthy host, " and I do not know
very well how to kill a man ; but I can make my first trial
on him, and if I am clumsy, no one will be there to laugh
at me."
72 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Mordi. " it is hard," said Coconnas. " M. de la Mole
is my companion ; M. de la Mole has supped with me ;
M. de la Mole has played with me."
" Yes ; but M. de la Mole is a heretic," said Maurevel.
" M. de la Mole is doomed ; and if we do not kill him,
others will."
"Not to say," added the host, " that he has gained fifty
crowns from you."
" True," said Coconnas ; " but, fairly, I am sure."
Fairly, or not, you must pay them, whilst, if I kill him,
you are quits."
" Come come ! " cried Maurevel ; " make haste, or we
shall not be in time with the aid we have promised M. de
Guise, at the admiral's."
" Coconnas sighed.
"Fll make haste!" cried La Huriere, "wait for
me."
" Mordi f" cried Coconnas, "he will put the poor gen-
tleman to great pain, and, perhaps, rob him. I must be
present to finish him, if requisite, and to prevent him from
touching his money."
And impelled by this happy thought, Coconnas followed
La Huriere up-stairs, and soon overtook him, for the latter
slackened his pace when he approached the intended
victim.
As he reached the door, Coconnas still following, several
discharges of musquetry in the streets were heard.
"Diable/" muttered La Huriere, somewhat discon-
certed ; " that has awakened him, I think."
"I should say so," observed Coconnas, "and he will
defend himself ; I do not know a likelier man. Suppose,
now, Master la Huridre, he were to kill you, that would
be droll, eh ? "
"Hum, hum ! " responded the host, but knowing him-
self to be armed with a good arquebuss, he dashed the door
in with a kick of his foot.
La Mole, without his hat, but dressed, was entrenched
behind his bed, his sword between his teeth, and his pis-
tols in his hands.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 73
" Ah, ah ! " said Coconnas, his nostrils expanding like
a wild beast who smelt blood "this grows interesting,
Master la Hurieire. Forward ! "
" Ah, you would assassinate me, it seems ! " cried La
Mole, whose eyes glared ; ' ' and it is you, wretch ! "
Master la Huriere's reply to this was to take aim at the
young man with his arquebuss ; but La Mole was on his
guard, and as he fired, went on his knees, and the ball
passed over his head.
"Help I" cried La Mole ; "help, M. de Coconnas I"
" Help, M. de Maurevel ! help ! " cried La Hurire.
"Ma foil M. de la Mole," replied Coconnas, "all I
can do in this affair is not to join the attack against you.
It seems, all the Huguenots are to be put to death to-
night, in the king's name. Get out of it as well as you
can."
"Ah, traitors ! assassins ! is it so ? Well, then, take
this ! " And La Mole, aiming in his turn, fired one of
his pistols. La Huriere, who had kept his eye on him,
moved suddenly on one side ; but Coconnas, not anticipat-
ing such a reply, had not stirred, and the ball grazed his
shoulder.
" Mordi /" he exclaimed, grinding his teeth " I have
it. Well, then, let it be us two, since you will have it so ! "
and drawing his rapier, he rushed on La Mole.
Had he been alone, La Mole would, doubtless, have
awaited his attack ; but Coconnas had La Huriere to aid
him, who was reloading his gun, and Maurevel, who was
coming rapidly up the stairs. La Mole, therefore, dashed
into a small closet, which he bolted inside.
" Ah, coward ! n cried Coconnas, furious, and striking
at the door with the pommel of his sword " wait ! wait !
and I will make as many holes in your body as you have
gained crowns of me to-night. Wait for me, poltroon
wait for me ! "
La Huriere fired his arquebuss at the lock, and the door
flew open.
Coconnas rushed into the closet, but it was empty, and
the window open.
74 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
"He has thrown himself out," said the host, "and as
we are on the fourth story, he must be killed."
" Or, he has escaped by the roof of the next house/'
said Coconnas, putting his leg over the bar of the window,
and preparing to follow him over this narrow and slip-
pery route ; but Maurevel and La Huriere drew him back
into the apartment.
" Are you mad ?" they both exclaimed at once ; *' you
will kill yourself ! "
"Bah ! " said Coconnas, "I am a mountaineer, and
nsed to traverse the glaciers ; besides, when a man has
once offended me, I will go up to heaven or descend to
hell with him, by whatever route he pleases. Let me do
as I wish.'*
" Well," said Maurevel, " he is either dead or a long
way off by this time. Come with us ; and if he escape
you, there will be a thousand others in his place."
" You are right/' cried Coconnas. " Death to the
Huguenots ! I want revenge, and the sooner the better."
And the three descended the staircase, like an avalanche.
" To the admiral's ! " shouted Maurevel.
" To the admiral's !" shouted La Hnriere.
"To the admiral's, then, if it must be so!" shouted
Coconnas.
And all three, leaving the Belle Etoile in charge of Gre-
goire and the other waiters, hastened towards the Eue de
B6thisy, a bright light, and the report of fire-arms, guid-
ing them in that direction.
" Who comes here ? " cried Coconnas. " A man with-
out his doublet or scarf ! "
" It io some one escaping," said Maurevel.
"Five ! fire !" said Coconnas; "you who have arque-
busses."
" Mafoi I not I," replied Maurevel. " I keep my pow-
der for better game."
" You, then, La Huriere ! "
" Wait, wait ! " said the innkeeper, taking aim.
" Oh, yes, wait, and he will escape," replied Coconnas.
And he rushed after the unhappy wretch, whom he soon
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 75
overtook, as he was wounded ; but at the moment when,
in order that he might not strike him behind, he ex-
claimed, " Turn, turn ! " the report of an arquebuss was
heard, a ball whistled by Coconnas' ears, and the fugitive
rolled over, like a hare struck by the shot of the sports-
man.
A cry of triumph was heard behind Coconnas. The
Piedmontese turned round, and saw La Huriere brandish-
ing his weapon.
1 ' Ah, now," he exclaimed, " I have made my maiden
shot !"
" And only just missed making a hole in me, from one
side to the other. "
" Be on your guard ! be on your guard ! "
Coconuas sprung back. The wounded man had risen
on his knee, and, full of revenge, was about to stab him
with his poniard, when the host's warning put the Pied-
montese on his guard.
" Ah, viper ! " shouted Coconnas ; and rushing at the
wounded man, he thrust his sword through him three
times up to the hilt.
" And now," cried he, leaving the Huguenot in the
agonies of death " to the admiral's*! to the admiral's ! "
" Ah, ah ! my gentlemen," said Maurevel, " it seems to
work."
"Ma foil" yes," replied Coconnas. " I do not know
if it is the smell of gunpowder that makes me drunk, or
the sight of blood which excites me, but mordi! I am all
anxious for slaughter. It is like a battue of men. I have
as yet only had battues of bears and wolves, and, on my
honor, a battue of men seems more amusing." And the
three went on their way.
76 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE VICTIMS.
THE hotel of the admiral was, as we have said, situated
in the Rue de Bethisy. It was a large house, opening on
a court in front, flanked by two wings. One principal and
two small gates afforded entrance into this courtyard.
When our three cut-throats entered the Rue Bethisy,
which forms part of the Rue des Fosses-St.-Germain-
1'Auxerrois, they saw the hotel surrounded with Swiss sol-
diers and citizens, all armed to the teeth, some holding
drawn swords, others arquebusses loaded and the matches
burning, and some, in their left hand, torches that threw a
fitful and lurid glare on this sea of human heads and naked
weapons. The work of destruction was proceeding in the
Rues Tirechappe, Etienne, and Bertin-Poiree. Agonized
cries and the reports of muskets were heard incessantly ;
and, occasionally, some wretched fugitive rushed wildly
through what, seen by the uncertain light, seemed a troop
of demons.
In an instant, Coconnas, Maurevel, and La Huriere,
accredited by their white crosses, and received with cries
of welcome, were in the midst of the tumult, though they
could not have entered the throng, had not Maurevel been
recognized. Coconnas and La Huriere followed him, and
all three contrived to enter the court.
In the center of this court, the three doors of which were
burst open, a man, around whom a body of Catholics formed
a respectful circle, stood leaning on his drawn rapier, and
eagerly looking up at a balcony about fifteen feet above
him, which extended in front of the principal window of
the hotel.
This man stamped impatiently on the ground, and, from
time to time, questioned those around him.
MARGUERITE DE VALOI8. 77
" Nothing yet ! " murmured he. " No one ! He has
been warned, and has escaped. What do you think, Dn
Gast ? "
" Impossible, monseigneur."
" Why ? Did you not tell me, that just before we ar-
rived, a man, bareheaded, a drawn sword in his hand,
came running, as if pursued, knocked at the door, and was
admitted?"
" Yes, monseigneur : but M. de Besme came up immedi-
ately, broke open the doors, and surrounded the hotel. The
man went in, sure enough, but he has not gone out."
" Why," said Coconnas to La Huriere, " if my eyes do
not deceive me, it is M. de Guise I see."
" Himself, monsieur. Yes ; the great Henry de Guise
is come in person to watch for the admiral and serve him
as he served the duke's father. Every one has his day,
and it is our turn now."
" Hola, Besme!" cried the duke, with his powerful
voice, " have you not finished yet ?"
And he struck his sword so forcibly against the stones
that sparks flew out.
At this instant cries were heard in the hotel then sev-
eral shots then a clashing of swords, and then all was again
silent.
The duke was about to rush into the house.
" Monseigneur, monseigneur ! " said Du Gast, detain-
ing him, "your dignity commands you to wait here."
" You are right, Du Gast. I must stay here ; but I am
dying with anxiety. If he were to escape ! "
Suddenly the windows of the first floor were lighted up
with what seemed the reflection of torches.
The window, on which the duke's eyes were fixed,
opened, or, rather, was shattered to pieces, and a man,
his face and collar stained with blood, appeared on the
balcony.
" Ah ! at last, Besme ! " cried the duke ; " what news ? "
" Here ! here ! " replied the German, with the greatest
sang fr old, lifting as he spoke, a heavy body.
" But where are the others ? " demanded the duke.
78 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
"The others are finishing the rest."
" And what have you done ? "
" You shall see. Stand back a little ! "
The duke retreated a few paces.
The object that Besme was trying to lift was now
visible ; it was the body of an old man. He raised it above
the balcony, and threw it, by a powerful effort, at his
master's feet.
The heavy fall, and the blood that gushed forth, star-
tled even the duke himself ; but curiosity soon overpowered
fear, and the light of the torches was speedily thrown on
the body.
A white beard, a venerable visage, and limbs contracted
by death, were then visible. "The admiral!" cried
twenty voices, as instantaneously hushed.
"Yes, the admiral !" said the duke approaching the
corpse, and contemplating it with silent ecstasy.
" The admiral ! the admiral ! " repeated the witnesses
of this terrible scene, timidly approaching the old man,
majestic even in death.
"Ah, at last, Gaspard ! " said the Duke de Guise,
triumphantly. " Murderer of my father ! thus do I
avenge him ! "
And the duke dared to plant his foot on the breast of
the Protestant hero. But instantly the dying warrior
opened his eyes, his bleeding and mutilated hand clenched
itself, and the admiral, with a sepulchral voice, said to the
duke :
" Henry de Guise, one day the foot of the assassin shall
be planted on thy breast ! I did not kill thy father, and
I curse thee ! "
The duke, pale, and trembling in spite of himself, felt
a cold shudder come over him. He passed his hand across
his brow, as if to dispel the fearful vision ; and when he
dared again to glance at the admiral,' his eyes were closed,
his hand unclenched, and a stream of black blood poured
over his silvery beard from that mouth which had so
lately uttered the terrible denunciation against his mur-
derer.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 79
The duke lifted his sword with a gesture of desperate
resolution.
" Are you satisfied, monseigneur ? " asked Besme.
" Yes," returned Henry ; " for thou hast avenged "
" The Duke Fran9ois 1 " said De Besme.
" The Catholic religion/' returned Henry. Then,
turning to the soldiers and citizens who filled the court
and street, " To work, my friends, to work ! "
" Good evening, M. de Besme/' said Coconnas, ap-
proaching the German, who stood on the balcony, wiping
his sword.
" It was you, then, who settled him 1 " cried La Huriere;
" how did you manage it ? "
" Oh, very easily : he heard a noise, opened his door,
and I ran him through the body. But I think they are
killing Teligny now, for I hear him yelling."
At this moment, several cries of distress were heard,
and the windows of the long gallery that formed a wing
of the hotel were lighted up with a red glare ; two mpn
were seen flying before a body of assassins. An arque-
buss shot killed one ; the other sprang boldly and without
stopping to look at the distance from the ground, through
an open window into the court below, heeding not the
enemies who awaited him there.
" Kill ! kill ! " cried the assassins, seeing their prey
about to escape them.
The fugitive picked up his sword, which in his leap had
fallen from his hand, dashed through the soldiers, upset
three or four, ran one through the body, and amid the
pistol-shots and imprecations of the furious Catholics,
darted like lightning by Coconnas, who stood ready for
him at the door.
" Touched ! " cried the Piedmontese, piercing his arm
with his sharp blade.
" Coward ! " replied the fugitive, striking him on the
face with the flat of his weapon, for want of room to thrust
at him with its point.
" A thousand devils ! " cried Coconnas j " it's M. de la
Mole I"
80 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" M. de la Mole ! " re-echoed La Huridre and Maurevel,
" It is he who warned the admiral ! " cried several sol-
diers.
" Kill him kill him ! " was shouted on all sides.
Coconnas, La Hurire, and half a score of soldiers,
rushed in pursuit of La Mole, who, covered with blood,
and having attained that state of desperation which is the
last resource of human strength, dashed wildly through
the streets, with no other guide than instinct. Behind
him, the footsteps and shouts of his pursuers gave him
wings. Occasionally a ball whistled by his ear, and made
him dart forward with redoubled speed. He no longer
seemed to breathe : it was a hoarse rattle which came
from his chest. His pourpoint seemed to prevent his
heart from beating, and he tore it off ; soon his sword
became too heavy for his hand, and he threw it away.
The blood and perspiration matted his hair, and trickled
in heavy drops down his face. Sometimes it seemed to
him that he was gaining on his pursuers, and he could
hear their steps die away in the distance ; but at their
cries, fresh murderers started up at every turn, and con-
tinued the chase ; suddenly he perceived, on his left, the
river, rolling silently on ; he felt, like the stag at bay, an
invincible desire to plunge into it ; the supreme power of
reason alone restrained him. On his right was the Louvre,
dark and frowning, but full of strange and ominous sounds;
soldiers on the drawbridge came and went, and helmets
and cuirasses glittered in the moonlight. La Mole thought
of the King of Navarre, as he had before thought of Col-
igny : they were his only protectors, it was his last hope.
He collected all his strength, and inwardly vowing to
abjure his faith should he escape massacre, he rushed by
the soldiers, on to the drawbridge, received another pon-
iard stab in the side, and despite the cries of " Kill kill ! "
that resounded on all sides, and the opposing weapons of
the sentinels, darted like an arrow through the court, into
the vestibule, mounted the staircase, then up two stories
higher, recognized a door, and leaned against it, striking
it violently with his hands and feet.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. $J
" Who is there ? " asked a woman's voice.
" Oh, my God ! " murmured La Mole " they are com-
ing, I hear them ; 'tis I 'tis I ! "
" Who are you ?" said the voice.
La Mole recollected the pass-word.
" Navarre Navarre ! " cried he.
The door instantly opened. La Mole, without thank-
ing, or even seeing Gillonne, dashed into the vestibule,
then along a corridor, through two or three chambers,
until, at last, he entered a room lighted by a lamp sus-
pended from the ceiling.
Beneath curtains of velvet with gold fleurs-de-lis, in a
bed of carved oak, a lady, wrapped in a dressing-gown,
raised herself on her arm, and gazed with terror.
La Mole precipitated himself towards her.
" Madame," cried he, " they are killing, they are butch-
ering my brothers they seek to kill me also ! You are
queen save me ! "
And he threw himself at her feet, leaving on the carpet
a large track of blood.
At the sight of a man, pale, exhausted, and bleeding at
her feet, the Queen of Navarre, who, warned by Madame
de Lorraine, had laid down without undressing herself,
clasped her hands over her eyes, and shrieked for help.
" Madame," cried La Mole, " for the love of Heaven,
do not call ! If you do, I am lost, for my murderers are at
hand ; they are on the stairs hark ! I hear them now ! "
" Help ! " cried the queen" help ! "
"Ah ! " said La Mole, despairingly, " you have killed
me. I did not think it possible to die by so sweet a voice,
so fair a hand ! "
At the same time, the door flew open, and a troop of
men, their faces covered with blood and blackened with
powder, their swords drawn, and their pikes and arque-
busses leveled, rushed into the apartment.
Coconnas was at their head his red hair bristling, his
eye flashing fire, and his cheek cut open by La Mole's
sword. The Piedmontese was terrible to behold.
" Mordil" cried he, " we have him at last."
6
82 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
La Mole looked round him for a weapon, but in vain ;
he glanced at the queen, and saw profound commiseration
depicted in her face ; he at once felt that she alone could
save him ; he threw his arms round her.
Coconnas advanced, and with the point of his long rapier
again wounded his enemy's shoulder, and the crimson
drops of warm blood stained the white and perfumed sheets
of Marguerite's couch.
Marguerite saw the blood flow, and felt the shudder that
ran through La Mole's frame : she threw herself with him
into the recess between the bed and the wall. It was time :
for La Mole was incapable of flight or resistance, his head
leaned on Marguerite's shoulder, and his hand convul-
sively seized and tore its thin cambric covering.
"Oh, madaine," murmured he, "save me."
He could say no more. A mist came over his eyes, his
head sunk back, his arms fell at his side, and he sunk on
the floor, bathed in his blood, and dragging the queen
with him.
At this moment, Coconnas, excited by the sight of blood
and exasperated by the long pursuit, advanced towards
the recess ; in another instant, his sword would have
pierced La Mole's heart, and perhaps that of Marguerite
also.
At the sight of the bare steel, and even more moved at
the insolence of the man, the daughter of kings drew her-
self up to her full height, and sent forth such a cry of fear,
indignation, and rage, that Coconnas stood petrified.
Suddenly, a door in the wall opened, and a young man
of sixteen or seventeen, dressed in black and his hair in
disorder, rushed in.
" Hold ! hold 1 " cried he ; "I am here, my sister I
am here ! "
f< Fran9ois ! Fra^ois ! " cried Marguerite " help !
help !
" The Duke d'Alengon ! " murmured La Huri^re,
grounding his arquebuss.
" Mordi! a son of France I" growled Coconnas, draw-
ing back.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 83
The duke glanced round him. He saw Marguerite,
disheveled, more lovely than ever, leaning against the
wall surrounded by men, fury in her eyes, large drops of
perspiration on her forehead.
" Wretches ! " cried he.
" Save me, my brother ! " shrieked Marguerite. " They
are going to kill me \"
The duke's pallid face became crimson. He was un-
armed, but sustained, no doubt, by the consciousness of
his rank, he advanced with clenched teeth and hands to-
wards Coconnas and his companions, who retreated terri-
fied at the lightning darting from his eyes.
"Ha! and will you murder a son of France, too?"
cried the duke. Then, as they recoiled " Without there !
captain of the guard ! Hang me every one of these
ruffians ! "
More alarmed at the sight of this weaponless young man
than he would have been at the aspect of a regiment of
lansquenets, Coconnas had already reached the door. La
Huriere sprang after him like a deer, and the soldiers
jostled and pushed each other in the vestibule, in their
endeavors to escape, finding the door far too small for
their great desire to be outside it. Meantime Marguerite
had instinctively thrown the damask coverlid of her bed
over La Mole, and withdrawn from him.
No sooner had the last murderer departed, than the
duke turned to his sister.
" Are you hurt ? " cried he, seeing Marguerite covered
with blood. And he darted towards his sister with an
anxiety that did credit to his fraternal tenderness.
"No/' said she, " I think not ; or if I am, it is but
slightly/'
" But this blood," said the duke ; " whence comes it ?"
" I know not," replied she, " one of those wretches
seized me, and perhaps he was wounded."
"What !" cried the duke, "dare to touch my sister ?
Oh, had you but shown him to me did I but know where
to find him "
" Leave me," said Marguerite.
84 MARGUERI/E DE VALOIS.
" Well, Marguerite/' said he, " I will go ; but you can-
not remain alone this dreadful night. Shall I call Gil-
lonne ? "
" No, no ! leave me, Fra^ois leave me ! "
The prince obeyed; and hardly had he disappeared,
than Marguerite, hearing a groan from the recess, hastily
bolted the door of the secret passage, and then hastening
to the other entrance, closed it just as a troop of archers
dashed by in hot chase of some other Huguenot residents
in the Louvre.
After glancing round, to assure herself she was really
alone, she lifted the covering that had concealed La Mole
from the Duke d'Alenc.on, and tremblingly drawing the
apparently lifeless body, by great exertion, into the middle
of the room, and finding the victim still breathed, sat
down, placed his head on her knees, and sprinkled his
face with water.
Then it was that the mask of blood, dust, and gun-
powder which had covered his face being removed, Mar-
guerite recognized the handsome cavalier who, full of life
and hope, had but three or four hours before solicited her
protection and that of the King of Navarre ; and whilst
dazzled by her own beauty, had attracted her attention by
his own.
Marguerite uttered a cry of terror, for now it was more
than mere pity that she felt for the wounded man it was
interest. He was no longer a stranger ; he was almost
an acquaintance. By her care, La Mole's fine features soon
reappeared, free from stain, but pale and distorted by
pain. A shudder ran through her whole frame, as she
tremblingly placed her hand on his heart. It still beat.
She then took a smelling-bottle from the table and applied
it to his nostrils.
La Mole opened his eyes.
" Oh ! mon Dieu I " murmured he " where am I ? "
"Saved! "said Marguerite. "Reassure yourself you
are saved."
La Mole turned his eyes on the queen, gazed earnestly
for a moment, and murmuring "Oh, loveliest of the
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 85
lovely ! " closed his lids, as if overpowered, and sent forth
a long, deep sigh.
Marguerite started. He had become still paler than be-
fore, if that were possible, and she feared that sigh was
his last.
" Oh, Heaven ! " she cried, " have pity on him ! "
At this moment a violent knocking was heard at the
door. Marguerite half raised herself, still supporting La
Mole.
" Who is there ?" she cried.
"Madame, it is I it is I," replied a female voice;
"the Duchess de Nevers."
" Heuriette ! " cried Marguerite. " There is no danger ;
it is my friend. Do you hear me, sir ? "
La Mole contrived to raise himself on one knee.
" Endeavor to support yourself," said the queen.
La Mole, resting his hand on the ground, managed to
keep his equilibrium.
Marguerite advanced towards the door, but stopped
suddenly.
" Ah, you are not alone ! " she said, hearing the clash
of arms outside.
" No, I have twelve guards, that my brother-in-law,
M. de Guise, assigned me."
'' M. de Guise ! " murmured La Mole. " The assassin
the assassin ! "
" Silence ! " said Marguerite. "Not a word ! "
And she looked round, to see where she could conceal
the wounded man.
" A sword ! a dagger ! " muttered La Mole.
" To defend yourself useless ! Did you not hear ?
They are twelve, and you alone."
" Not to defend myself, but that I may not fall alive
into their hands."
"No, no ! " said Marguerite. " I will save you. Ah !
this cabinet ! Come ! come ! "
La Mole made an effort, and, supported by Marguerite,
dragged himself to the cabinet. Marguerite locked the
door upon him, and hid the key in her alms-purse.
86 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
"Not a sound, not a movement/' whispered she,
through the lattice- work, " and you are saved."
Then hastily throwing a mantle round her, she opened
the door for her friend, who tenderly embraced her.
"Ah!" cried Madame Nevers, "you are unhurt
then?"
" Quite," replied Marguerite, wrapping the mantle still
more closely round her, to conceal the blood on her
dress.
' ( "Tis well. However, M. de Guise has given me
twelve of his guards to escort me to his hotel, and as I
do not need so many, I will leave six with your majesty.
Six of the duke's guards are worth a regiment of the
king's to-night."
Marguerite dared not refuse : she placed the soldiers in
the corridor, and embraced the duchess, who then re-
turned to the H6tel de Guise, where she resided in her
husband's absence.
CHAPTEE IX.
THE MURDERERS.
COCONNAS had not fled, he had but retreated : La
Huriere had not fled, he had flown. The one had dis-
appeared like a tiger, the other like a wolf.
The consequence was, that La Huriere had already
reached the Place-Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, when Co-
connas had only just quitted the Louvre.
La Huriere was prudently thinking of returning home,
but as he turned the corner, in the Rue de 1'Arbre-Sec,
he fell in with a troop of Swiss and light horse, led by
Maurevel. .
" Well 1 " exclaimed the latter, who had christened
himself the King's Killer, " have you finished already ?
What the devil have you done with -our Piedmcntese
gentleman ? Has any mischance happened to him ? It
would be a pity, for he went to work like a hero."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 87
"I hope not," responded La Hurie're ; "and where are
you going to ? "
" Oh, I have a small private affair."
" Then let me go with you," said a voice which made
Maurevel start ; " for you know all the good places/'
"It is M. de Coconnas," said La Hurire.
" Ah 1 you have come from the Louvre. Did your
Huguenot, then, take refuge there ? " asked Maurevel.
" Mon Dieu ! yes."
" I gave him a pistol-shot at the moment when he was
picking up his sword in the admiral's courtyard, but I
somehow or other missed him."
" I," added Coconnas, " did not miss him : I gave him
such a thrust in the back that my sword was wet five
inches up the blade. Besides, I saw him fall into the
arms of Madame Marguerite, a fine woman, mordi I yet I
confess I should not be sorry to hear he was really dead ;
the vagabond is infernally spiteful, and capable of bear-
ing me a grudge all his life. "
" Do you mean to go with me ? "
" Why, I do not like standing still. Mordi I I have only
killed three or four as yet, and when I get cold my
shoulder pains me. Forward ! forward ! "
" Captain," said Maureve 1 to the commander of the
troop, "give me three men, ancLgO-Qa your own way with
the rest."
Three Swiss were desired to follow Maurevel, who fol-
lowed by Coconnas anrl La Huriere, went towards the
Rue Sainte Avoid.
" Where the devil -are we going ? " asked Coconnas.
" To the Rue' de Chaume, where we have important
business." ./
" Tell m.%,* said Coconnas, " is not the Rue du Chaume
near the T'emple?"
" Why. ?
" Because an old creditor of our family lives there, one
Lambent Mercandon, to whom my father has desired me
to hsffd over a hundred rose nobles I have in my pocket
for/toit purpose."
88 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Well," replied Manrevel, " this is a good opportunity
for paying it. This is the day for settling old accounts.
Is your Mercandon a Huguenot ? "
" Oh, I understand ! " said Coconnas ; " he must be *
" Hush I here we are."
"What is that large hotel, with its entrance on the
street ?"
" The H6tel de Guise/*
"Truly/* returned Coconnas, "I ought not to have
failed coming here, as I am under the patronage of the
great Henry. But mordi ! all is so very quiet in this
quarter, we might fancy ourselves in the country. Devil
fetch me, but everybody is asleep ! "
And indeed the H6tel de Guise seemed as quiet as in
ordinary times. All the windows were closed, and a soli-
tary light burned behind the blind of the principal win-
dow over the entrance. At the corner of the Rue des
Quatre-Fils, Maurevel stopped.
"This is the house of him we seek/' he said. "Do
you, La Huriere, with your sleek look, knock at the
door : hand your arquebuss to M. de Coconnas, who has
been ogling it this last half hour. If you are introduced,
you must ask to speak to M. de Mouy."
"Oh!" said Coconnas, "now I understand you have
a creditor in tfre^q*iaFteiuathe Temple, it would seem."
" Exactly so ! " responded Maurevel. " You will go up
to him in the character of a HiJguenot, and inform M. de
Mouy of all that has passed : hd is brave, and will come
down."
" And once down ?" asked tasHuriere.
" Once down, I will beg of him to crosswords with me."
La Huriere, without making any reply\knocked at the
door, and the sounds echoing in the silenceNof the night
caused the doors of the Hdtel de Guise to opeP, and sev-
eral heads to make their appearance from ouk them ; it
was then evident that the hotel was quiet, after the fash-
ion of citadels, that is to say, in being filled with soldiers.
The heads were instantly withdrawn, guessing,
what was the matter.
MAKGUERITE DE VALOIS. 89
" Does your M. de Mouy live here ? " inquired
Coconnas, pointing to the house at which La Huri^re
continued to knock.
" No, but his mistress does."
" Mordi ! how gallant you are, to give him an occasion
to draw sword in the presence of his lady-love ! We shall
be the judges of the field. I should like very well to fight
myself my shoulder burns. "
" And your face/' asked Maurevel, "it is considerably
damaged, is it not ?"
Coconnas uttered a kind of growl.
" Mordi ! " he said, " I hope he is dead ; if I thought
not, I would return to the Louvre and finish him."
La Huri^re still kept knocking.
Soon the window on the first floor opened, and a man
appeared in the balcony, in a nightcap and drawers, and
unarmed.
" Who's there ? " cried he.
Maurevel made a sign to the Swiss, who retreated into
a corner, whilst Coconnas stood close against the wall.
"Ah ! Monsieur de Mouy ! " said the innkeeper, in his
blandest tones, "is that you ?"
"Yes; what then?"
" It is he I" said Maurevel, joyfully.
"Well, then, sir/' continued La Hurire, " do you not
know what is going on ? They are murdering the admiral,
and all of our religion. Hasten to their assistance ! "
" Ah ! " exclaimed De Mouy, " I feared something was
plotted for this night. I ought not to have quitted my
brave comrades. I will come, my friend wait for me."
And without closing the window, through which issued
the voice of a female in alarm, uttering tender supplica-
tions, M. de Mouy put on his doublet, cloak, and weapons.
" He is coming down, he is coming down ; be ready !"
murmured Maurevel, pale with joy, and taking the arque-
buss from Coconnas, and blazing the match, to see that it
was alight, returned it to La Huridre.
" Mordi /" exclaimed Coconnas, "the moon is coming
out, to see this beautiful little fight. I would give a great
90 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
deal if Lambert Mercandon were here, to serve as M. de
Mouy's secpnd."
" Wait, wait ! " said Maurevel ; " M. de Mouy is equal
to several men himself, and it is likely that we six shall
have enough to do to despatch him. Forward, my men ! "
continued Maurevel, making a sign to the Swiss to stand
by the door, in order to strike De Mouy as he came forth.
"Ah ! ah \" said Coconnas, as he watched these ar-
rangements, "it appears that this will not come off quite
as I expected."
Already was heard the sound of the bar which De Mouy
moved aside. The Swiss were at the door ; Maurevel and
La Huri^re came forward on tiptoe, whilst, from a feeling
of honor, Coconnas remained where he was, when a young
female, whom no one had expected, appeared, in her turn,
in the balcony, and gave a terrible shriek when she saw
the Swiss, Maurevel, and La Huriere.
De Mouy, who had already half-opened the door
paused.
" Return, return ! " cried the damsel. " I see swords
glitter, and the match of an arquebuss there is treach-
ery ! "
" Ah ! ah ! " said the young man, " let us see, then,
what it means."
And he closed the door, replaced the bar, and went up-
stairs again.
Maurevel's order of battle was changed, as soon as he
saw that De Mouy did not come out. The Swiss went
and posted themselves at the other corner of the street,
and La Huriere, with his arquebuss in his hand, awaited
the reappearance of the enemy at the window.
He did not wait long.
De Mouy came forward, holding before him two pistols
of such respectable length, that La Huriere, who was tak-
ing aim, suddenly reflected that the Huguenot's balls had
no further to go in reaching him, than had his to reach
the balcony. "It is true/' said he, " I may kill the
gentleman ; but it is equally true that the gentleman may
kill me 1 " and this reflection determined him to retreat
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 91
into an angle of the Ene de Brae, so far off, as to make
any aim of his at De Mouy somewhat uncertain.
De Mouy cast a glance around him, and advanced like
a man preparing to fight a duel ; but seeing nothing, he
exclaimed :
" Why, it appears, my friend, that you have forgotten
your arquebuss at my door ! I am here. What do you
want with me ? "
"Ah, ah !" said Ooconnas to himself ; "this is a brave
fellow ! "
" Well," continued De Mouy, " friends or enemies,
whichever you are, do you not see I am waiting ? "
La Huridre kept silence, Maurevel made no reply, and
the three Swiss remained in covert.
Coconnas paused an instant ; then, seeing that no one
continued the conversation begun by La Hnri^re and fol-
lowed by De Mouy, left his station, and advancing into
the middle of the street, took off his hat, and said :
" Sir, we are not here for an assassination, as you seem
to suppose, but for a duel. Eh, mordi! come forward,
Monsieur de Maurevel, instead of turning your back. The
gentleman accepts."
" Maurevel ! " cried De Mouy ; " Maurevel, the assassin
of my father ! Maurevel, the king's assassin ! Ah, par-
dieu! Yes, I accept."
And taking aim at Maurevel, who was about to knock
at the Hotel de Guise to request a reinforcement, he sent
a ball through his hat.
At the noise of the report and Maurevel's cries, the
guard which had escorted Madame de Kevers came out,
accompanied by three or four gentlemen, followed by their
pages, and approached the house of young De Mouy's
mistress.
A second pistol-shot, fired into the midst of the troop,
killed the soldier next to Manrevel ; after which, De
Mouy, having no longer any loaded arms, sheltered him-
self within the gallery of the balcony.
Meantime, windows began to be opened in every direc-
tion, and according to the respective dispositions of their
DUMAS \ r OL. III. 6
92 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
pacific or bellicose inhabitants, were closed, or bristled
with muskets and arquebusses.
" Help ! my worthy Mercandon," shouted De Mouy,
making a sign to a man in years, who from a window
which opened in front of the Hdtel de Guise, was trying
to make out the cause of the confusion.
" Is it you who call, Sire de Mouy ? " cried the old man ;
" is it you they are attacking ? "
" Me you all the Protestants ; and there there is the
proof !"
That moment, De Mouy had seen La Huriere direct his
arquebuss at him : it was fired ; but the young man
stooped, and the ball broke a window behind him.
" Mercandon I" exclaimed Coconnas, who, in his delight
at sight of the tumult, had forgotten his creditor, but
was reminded of him by this apostrophe of De Mouy
" Mercandou, Rue du Chaume that is it ! Ah, he lives
there ! Good ! We shall each arrange our affairs with
our men ! "
And, whilst the people from the Hdtel de Guise broke
in the doors of De Mouy's house, and Mau revel, torch in
hand, tried to set it on fire whilst, the doors once broken,
there was a fearful struggle with an antagonist who at
each pistol-shot and each rapier-thrust brought down his
foe Coconnas tried, by the help of a paving-stone, to
break in the door of Mercandon, who, unmoved by this
solitary effort, was doing his best with his arquebuss out
of his window.
And now, all this desert and obscure quarter was lighted
up, as if by open day peopled like the interior of an ant-
hive ; for, from the H6tel de Montmorency, six or eight
Huguenot gentlemen, with their servants and friends, issu-
ing forth, made a furious charge, and began, supported
by the firing from the windows, to repulse MaurevePs
and the De Guises' force, whom at length they drove back
to the place whence they had come.
Coconnas, who had not yet managed to drive in Mer-
candon's door, though he tried to do so with all his might,
was surprised in this sudden retreat. Placing his back
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 93
to the wall, and grasping his sword firmly, he began, not
only to defend himself, but to attack his assailants, with
cries so terrible, that they were heard above all the up-
roar. He struck right and left, hitting friends and
enemies, until a wide space was cleared around him. In
proportion as his rapier made a hole in some breast, and
the warm blood spurted over on his hands and face, he,
with dilated eye, expanded nostrils, and clenched teeth,
regained the ground he had lost, and again approached
the beleaguered house.
De Mouy, after a terrible combat in the staircase and
hall, had ended by coming out of the burning house like
a true hero. In the midst of all the struggle, he had not
ceased to cry : " Here, Maurevel ! Maurevel, where are
you ? " insulting him by the most opprobrious epithets.
He at length appeared in the street, supporting on one
arm his mistress, half naked and nearly fainting, and
holding a poniard between his teeth. His sword, flaming
by the sweeping action he gave it, traced circles of white
or red, according as the moon' glittered on the blade, or a
flambeau glared on its blood-stained brightness. Maurevel
had fled. La Huriere, driven back by De Mouy as far as
Coconnas, who did not recognize him, and received him
at sword's point, entreated mercy on both sides. At this
moment, Mercandon perceived him, and knew him, by
his white scarf, to be one of the murderers. He fired.
La Huriere shrieked, threw up his arms, dropped his
arquebuss, and, after having vainly attempted to reach
the wall, in order to support himself, fell with his face flat
on the earth.
De Mouy, profiting by this circumstance, turned down
the Rue de Paradis, and disappeared.
Such had been the resistance of the Huguenots, that
the De Guise party, quite repulsed, had retired into their
hotel, fearing to be besieged and taken in their own
habitation.
Coconnas, who, drunk with blood and riot, had reached
that degree of excitement when, with the men of the
South more especially, courage changes into madness, had
94 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
not seen or heard anything, was going towards a man
lying with his face downwards in a pool of blood, and
whom he recognized for La Huriere, when the door of the
house he had in vain tried to burst in opened, and old
Mercandon, followed by his son and two nephews, rushed
upon him.
" Here he is ! here he is ! " cried they all, with one
voice.
Coconnas was in the middle of the street, and fearing
to be surrounded by these four men who assailed him at
once, gave one of those chamois bounds which he had so
often practised in his native mountains, and in an instant
found himself with his back against the wall of the H6tel
de Guise. Once at ease as to not being surprised from
behind, he put himself in a posture of defense, and said,
jestingly, " Ah 1 ah ! Daddy Mercandon, don't you know
me?"
"Wretch!" cried the old Huguenot, "I know you
well ; you are engaged against me me, the friend and
companion of your father ! "
" And his creditor, are you not ? "
"Yes ; his creditor, as you say."
" Well, then, " said Coconnas, " I have come to settle
the account."
" Seize him, bind him ! " said Mercandon to the young
men who accompanied him, and who at his bidding rushed
towards the Piedmontese.
" One moment ! one moment ! " said Coconnas, laughing,
" to seize a man you must have a writ, and you have
forgotten that."
And with these words, he crossed his sword with the
young man nearest to him and at the first blow cut his
wrist to the bone.
The wounded man retreated, with a shriek of agony.
" That will do for one !" said Coconnas.
At the same moment, the window under which Cocon-
nas had sought shelter, opened. He sprang on one side,
fearing an attack from behind ; but, instead of an enemy,
it was a woman he beheld ; instead of the enemy's weapon
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 95
he was prepared to encounter, it was a nosegay that fell
at his feet.
"Ah I "he said, " a woman!" He saluted the lady
with his sword, and stooped to pick up the bouquet.
"Be on your guard, brave Catholic 1 be on your
guard ! " cried the lady.
Coconnas rose, but not before the dagger of the second
nephew had pierced his cloak, and wounded his other
shoulder.
The lady uttered a piercing shriek.
Coconnas thanked her, assured her by a gesture, and
then made a pass at the nephew, which he parried ; but at
the second thrust, his foot slipped in the blood, and Co-
connas, springing at him like a tiger-cat, drove his sword
through his breast.
" Good ! good ! brave cavalier ! " exclaimed the lady
of the H6tel de Guise " good ! I will send you
succor."
" Do not give yourself any trouble about that, madame,"
was Coconnas's reply ; ' ' rather look on to the end, if it
interests you, and see how the Comte Annibal de Coconnas
settles the Huguenots."
At this moment the son of old Mercandon placed a
pistol almost close to Coconnas, and fired. The count fell
on his knee. The lady at the window shrieked again ;
but Coconnas rose instantly ; he had only knelt to avoid
the ball, which struck the wall about two feet beneath
where the lady was standing.
Almost at the same moment there issued a cry of rage
from the window of Mercandon's house, and an old woman
who recognized Coconnas as a Catholic, from his white
scarf and cross, threw a flower-pot at him, which struck
him above the knee.
" Bravo !" said Coconnas ; " one throws me flowers and
the other flower-pots."
" Thanks, mother thanks ! " said the young man.
<f Go on wife, go on," said old Mercandon ; "but take
care of yourself."
" Ah I" said Coconnas, " the women are in arms, then,
96 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
some for me, and others against me ! Mordi f let us end
this."
The scene, in fact, was much changed ; and evidently
drew near its close. Coconnas was wounded in the face,
it is true, but in all the vigour of four-and-twenty, used
to arms, and irritated rather than weakened by the three
or four scratches he had received ; whilst on the other side
there remained only Mercandon and his son, an old man
of sixty or seventy years, and a stripling of sixteen or
eighteen, pale, fair, and weak, and who, having discharged
his pistol, which was consequently useless, was brandish-
ing a sword half the length of that of the Piedmontese.
The father, armed only with a dagger and a discharged
arquebtiss, was calling for help. An old woman, looking
out of the window, held a piece of marble in her hand,
which she was preparing to hurl down. Coconnas, ex-
cited on the one hand by menaces, and on the other by
encouragements, proud of his twofold victory, drunken
with powder and blood, lighted by the reflection of a
house in flames, warmed by the idea that he was fighting
under the eyes of a female whose beauty was as superior
as he felt assured she was of high rank Coconnas, like
the last of the Horatii, felt his strength redouble, and
seeing the young man falter, rushed on him and crossed
his small weapon with his terrible and bloody rapier.
Two blows sufficed to drive it out of his hands. Then
Mercandon tried to drive Coconnas back, so that the pro-
jectiles thrown from the window might be sure to strike
him, but Coconnas, to paralyze the double attack of the
old man, who tried to stab him with his dagger, and the
mother of the young man, who was endeavoring to break
his skull with the stone she was ready to throw, seized his
adversary by the body, presenting him against all the
blows, as a buckler, and well nigh strangling him in his
Herculean grasp.
" Help ! help ! " cried the young man, " he is break-
ing my breast-bone help ! help ! " and his voice grew
faint in a low and choking groan.
Then Mercandon ceased to attack, and began to entreat.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 97
" Mercy, mercy ! Monsieur de Coconnas, mercy ! he
is my only child ! "
" He is my son, my son ! " cried the mother ; " the
hope of oar old age ! Do not kill him, sir do not kill
him ! "
" Really," cried Coconnas, bursting into laughter, " not
kill him ! What did he mean, then, to do with me, with
his sword and pistol ? "
" Sir," said Mercandon, clasping his hands, " I have at
home your father's undertaking, I will return it to you
I have ten thousand crowns of gold, I will give them to
you I have the jewels of our family, they shall be yours ;
but do not kill him ! do not kill him ! "
" And I have my love," said the lady in the H6tel de
Guise, in a low tone, "and I promise it you."
Coconnas reflected a moment, and said suddenly :
" Are you a Huguenot ? "
" Yes," murmured the youth.
* ' Then you must die ! " replied Coconnas, frowning,
and putting to his adversary's breast his keen and glitter-
ing dagger.
" Die ! " cried the old man ; " my poor child, die !"
And the shriek of the mother resounded so piercingly
and loud, that for a moment it shook the firm resolution
of the Piedmontese.
ei Oh, madame la duchesse ! " cried the father turning
towards the lady at the H6tel de Guise, " intercede for
us, and every morning and evening you shall be remem-
bered in our prayers."
" Then let him be a convert," said the lady.
' f I am a Protestant," said the boy.
" Then die ! " exclaimed Coconnas, lifting his dagger ;
" die ! since you will not accept the life which that lovely
mouth offers to you." Mercandou and his wife saw the
blade of that deadly weapon gleam like lightning above
the head of their son.
" My son Olivier," shrieked his mother, " abjure, ab-
jure!"
" Abjure, my dear boy 1 " cried Mercandon, going on
7
98 MARGUERITE DE VALOIB.
his knees to Coconnas ; " do not leave us alone on the
earth!"
"Abjure altogether," said Coconnas ; " for one Credo,
three souls and one life."
" I will ! " said the youth.
" We will ! " cried Mercandon and his wife.
" On your knees then," said Coconnas, " and let your
son repeat after me, word for word, the prayer I shall
say."
The father obeyed first.
" I am ready," said the son, also kneeling.
Coconnas then began to repeat in Latin the words of the
Credo. But whether from chance or calculation, young
Olivier knelt close to where his sword had fallen. Scarcely
did he see this weapon within his reach, than, not ceasing
to repeat the words which Coconnas dictated, he stretched
out his hand to take it up. Coconnas watched the move-
ment, although he pretended not to see it ; but at the
moment when the young man touched the handle of the
sword with his fingers, he rushed on him, knocked him
over, and plunged his dagger in his throat, exclaiming :
" Traitor !
The youth uttered one cry, raised himself convulsively
on his knee, and fell dead.
" Ah, ruffian ! " shrieked Mercandon, " you slay us to
rob us of the hundred rose nobles you owe us."
" Ma foi I no," said Coconnas, " and here's the proof ; "
and so saying, he threw at the old man's feet the purse
which his father had given him before his departure to
pay his creditor.
" And here's your death ! " cried the old woman from
the window.
" Take care, M. de Coconnas take care ! " called out
the lady at the Hotel de Guise.
But before Coconnas could turn his head to comply
with this advice, or get out of the way of the threat, a
heavy mass came hissing through the air, falling on the
hat of the Piedmontese, breaking his sword, and prostrat-
ing him on the pavement : he was overcome, crushed, so
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 99
that he did not hear the double cry of joy and distress
which came from the right and left.
Mercandon instantly rushed dagger in hand on Cocon-
nas, bereft of sense ; but at this moment the door of the
Hotel de Guise opened, and the old man, seeing swords
and partisans gleaming, fled, whilst the lady he had called
the duchess, whose beauty seemed terrible by the light of
the flames, all dazzling as she was with gems and diamonds,
leaned half out of the window, in order to direct the new-
comers, her arm extended towards Coconnas.
" There ! there ! in front of me a gentleman in a red
doublet. There I that is he yes, that is he."
CHAPTEE X.
DEATH, MASS, OE THE BASTILLE.
MARGUERITE, as we have said, had shut the door, and
returned to her chamber. But as she entered, all breath-
less, she saw Gillonne, who, terror-struck, was leaning
against the door of the cabinet, gazing on the traces of
blood on the bed, the furniture, and the carpet.
" Oh, madame," she exclaimed, " is he then dead ? "
" Silence, Gillonne ! " and Gillonne was silent.
Marguerite then took from her gypsire a small gold key,
opened the door of the cabinet, and pointed to the young
man.
La Mole had succeeded in raising himself, and going
towards the window ; a small poniard, such as females of
the period wore, was in his hand.
' ' Fear nothing, sir," said Marguerite ; " for, on my soul,
you are in safety ! "
La Mole sank on his knees.
" Oh, madame," he cried, "you are more than a queen
yon are a divinity ? "
"Do not agitate yourself, sir," said Marguerite, "your
100 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
blood flows still. Oh, look, Gillonne, how pale he is 1
Let us see where you are wounded."
" Madame," said La Mole, trying to fix on certain parts
of his body the pain which pervaded his whole frame, " I
think I have a dagger-thrust in my shoulder, another in
my chest the other wounds are mere trifles."
" We will see," said Marguerite. " Gillonne, bring me
my casket with the balms in it."
Gillonne obeyed, and returned, holding in one hand a
casket, and in the other a silver basin and some fine Hol-
land linen.
" Help me to rouse him, Gillonne/' said Queen Mar-
guerite ; "for in attempting to rouse himself the poor
gentleman has lost all his strength."
"Oh !" cried La Mole, "I would rather die than see
you, the queen, stain your hands with blood as unworthy
as mine. Oh, never, never ! "
" Your blood, sir," replied Gillonne, with a smile,
"has already stained the bed and apartments of her
majesty."
Marguerite folded her mantle over her cambric dressing-
gown, all bespattered with small red spots.
" Madame," stammered La Mole, " can you not leave
me to the care of the surgeon ? "
" Of a Catholic surgeon, perhaps," said the queen, with
an expression which La Mole comprehended, and which
made him shudder.
" Come, Gillonne, let us to work ! "
La Mole again endeavored to resist, and repeated that
he would rather die than occasion the queen labor, which,
though begun in pity, must end in disgust ; but this ex-
ertion completely exhausted his strength, and falling back,
he fainted a second time.
Marguerite, then seizing the poniard which he had
dropped, quickly cut the lace of his doublet ; whilst Gil-
lonne, with another blade, ripped open the sleeves.
Next, Gillonne, with a cloth dipped in fresh water,
stanched the blood which escaped from his shoulder and
breast, and Marguerite with a silver needle with a round
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 101
point, probed the wounds with all the delicacy and skill
that Ambroise Pare could have displayed.
" A dangerous, but not mortal wound, acerrimum
humeri vulnus, non autem lethale," murmured the lovely
and learned lady-surgeon; "hand me the salve, Gil-
lonne, and get the lint ready."
Gillonne had already dried and perfumed the young
man's chest and arms, modeled on the antique, as well as
his shoulders, which fell gracefully back ; his neck shaded
by thick hair, and which seemed rather to belong to a
statue of Paros, than the mangled frame of a dying man.
" Poor young man ! " murmured Gillonne.
"Is he not handsome?" said Marguerite, with royal
frankness.
"Yes, madame ; but I think we should lift him on the
bed."
" Yes," said Marguerite, " you are right : " and the two
women, uniting their strength, raised La Mole, and de-
posited him on a kind of large sofa in front of the win-
dow, which they partly opened.
This movement aroused La Mole, who heaved a sigh ;
and opening his eyes, began to find that delightful sensa-
tion which accompanies every healing application to a
wounded man, when, on his return to consciousness, he
finds freshness instead of burning heat, and the per-
fumes of new applications instead of the noisome odor of
blood.
He muttered some unconnected words, to which Mar-
guerite replied by a smile, placing her finger on her month.
At this moment several blows were struck at the door.
" Some one knocks at the secret passage," said Mar-
guerite ; "I will go and see who it is. Do you remain
here, and do not leave him for a single moment."
Marguerite went into the chamber, and closing the door
of the cabinet, opened that of the passage which led to the
king's and queen-mother's apartments.
" Madame de Sauve ! " she exclaimed, retreating sud-
denly, and with an expression which resembled hatred, if
not terror : so true it is that a woman never forgives
102 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
another for carrying off from her even a man whom she
does not love : " Madame de Sauve 1 "
" Yes, your majesty 1 " she replied, clasping her hands.
"You here, madame?" exclaimed Marguerite, more
and more surprised, and at the same time more and more
imperative.
Charlotte fell on her knees.
"Madame," she said, "pardon me ! I know how guilty
I am towards you ; but if you knew the fault is not wholly
mine ; an express command of the queen-mother "
" Else ! " said Marguerite, " and as I do not suppose you
have come with the intention of justifying yourself to me,
tell me why you have come at all ?"
" I have come, madame," said Charlotte, still on her
knees, and with a look of wild alarm, " I came to ask you
if he were not here ? "
" Here I who ? of whom are you speaking, madame ?
for I really do not understand."
" Of the king 1 "
" Of the king ? What, do you follow him to my apart-
ments ? You know very well that he never comes hither."
"Ah, madame!" continued the Baroness de Sauve,
without replying to these attacks, or even seeming to com-
prehend them, "ah, would to Heaven he were here 1 "
" And wherefore ?"
" Eh, mon Dieu ! madame, because they are murdering
the Huguenots, and the King of Navarre is the chief of
the Huguenots. '*
" Oh ! " cried Marguerite, seizing Madame de Sauve
by the hand, and compelling her to rise ; " ah I I had
forgotten ! Besides, I did not think a king could run the
same dangers as other men."
" More, madame a thousand times more 1" cried Char-
lotte.
" In fact, Madame de Lorraine had warned me ; I had
begged him not to leave the Louvre. Has he done so ? "
" No, madame, he is in the Louvre ; but if he is not
here *
"He is not
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 103
" Oh ! " cried Madame de Sauve, with a burst of agony,
"then he is a dead man, for the queen-mother has sworn
his destruction 1 "
" His destruction I ah," said Marguerite, "you terrify
me impossible ! "
<( Madame/' replied Madame de Sauve, with that energy
which passion alone can give, " I tell you that no one
knows where the King of Navarre is."
61 And where is the queen-mother ? "
" The queen-mother sent me to seek M. de Guise and
M. de Tavannes, who were in her oratory, and then dis-
missed me."
" And my husband has not been in your apartment ? "
inquired Marguerite.
" He has not, madame. I have sought him everywhere,
and asked everybody for him. One soldier told me he
thought he had seen him in the midst of the guards who
accompanied him, with his sword drawn in his hand, some
time before the massacre begun, and the massacre has
begun this hour.'*
"Thanks, madame," said Marguerite ; " and although
perhaps the sentiment which impels you is an additional
offense towards me, yet, again, thanks ! "
"Oh, forgive me, madame!" she said, "and I shall
return to my apartments more fortified by your pardon, for
I dare not follow you, even at a distance."
Marguerite extended her hand to her.
" I will seek Queen Catherine," she said, " and return
to you. The King of .Navarre is under my safeguard ; I
'have promised him my alliance, and I will be faithful to
my promise."
" But suppose you cannot obtain access to the queen-
mother, madame ? "
" Then I will go to my brother Charles, and I will speak
to him."
" Go, madame, go," said Charlotte, " and may God guide
your majesty I "
Marguerite passed quickly along the passage, and Ma-
dame de Sauve followed her.
104 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
The Queen of Navarre saw her turn to her own apart-
ment, and then went herself towards the queen's chamber.
All was changed here. Instead of the crowd of eager
courtiers, who usually opened their ranks before the queen
and respectfully saluted her, Marguerite met only guards
with red partisans and garments stained with blood, or
gentlemen in torn mantles their faces blackened with
powder, bearing orders and despatches, some going in,
others going out, and all these entrances and exits made a
terrible and immense confusion in the galleries.
Marguerite, however, went boldly on until she reached
the antechamber of the queen-mother, which was guarded
by a double file of soldiers, who only allowed those to enter
who had the proper countersign. Marguerite in vain
tried to pass this living barrier : several times she saw the
door open and shut, and at each time she saw Catherine
moving and excited, as if she were only twenty years of
age, writing, receiving letters, opening them, addressing
a word to one, a smile to another ; and those on whom she
smiled most graciously, were those who were the most
covered with dust and blood.
Without the walls was heard, from time to time, the
report of fire-arms.
" I shall never reach him ! " said Marguerite, after hav-
ing made several vain attempts to pass the soldiers.
At this moment, M. de Guise passed : he had come to
inform the queen of the murder of the admiral, and was
returning to the butchery.
" Oh, Henri ! " cried Marguerite, " where is the King
of Navarre ? "
The duke looked at her with a smile of astonishment,
bowed, and, without any reply, passed on.
" Ah, my dear ReneV' said the queen, recognizing Cath-
erine's perfumer, " is that yon ? you have just left my
mother. Do you know what has become of my hus-
band?"
" His majesty the King of Navarre is no friend of mine,
madame that you know very well. It is even said," he
added, with a horrid smile " it is even said, that he yen-
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 105
tnres to accuse me of having been the accomplice, with
Queen Catherine, in poisoning his mother."
" No, no ! " cried Marguerite, " my good Rene, do not
believe that ! "
"Oh, it is of little consequence, madame !" said the
perfumer ; " neither the King of Navarre nor his party
are any longer to be feared ! "
And he turned his back on Marguerite.
" Ah, Monsieur de Tavannes ! " cried Marguerite, " one
word, I beseech you ! "
Tavannes stopped.
" Where is Henry of Navarre ? "
" Mafoi," he replied, in a loud voice, " I believe he is
somewhere in the city with the Messieurs d'Ale^on and
De Conde."
And then he added,in a tone so low that the queen alone
could hear :
" Your majesty, if you would see him to be in whose
place I would give my life go to the king's armory."
" Thanks, Tavannes thanks ! " said Marguerite ; " I
will go there."
And she went on her way thither, murmuring :
" Oh, after all I promised him after the way in which
he behaved to me when that ingrate, Henri de Guise, was
concealed in the closet I cannot let him perish ! "
And she knocked at the door of the king's apartments ;
but they were begirt within by two companies of guards.
" No one is admitted to the king," said the officer, com-
ing forward.
" But I " said Marguerite.
" The order is general."
" I, the Queen of Navarre ! I, his sister 1 "
" I dare make no exception, madame."
And the officer closed the door.
" He is lost ! " exclaimed Marguerite, alarmed at the
sight of all the sinister countenances she had seen. " Yes,
yes 1 I comprehend all. I have been used as a bait. I am
the snare which has entrapped the Huguenots : but I will
enter, if I should be killed in the attempt ! "
106 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
And Marguerite ran like a mad creature through the
corridors and galleries, when suddenly, whilst passing by
a small door, she heard a low chanting, almost as melan-
choly as it was monotonous. It was a Calvinistic psalm,
sung by a trembling voice in an adjacent chamber.
" The nurse of my brother the king the good Madelon
it is she !" exclaimed Marguerite. "God of the Chris-
tians, aid me now ! "
And, full of hope, Marguerite knocked at the little
door.
Soon after the counsel which Marguerite had conveyed
to him, after his conversation with Kene, and after quit-
ting the queen-mother's chamber, poor Phoebe, like a
good genius, opposing, Henry of Navarre had met some
worthy Catholic gentlemen, who, under a pretext of doing
him honor, had escorted him to his apartments, where a
score of Huguenots awaited him, who had rallied round
the young prince, and, having once rallied, would not
leave him so strongly, for some hours, had the presenti-
ment of that night weighed on the Louvre. They had re-
mained there, without any one attempting to disturb
them. At last, at the first stroke of the bell of St.-Ger-
main-FAuxerrois, which resounded through all hearts like
a funeral knell, Tavannes entered, and, in the midst of
a deathlike silence, announced that King Charles IX.
desired to speak to Henry.
It was useless to attempt resistance, and no one thought
of it. They had heard the ceilings, galleries, and cor-
ridors crack beneath the feet of the assembled soldiers,
who were in the courtyards, as well as in the apartments,
to the number of two thousand. Henry, after having
taken leave of his friends, whom he might never again
see, followed Tavannes, who led him to a small gallery
contiguous to the king's apartments, where he left him
alone, unarmed, and a prey to mistrust.
The King of Navarre counted here alone, minute by
minute, two mortal hours ; listening, with increasing
alarm, to the sound of the tocsin and the discharge of fire-
arms i seeing through a small window, by the light of the
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 107
flames and flambeaux, the victims and their assassins pass ;
understanding nothing of these shrieks of murder these
cries of distress not even suspecting, in spite of 'his
knowledge of Chzrles IX., the queen mother, and the
Duke de Guise, the horrible drama at this moment
enacting.
Henry had not physical courage, but he had better than
that he had moral fortitude. Fearing danger, he yet
smiled at and faced it ; but it was danger in the field of
battle danger in the open air danger in the eyes of all,
and attended by the noisy harmony of trumpets and the
loud and vibrating beat of drums, but now he was with-
out arms, shut up, immured in obscurity which was
scarcely sufficient to enable him to see the enemy who
might glide towards him, and the weapon that might be
raised to strike him.
These two hours were, perhaps, the most agonizing of
his life.
In the hottest of the tumult, and as Henry was begin-
ning to comprehend that, in all probability, this was some
organized massacre, a captain came to him, desiring the
prince to follow him to the king. As they approached, the
door opened, and closed when they entered. The captain
then led Henry to the king, who was in his armory.
When they entered, the king was seated .in an armchair,
his two hands placed on the two arms of the seat, and his
head falling on his bosom. As they entered, Charles
looked up, and on his brow Henry observed the perspira-
tion dropping from it like large beads.
"Good evening, Harry," said the king, roughly. "La
Chastre, leave us."
The captain retired, and a profound silence ensued.
Henry looked around him with uneasiness, and saw that
he was alone with the king. Charles suddenly arose.
" Mordieu ! " said he, passing his hands through his
light brown hair, and wiping his brow at the same time,
" you are glad to be with me, are not you, Harry ? "
" Certainly, sire," replied the King of Navarre, " I am
always happy to be with your majesty."
108 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Happier than if you were down there, eh ? " continued
Charles, following his own thoughts, rather than replying
to Henry's compliment.
" I do not understand, sire," replied Henry.
' Look out, then, and you will soon understand."
And with a quick gesture, Charles moved, or rather
sprung towards the window, and drawing his brother-in-
law towards him, who became more and more alarmed, he
pointed to him the horrible outlines of the assassins, who,
on the deck of a boat, were cutting the throats or drown-
ing the victims brought them at every moment.
" In the name of Heaven ! " cried Henry, " what is
going on to-night ?"
"To-night, sir," replied Charles IX., "they are rid-
ding me of all the Huguenots. Look down there, over the
Hotel de Bourbon, at the smoke and flames : they are the
smoke and flames of the admiral's house, which has been
fired. Do you see that body, which these good Catholics
are drawing on a torn mattress it is the corpse of the
admiral's son-in-law the carcass of your friend, Teligny."
" What means this ?" cried the King of Navarre, seek-
ing vainly by his side for the hilt of his dagger, and trem-
bling equally with shame and auger ; for he felt that he
was, at the same time, laughed at and menaced.
"It means," cried Charles IX., furious, and turning
palo with intense rage, "that I will no longer have any
Huguenots about me. Do you hear me, Henry ? Am I
king ? am I master ? "
" Your majesty "
" My majesty kills and massacres at this moment all
that is not Catholic, at my pleasure. Are you Catholic ?"
exclaimed Charles, whose anger rose like an excited sea.
"Sire," replied Henry, "do you remember your own
words, c What matters the religion of those who serve me
well!'"
" Ah ! ah ! ah ! " cried Charles, bursting into a ferocious
laugh ; "you ask me if I remember my words, Henry !
' Verba volant,' as my sister Margot says ; and had not all
those" and he pointed to the city with his finger
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 109
fe served me well, also ? Were they not brave in battle,
wise in council, deeply devoted ? They were all useful
subjects but they were Huguenots, and I want none but
Catholics. "
Henry remained silent.
" Well ! do you understand me now, Harry ? " asked
Charles.
"I understand, sire."
" Well ? "
" Well, sire ! I do not see why the King of Navarre
should not do what so many gentlemen and poor folk have
done. For if they all die, poor unfortunates, it is because
the same terms have been proposed to them which your
majesty proposes to me, and they have refused, as I refuse."
Charles seized the arm of the young prince, and fixed
on him a look whose vacancy suddenly changed into a
fierce and savage scowl.
" What ! " he said, ' ' do you believe that I have taken
the trouble to offer the alternative of the mass to those
whose throats are being cut down there ?"
" Sire," said Henry, disengaging his arm, " will you
not die in the religion of your fathers ?"
" Yes, mordieu ! and thou ? "
" Well, sire, I will do the same ! " replied Henry.
Charles uttered a cry of fierce rage, and seized with
trembling hand his arqnebuss placed on the table. Henry,
who, leaning against the tapestry, with the perspiration
streaming from his brow, was yet, owing to his presence
of mind, calm to all appearance, followed with the anxious
amaze of a bird fascinated by a serpent every movement
of the terrible king.
Charles cocked his arquebuss, and striking his foot with
blind rage, cried, as he dazzled Henry's eyes with the
polished barrel of the brandished weapon, " Will you ac-
cept the mass ? "
Henry remained mute.
Charles IX. shook the vaults of the Louvre with the
most terrible oath that ever issued from the lips of man,
and grew more livid than before.
HO MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Death, mass, or the bastille ! " he cried, taking aim
at the King of Navarre.
" Oh, sire ! " exclaimed Henry, " will you kill me me,
your brother-in-law ? "
Henry thus eluded, by his incomparable presence of
mind, which was one of the strongest faculties of his or-
ganization, the answer which the king demanded, for
doubtless had this reply been in the negative, Henry had
been a dead man.
As immediately after the last paroxysms of rage, there
is always the commencement of reaction, Charles IX. did
not repeat the question he had addressed to the Prince of
Navarre ; and, after a moment's hesitation, during which
he uttered a hoarse kind of growl, he turned towards the
open window, and aimed at a man who was miming along
the quay in front.
" I must kill some one I" cried Charles IX., ghastly as
a corpse, his eyes injected with blood ; and firing as he
spoke, he struck the man who was running.
Henry uttered a groan.
Then, animated by a frightful ardor, Charles loaded and
fired his arquebuss without cessation, uttering cries of joy
every time his aim was successful.
" It is all over with me ! " said the King of Navarre to
himself ; " when he sees no one else to kill, he will kill
me!"
" Well ! " said a voice behind the princes, suddenly,
" is it done ? "
It was Catherine de Medicis, who had entered as the
king fired his last shot.
" No, thousand thunders !" said the king, throwing his
arquebuss on the floor. " No, the obstinate blockhead
will not consent ! "
Catherine made no reply. She turned slowly towards
the part of the chamber in which Henry was, as motion-
less as one of the figures of the tapestry against which he
was leaning. She then gave a glance to the king, which
seemed to say :
" Then, why is he alive ? J '
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. HI
" He lives, he lives ! " murmured Charles IX, who per-
fectly understood the glance, and replied to it without
hesitation " he lives, because he is my relative/*
Catherine smiled.
Henry saw the smile, and felt then assured that it was
with Catherine he must struggle.
" Madame/' he said to her, "all comes from you, I see
very well, and nothing from my brother-in-law, Charles.
You have laid the plan for drawing me into a snare. It
was you who made your daughter the bait which was to
destroy us all. It has been you who has separated me from
my wife, that she might not see me killed before her
eyes."
" Yes, but that shall not be ! " cried another voice,
breathless and impassioned, which Henry recognized in an
instant, and made Charles start with surprise, and Cath-
erine with rage.
" Marguerite 1 " exclaimed Henry.
" Margot ! " said Charles IX.
" My daughter ! " muttered Catherine.
" Sir/' said Marguerite to Henry, " your last words
were an accusation against me, and you were both right
and wrong. Kight, for I am the means by which they
attempted to destroy you : wrong, for I did not know
that you were going towards destruction. I myself, sir,
owe my life to chance to my mother's not thinking of
me, perhaps ; but as soon as I learned your danger I
remembered my duty, and a wife's duty is to share the
fortunes of her husband. If you are exiled, sir, I will be
exiled too ; if they imprison you, I will be your fellow-
captive ; if they kill you, I will also die."
And she extended her hand to her husband, which he
eagerly seized, if not with love, at least with gratitude.
" Oh, my poor Margot ! " said Charles, "you had much
better desire him to become a Catholic ! "
" Sire," replied Marguerite, with that lofty dignity
which was so natural to her, " for your own sake, do not
ask any prince of your house to commit a base action."
Catherine darted a significant glance at Charles.
112 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Brother/' cried Marguerite, who, as well as Charles
IX., understood the terrible dumb-show of Catherine,
" remember, you made him my husband 1 "
Charles was for a time stupefied between the imperative
look of Catherine and the supplicating regard of Margue-
rite, but after a pause, he said in a whisper to Catherine :
" Faith, madame, Margot is right, and Harry is my
brother-in-law. "
"Yes," was Catherine's reply, in a similar whisper to
her son ; " yes, but if he were not "
CHAPTEE XI.
THE HAWTHORN OF THE CEMETEKY OF THE INNOCENTS.
WHEN she had reached her own apartments, Marguerite
vainly endeavored to divine the words which Catherine de
Medicis had whispered to Charles IX., and which had cut
short the terrible interview on which hung life and
death.
A part of the morning was employed by her in attend-
ing to La Mole, and the other in trying to guess the
enigma, which her mind could not discover.
The King of Navarre remained a prisoner in the Louvre,
whilst the pursuit of the Huguenots was hotter than ?yer.
To the terrible night had succeeded a day of massacre
still more horrible. It was no longer the tocsin and bells
that sounded, but the Te Deum, and the echoes of this
joyous anthem, resounding in the midst of fire and
slaughter, were perhaps more sad by the light of the sun
than had been the knell of the previous night sounding in
darkness. This was not all. Strange to say, a hawthorn-
tree, which had blossomed in the spring, and which, ac-
cording to custom, had lost its odorous flowers in the
month of June, had reblossomed during the night, and
the Catholics, who saw in this even a miracle, and who by
rendering tkis miracle popular made the Deity their
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. 113
accomplice, went in procession, cross and banner at their
head, to the Cemetery of the Innocents, where this haw-
thorn was blooming. This kind of assent from Heaven
had redoubled the efforts of the assassins, and whilst the
city continued to present in each street and thoroughfare
a scene of desolation, the Louvre had become the common
tomb for all Protestants who had been shut up there when
the signal was given. The King of Navarre, the Prince
de Conde, and la Mole, were the only survivors.
Assured as to La Mole, whose wounds were progressing
well, Marguerite was occupied now with one sole idea,
which was to save her husband's life, so pertinaciously
threatened. No doubt, the first sentiment which actuated
the wife was one of generous pity for a man for whom,
as for the Bearnais, she had sworn, if not love, at least
alliance; but there was, beside, another less pure senti-
ment which had penetrated the queen's heart.
Marguerite was ambitious, and had foreseen almost the
certainty of royalty in her marriage with Henry de Bour-
bon, and if she lost him, it was not only a husband, but a
throne she lost.
Whilst wrapped in her reflections, she heard a knock at
the secret door. She started ; for three persons only came
by that door the king, the queen-mother, and the Duke
d'Alengou. She half opened the door of the cabinet,
made a gesture of silence to Grillonne and La Mole, and
then opened the door to her visitor.
It was the Duke d'Alenc.on. The young prince had
disappeared since the evening. For a moment, Margue-
rite had had the idea of claiming his intercession for the
King of Navarre, but a terrible idea restrained her.
The marriage had taken place contrary to his wishes.
Francois detested Henry, and had only evinced his neutral-
ity towards the Bearnais, because he was convinced that
Henry and his wife had remained strangers to each other.
Marguerite therefore shuddered at perceiving the young
prince more than she had shuddered at seeing the king, or
even the queen- mother. D'Alen9on was attired with his
usual elegance. His clothes and linen gave forth those
114 MAEGUERITE DE VALOIS.
perfumes which Charles IX. despised, bat of which the
Dukes d'Anjou and d'Alen9on made continual use.
On his entrance, he pressed his pale thin lips against
the forehead of his sister. Then, sitting down, he began
to relate to his sister the bloody particulars of the night :
the lingering and terrible death of the admiral, the in-
stantaneous death of Teligny, pierced by a ball. He
paused and emphasised all the more horrid details of this
night, with that love of blood peculiar to himself and his
two brothers ; and -Marguerite did not interrupt him until
he had finished.
" It was not to tell me this only," she then said, " that
you came hither, brother ? "
The Duke d'Alen9on smiled.
" You have something else to say to me ? "
" No," replied the duke ; "I am waiting."
" Waiting ! for what ? "
"Did you not tell me, dearest Marguerite," said the
duke, drawing his chair close up to that of his sister,
" that this marriage with the King of Navarre was con-
tracted against your will ? "
" Yes, no doubt. I did not know the Prince of B6arn,
when he was proposed to me as a husband."
" And after you knew him, did you not say that you
experienced no love for him ? "
" I said so, and it is true."
" Was it not your opinion that this marriage would
make you miserable ? "
" My dear Fra^ois," said Marguerite, " when a marriage
is not extremely happy, it is always excessively miserable."
" Well, then, my dear Marguerite, as I said to you I
am waiting."
" But for what are you waiting ? "
" Until you display your joy ! "
" What have I to be joyful for ? "
*' The unexpected occasion which offers itself for you
to resume your liberty."
"My liberty?" replied Marguerite, who was resolved
on allowing the prince to disclose all his thoughts.
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. H5
" Yes ; your liberty ! You will now be separated from
the King of Navarre."
" Separated ! " said Marguerite, fastening her eyes on
the young prince.
The Duke d'Alenqon tried to sustain his sister's look,
but his eyes soon sunk with embarrassment.
" Separated ! " repeated Marguerite ; " and how, bro-
ther ? for I should like to comprehend all you mean,
and by what method you propose to separate us ?"
" Why/' murmured the duke, " Henry is a Huguenot."
" No doubt ; but he made no mystery of his religion,
and they knew that when we were married."
" Yes ; but since your marriage, sister/' asked the
duke, allowing, in spite of himself, a ray of joy to il-
lumine his countenance ; " what has been Henry's be-
havior ? "
" Why, you know better than any one, Fra^ois, for he
has passed his days almost perpetually in your society,
sometimes at the chase, sometimes at mall, sometimes at
tennis."
"Yes, his days, no doubt," replied the duke; "his
days but his nights ? "
Marguerite was silent ; it was now her turn to cast
down her eyes.
" His nights/' repeated the Duke d'Aleii9on, " his
nights?"
" Well," inquired Marguerite, feeling that it was re-
quisite that she should say something in reply.
" Well, he passes them with Madame de Sauve 1 "
" How do you know that ?" exclaimed Marguerite.
" I know it, because I had an interest in knowing it/'
replied the young prince, picking the embroidery of his
sleeves.
Marguerite began to understand what Catherine had
whispered to Charles, but affected to remain in igno-
rance.
" Why do you tell me this, brother ? " she replied, with
a well-affected air of melancholy ; " was it for the sake of
recalling to me that no one here loves me or clings to me,
DUMAS YOL. III. G
116 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
not even those whom nature has given to me as protect-
ors, whom the Church has given me as my spouse ? "
" You are unjust/' said the Duke d'Alen9on, drawing
his chair still nearer to his sister, " I love you and pro-
tect yon ! "
" Brother/* said Marguerite, looking steadfastly at him,
" have you anything to say to me on the part of the
queen-mother ?"
" I ! you mistake, sister. I swear to you what can
make you think that ? "
" What can make me think that ? why, because you
break the intimacy that binds you to my husband, you
abandon the cause of the King of Navarre an alliance
with whom "
" Has now become impossible, sister/' interrupted the
Duke d'Alenc,on.
" And wherefore ? "
" Because the king has designs on your husband, and
dur mother has seen through them all. I allied myself to
the Huguenots, because I believed the Huguenots were in
favor ; but now they kill the Huguenots, and in another
week there will not remain fifty in the whole kingdom.
I held out my hand to the King of Navarre, because he
was your husband ; but now he is not your husband, what
can you say to that you, who are not only the loveliest
woman in France, but have the clearest head in the king-
dom ? "
" Why, I have to say/' replied Marguerite, " that I
know our brother Charles ; I saw him yesterday in one of
those fits of frenzy, every one of which shortens his life
ten years. I have to say that these attacks are, unfortu-
nately, very frequent, and that thus, in all probability, our
brother Charles has not very long to live ; and, finally, I
have to say that the King of Poland is just dead, and the
question of electing a prince of the house of France in his
stead is much discussed ; and when circumstances are
thus, it is not the moment to abandon allies, who, in the
moment of struggle, might support us with the strength
of a nation and the power of a kingdom/'
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. H7
" And you ! " exclaimed the duke, " do you not act
much more treasonably to me in preferring a stranger to
your own house ? "
" Explain yourself, Frai^ois ! in what have I acted
treasonably to you ? "
"You yesterday begged the life of the King of Navarre
from King Charles/'
" Well ? " said Marguerite.
The duke rose hastily, paced round the chamber twice
or thrice with a bewildered air.
" Adieu, sister ! " he said at last. ' ' You would not
understand me ; do not, therefore, complain of whatever
may happen to you."
Marguerite turned pale, but remained fixed in her
place. She saw the Duke d'Alen9on go away, without
making any attempt to detain him ; but scarcely had he
entered the corridor, than he returned.
" Sister Marguerite," he said, " I had forgotten one
thing; that is, that to-morrow, at a certain hour, the King
of Navarre will be dead."
Marguerite uttered a cry, for the idea that she was the
instrument of assassination caused in her a fear she could
not subdue.
" And you will not prevent this death," she said ; " you
will not save your best and most faithful ally ? "
" Since yesterday, the King of Navarre is no longer my
ally."
" Then who is ? "
" M. de Guise. By destroying the Huguenots, M. de
Guise has become the king of the Catholics."
" And is it a son of Henry II. who recognizes as his
king a Duke of Lorraine ? "
"You will not see things in a right light, Mar-
guerite."
" I confess that I seek in vain to read your thoughts."
" Sister, you are of as good a house as the Princess de
Porcian ; De Guise is no more immortal than the King of
Navarre. Well, Marguerite, suppose that Monsieur is
elected King of Poland ; well, I am King of France, and
118 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
you, my sister, shall reign with me, and be queen of the
Catholics."
Marguerite was overwhelmed at the depth of the views
of this youth, whom no one at court even thought pos-
sessed of common understanding.
" There is only one thing which can prevent this capital
plan from succeeding, brother," said she, rising as she
spoke.
" And what is that ? "
"That I do not love the Duke de Guise.**
" And whom, then, do you love ? "
" No one."
D'Alen9on looked at Marguerite with the astonishment
of a man, who, in his turn, does not comprehend, and left
the apartment, pressing his cold hand on his forehead,
which ached to bursting. Marguerite was alone and
thoughtful, when Queen Catherine sent to know if she
would accompany her in a pilgrimage to the hawthorn of
the Cemetery of the Innocents.
She sent word, that if they would prepare a horse, she
would most readily accompany their majesties.
A few minutes after, the page came to tell her that all
was ready ; and, after a sign to Gillonne to take care of
La Mole, she went forth.
The king, the queen-mother, Tavannes, and the prin-
cipal Catholics, were already mounted. Marguerite cast
a rapid glance over the group, which was composed of
twenty persons nearly, but the King of Navarre was not
of the party.
Madame de Sauve was there, and she exchanged a
glance with her, which convinced the Queen of Navarre
that her husband's mistress had something to tell her.
As they proceeded, the people shouted and cried, " Vive
le roi I Vive la messe ! Mort aux Huguenots 1"
When they reached the top of the Eue des Prouvelles,
they met some men who were dragging a carcass with-
out a head. It was that of the admiral. The men were
going to hang it by the feet at Montfaucon.
They entered the Cemetery of Saint Innocents, and the
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. H9
clergy, forewarned of the visit of the king and the queen-
mother, awaited their majesties to harangue them.
Madame de Sauve profited by a moment when Catherine
was listening to the discourse that was being made, to
approach the Queen of Navarre, and beg leave to kiss her
hand. Marguerite extended her arm towards her, and
Madame de Sauve, as she kissed the queen's hand, secretly
put a small piece of paper up her sleeve.
Quick and well managed as was Madame de Sauve's pro-
ceeding, yet Catherine perceived it, and turned round at
the moment when the maid of honor was kissing Mar-
guerite's hand.
The two women saw that look, which penetrated them
like lightning, but both remained unmoved ; only Madame
de Sauve left Marguerite, and resumed her place near
Catherine.
When the address was finished, Catherine made a ges-
ture, smilingly, to the Queen of Navarre, who went towards
her.
' ' Eh, my daughter," said the queen-mother, in her
Italian patois, "are you, then, on such intimate terms
with Madame de Sauve ? "
Marguerite smiled in turn, and gave to her lovely counte-
nance the bitterest expression she could, as she said :
" Yes, mother ; the serpent came to bite my hand ! "
" Ah, ah ! " replied Catherine, with a smile, " you are
jealous, I think ! "
"You mistake, madame," replied Marguerite ; "lam
no more jealous of the King of Navarre than the King
of Navarre is jealous of me, only I know how to dis-
tinguish my friends from my enemies. I like those who
like me, and detest those who hate me. If not, madame,
should I be your daughter ? "
Catherine smiled so as to make Marguerite understand
that, if she had had any suspicion, it had vanished.
At this moment arrived other pilgrims. The Duke de
Guise came with a troop of gentlemen all warm still with
recent carnage. They escorted a litter, richly covered
with tapestry, which stopped in front of the king.
120 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"The Da chess de Nevers!" cried Charles IX., "let
that lovely and pure Catholic come and receive our com-
pliments. Why, they tell me, cousin, that from your
window you made war on the Huguenots, and killed one
with a stone/'
The Duchess de Nevers blushed exceedingly.
" Sire," she said, in a low tone, and kneeling before the
king, "it was, on the contrary, a wounded Catholic,
whom I had the good fortune to rescue. "
" Good good, my cousin ! there are two ways of serv-
ing me."
During this time, the people again cried, " Vive le roi I
Vive le Due de Guise ! Vive la messe ! "
"Do you return to the Louvre with us, Henriette ?"
inquired the queen-mother of the lovely duchess.
Marguerite touched her friend on the elbow, who, un-
derstanding the sign, replied :
"No, madame, unless your majesty desire it ; for I have
business in the city with her majesty the Queen of Na-
varre."
" And what are you going to do together ? " inquired
Catherine.
" To see some very rare and curious Greek books found
at an old Protestant pastor's, and which have been taken
to the Tower of Saint Jacques la Boucherie," replied Mar-
guerite.
" Yon would do much better to see the last Huguenot
flung from the top of Pont-aux-Meuniers into the Seine,"
said Charles IX. ; " that is the place for all good French-
men."
" We will go, if it be your majesty's desire/' replied the
Duchess de Nevers.
Catherine cast a look of distrust on the two young
women. Marguerite, on the watch, remarked it, and
turning herself round uneasily, looked about her.
This assumed or real disquietude did not escape Cath-
erine.
" What are you looking for ? "
" 1 am seeking I do not see " she replied.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 121
" Whom are you seeking.? "
" Madame de Sauve," said Marguerite ; " she must have
returned to the Louvre."
" Did I not say you were jealous ! " said Catherine, in
her daughter's ear. " Oh, bestia ! Come, come, Hen-
riette," she added, " begone, and take the Queen of Na-
varre with you."
Marguerite pretended to look still about her ; then,
turning towards her friend, she said, in a whisper :
" Take me away quickly ; I have matters of great im-
portance to say to you."
The duchess saluted the king and queen-mother respect-
fully, and then, inclining before the Queen of Navarre :
" Will your majesty condescend to come into my
litter?"
" Willingly, only you will have to take me back to the
Louvre."
" My litter, like my servants and myself, are at your
majesty's orders."
Queen Marguerite entered the litter, whilst Catherine
and her gentlemen returned to the Louvre, and, during
the route, she spoke incessantly to the king, pointing
several times to Madame de Sauve ; and at each time the
king laughed as Charles IX. did laugh that is, with a
laugh more sinister than a threat.
As to Marguerite, as soon as she felt the litter in mo-
tion, and had no longer to fear the searching gaze of
Catherine, she quickly drew from her sleeve the note of
Madame de Sauve and read as follows :
' 1 1 have received orders to send to-night to the King of
Navarre two keys : one is that of the chamber in which he
is shut up, and the other is the key of my chamber ; when
once in my apartment, I am enjoined to keep him there
until six o'clock in the morning.
" Let your majesty reflect let your majesty decide. Let
your majesty esteem my life as nothing."
" There is now no doubt," murmured Marguerite ; " and
the poor woman is the tool of which they wish to make
122 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
use to destroy us all. But we will see if the Queen Mar-
got, as my brother Charles calls me, is so easily to be made
a nun of."
" And what is that letter abont ? " inquired the
Duchess de Nevers.
" Ah ! duchess, I have so many things to say to you ! "
replied Marguerite, tearing the note into a thousand bits,
and scattering them to the winds.
CHAPTEK XII.
. MUTUAL CONFIDENCE.
first, where are we going ?" asked Marguerite ;
"not to the Pont des Menniers, I suppose I have seen
enough slaughter since yesterday."
" I have taken the liberty to conduct your majesty "
" First and foremost, my majesty requests you to forget
my majesty ; you were taking me "
" To the Hotel de Guise, unless you decide otherwise."
" No, no, let us go there, Henriette ; the duke and
your husband are not there."
" Oh, no," cried the duchess, her bright eyes sparkling
with joy ; " no : neither my husband, my brother-in-law,
nor any one else. I am free free as air free as a bird ;
free, my queen ! Do you understand the happiness there
is in that word ? free ! I come, I go, I command. Ah,
poor queen, you are not free you sigh."
'< You come, you go, you command. Is that all ? Is
that all the use of liberty ?"
" Your majesty promised me that you would begin our
mutual confidence."
" Again, ' your majesty ! ' I shall be angry soon, Hen-
riette. Have you forgotten our agreement ? "
" No ; your respectful servant in public in private;
your madcap confidante. Is it not so, Marguerite ? "
" Yes, yes," said the queen, smiling.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 123
" No family rivalry, no treachery in love ; all fair and
open. An offensive and defensive alliance, for the sole
purpose of seeking, and, if we can, seizing, that ephemeral
thing called happiness."
" Just so, duchess. Let us again seal the compact with
a kiss."
And the two beautiful women, the one so roseate, so
fair, so animated, the other so pale, so full of melancholy,
united their lips as they had united their thoughts.
" What is there new ? " asked the duchess, fixing her
eyes upon Marguerite.
" Everything is new since the last two days, is it not ? "
" Oh, I am speaking of love, not of politics. When we
are as old as your mother, Catherine, we will think of
politics, but at twenty, let us think of something else.
Tell me, are you really married ? "
" To whom ?"
"Ah, you reassure me."
" Well, Henriette, that which reassures you alarms me.
Duchess, I must be married."
"When?"
" To-morrow."
" Oh, pauvre Marguerite ! and is it essential ?"
" Absolutely."
" Mordi ! as an acquaintance of mine says, this is
very sad."
" You know some one who says mordi f " asked Mar-
guerite, with a smile.
"Yes."
" And who is this acquaintance ? "
" You ask questions instead of answering them. Finish
your story, and then I will begin."
"In two words, it is this. The King of Navarre is in
love, and not with me ; I am not in love, and certainly not
with him; yet we must both of us change, or seem to
change, before to-morrow."
" Well, do you change, and he will soon do the same."
" That is quite impossible, for I am less than ever in-
clined to change."
124 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
" Only with respect to your husband, I hope."
" Henriette, I have a scruple."
" A scruple ! about what ? "
" Of religion. Do you make any difference between
Huguenots and Catholics ? "
" In politics ? "
"Yes."
"Of course."
" And in love ?"
"Macheref" we women are such heathens, that we
admit every kind of sect, and recognize many gods."
" In one, eh ? "
" Yes," replied the duchess, her eyes sparkling ; " he
who is called Eros, Gupido, Amor. He who has a quiver
on his back, wings on his shoulders, and a bandage over
his eyes. Mordi, vive la devotion ! "
" You have a peculiar method of praying ; you throw
stones on the Huguenots."
" Let them talk. Ah, Marguerite ! how the finest ideas,
the noblest actions, are spoilt in passing through the
mouths of the vulgar."
" The vulgar ! why, it was my brother Charles who
congratulated you on your exploits."
" Your brother Charles is a mighty hunter, who blows
the horn all day, which makes him very thin. I reject
his compliments ; besides, I gave him his answer. Did
you hear what I said ? "
" No ; you spoke so low."
" So much the better. I shall have more news to tell
you. Now, then, finish your story, Marguerite."
Whywhy "
"Well."
" Why, in truth," said the queen, laughing, " if the
stone my brother spoke of be a fact, I should not care to
tell you my story at all."
"Ah!" cried Henriette, "you have chosen a Hugue-
not. Well, to reassure your conscience, I promise you to
choose one myself on the first opportunity."
" Ah, you have chosen a Catholic, then."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 125
" Mordi ! " replied the duchess.
" I see, I Bee."
" And what is this Huguenot of yours ?
" I have not adopted him. He is nothing, and probably
never will be anything to me."
"But what sort is he? You can tell me that; you
know how curious I am about these matters."
" A poor young fellow, beautiful as Benvenuto Cellini's
Nisus, and who took refuge in my apartment."
" Oh, oh ! of course without any suggestion on your
part ? "
" Do not laugh, Henriette ; at this very moment he is
between life and death."
" He is ill, then ? "
"He is dangerously wounded."
" A wounded Huguenot is very disagreeable, especially
in these times ; and what have you done with this wounded
Huguenot, who is not, and never will be, anything to
you ? "
" He is hid in my cabinet : I would save him."
" He is young, handsome, and wounded you hide him
and wish to save him. He will be very ungrateful if he
do not show himself very grateful."
" He is already, I fear, more grateful than I could wish."
" And this poor young man interests you ?"
" Only for humanity's sake."
" Ah ! humanity's precisely the virtue that undoes all
us women."
' Yes ; and you see the king, the Duke d'Alen9on, my
mother, or even my husband, may at any moment enter
the apartment "
" Ay, you want me t.gnhide your Huguenot so long as
he is ill, upon conditio- send him back to you when he
is cured ? "
" No," said Marguerite, " I do not look forward so far ;
but if you could conceal the poor fellow if you could pre-
serve the life I have saved, 1 should be most grateful.
You are free at the Hotel de Guise ; you have no one to
watch you ; besides, behind your chamber there is a cabi-
126 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
net like mine, into which no one is entitled to enter ;
lend me this cabinet for my Huguenot, and when he is
cured, open the cage, and let the bird fly away."
" There is only one difficulty, my dear ; the cage is
already occupied."
" What, have you also saved somebody ? "
"That is exactly what I answered your brother with."
" Ah, ah ! that's why you spoke so low that I could not
hear you."
" Listen, Marguerite : the story is no less poetical and
romantic than yours. After I had left you six of my
guards, I returned with the rest to the Hotel de Guise.
I was looking at a house that was burning opposite, when
I heard the voices of men swearing, and of women crying.
I went out on the balcony, and saw, in the thickest of the
fight, a complete hero I like heroes an Ajax-Telamon ;
I stood trembling at every blow aimed at him, and at
every thrust he dealt, until, all of a sudden, my hero
disappeared."
" How ? "
"Struck down by a stone an old woman threw at him.
Then, like the son of Croesus, I found my voice, and
screamed, * Help ! help ! * My guards went out, lifted
him up, and bore him to my apartment."
" Alas ! I can the better understand this history, that
it is so nearly my own."
" With this difference, that as I have served the king
and the Catholic religion in succoring him, I have no
reason to send M. Annibal de Coconnas away."
" His name is Annibal de Coconnas I" said Marguerite,
laughing.
" A terrible name, is it not 9 Well, he who bears it is
worthy of it. Put on your ne <f., for we are now at the
hotel."
" Why put on my mask ?"
" Because I wish to show you my hero."
" Is he handsome ? "
" He seemed so to me during the conflict. In the morn-
ing, I must confess he did not look quite so well as at night,
MARGUEEITE DE VALOIS.
by the light of the flames. But I do not think you will
find great fault with him."
" Then my prot6g(3 is rejected at the H6tel de Guise ; I
am sorry for it, for that is the last place that they wonld
look for a Huguenot in."
" Oh, no ; your Huguenot shall come ; he shall have
one corner of the cabinet, and Annibal the other/'
" But when they recognize each other they will fight."
" Oh, there is no danger. M. de Coconnas has had a
cut down the face that prevents him from seeing very well ;
your Huguenot is wounded in the chest ; and, besides, you
have only to tell him to be silent on the subject of religion,
and all will go well."
" So be it."
" It's a bargain : and now let us go in."
" Thanks," said Marguerite, pressing her friend's hand.
(< Here, madame," said the duchess, " you are again
' your majesty,' suffer me, then, to do the honors of the
H6tel de Guise fittingly for the Queen of Navarre."
And the duchess, descending from the litter, almost
bent her knee as she aided Marguerite to alight ; then
pointing to the gate guarded by two soldiers, arquebuss
in hand, she followed the queen respectfully into the
hotel.
Arrived at her chamber, the duchess closed the door,
and, calling to her waiting-woman, a thorough Sicilian,
said to her in Italian, " How is M. le Cotnte ?"
" Better and better," replied she.
" What is he doing ? w
" At this moment, madame, he is taking some refresh-
ment."
" It is always a good sign," said Marguerite, " when the
appetite returns."
" Ah, I forgot you were a pupil of Ambroise Pare.
Leave us, Mica."
" Why do you send her away ? "
" That she may be on the watch."
" Now," said the duchess, " will you go in to see him,
or shall I send for him here ? "
128 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Neither the one nor the other. I wish to see him
without his seeing me."
" What matters it ? You have your mask."
" He may recognize me by my hands, my hair, my
ring."
" How cautions we are, since we've been married 1 "
Marguerite smiled.
" Well/' said the duchess, " I see only one way."
" What is that ? "
" To look through the keyhole."
" Take me to the door, then."
The duchess led Marguerite to a door covered with
tapestry ; raising this, she applied her eye to the keyhole.
" 'Tis as you could wish ; he is sitting at table, with his
face turned towards us."
The queen took her friend's place ; Coconnas was, as
the duchess had said, sitting at a table well covered, and,
despite his wounds, was doing ample justice to the good
things before him.
" Ah, mon Dieu ! " cried Marguerite.
" What is the matter ?" asked the duchess.
" Impossible ! no ! yes ! 'tis he himself ! "
"Who?"
" Chut," said Marguerite ; " 'tis he who pursued my
Huguenot into my apartment, and would have killed him
in my arms ! Oh, Henriette, how fortunate he did not
see me."
" Well* then, you have seen him in battle ; is he not
handsome."
" I do not know," said Marguerite, " for I was looking
at him he pursued."
" What is his name ?"
' ' You will not mention it before the count ? "
"No!"
" Lerao de la Mole."
" And now what do you think of my Annibal P "
"Of La Mole?"
" Of Coconnas ? "
"Ma foil" said Marguerite, "I confess I think -**
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 129
She stopped.
" Come, come," said the duchess, " I see you cannot
forgive his wounding your Huguenot."
" Why, so far," said Marguerite, smiling, " my Hugue-
not owes him nothing ; the cut he gave him on his
face "
" They are quits, then, and we can reconcile them.
Send me your wounded man."
" Not now by and by."
"When ?"
" When you have found yours a fresh chamber."
" Which ? "
Marguerite looked meaningly at her friend, who, after
a moment's silence, laughed.
" So be it," said the duchess ; " alliance firmer than
ever."
" Friendship ever sincere ! "
" And the word, in case we need each other."
" The triple name of your triple god, ' Eros, Cupido,
Amor."
And the two princesses separated after one more em-
brace, and pressing each other's hand for the twentieth
time.
CHAPTER XIII.
HOW THERE ABE KEYS THAT OPEN DOORS THEY ARE NOT
MEANT FOR.
THE Queen of Navarre, on her return to the Louvre,
found Grillonne in great excitement. Madame de Sauve
had come in her absence. She had brought a key sent
her by the queen-mother. It was the key of the cham-
ber in which Henry was confined. It was evident that
the queen-mother wished the Bearnais to pass the night
in Madame de Sauve's apartment.
Marguerite took the key, and turned it and turned it ;
she made Grillonne repeat Madame de Sauve's every word,
9
130 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
weighed them, letter by letter, and at length thought she
detected Catherine's plan.
She took pen and ink, and wrote :
" Instead of going to Madame de Sanve to-night, come
to the Queen of Navarre. MARGUERITE/'
She rolled up the paper, put it in the pipe of the key
and ordered Gillonne, as soon a& it was dark, to slip the
key under the king's door.
This done, Marguerite thought of the wounded man,
closed all the doors, entered the cabinet, and, to her great
surprise, found La Mole dressed in all his clothes, torn
and blood-stained as they were.
On seeing her he strove to rise, but could not stand,
and fell back upon the sofa which had served for his bed.
"What is the matter, sir ?" asked Marguerite ; "and
why do you thus disobey the orders of your physician ? I
recommended you repose, and instead of following my
advice you do just the contrary."
"Oh, madame," said Gillonne, "it is not my fault ; I
have entreated M. le Comte not to commit this folly, but
he declares that nothing shall keep him any longer at the
Louvre."
" Quit the Louvre ! " said Marguerite, astonished.
" Why, it is impossible you can scarcely stand ; you are
pale and weak ; your knees tremble. Only a few hours
ago, the wound in your shoulder still bled."
" Madame," said the young man, " as earnestly as I
thanked your majesty for having saved my life, as ear-
nestly do I pray you to suffer me to depart."
"I scarcely know what to call such a resolution," said
Marguerite ; "it is worse than ingratitude."
" Oh," cried La Mole, clasping his hands, " think me
not ungrateful ; my gratitude will cease only with my life."
"It will not last long, then," said Marguerite, moved at
these words, the sincerity of which it was impossible to
doubt ; " for your wounds will open, and you will die from
loss of blood, or you will be recognized for a Huguenot,
and killed, ere you advance fifty yards in the street."
MARGUERITE DE VALOE3.
" I must, nevertheless, quit the Louvre," murmured
La Mole.
" Must," returned Marguerite, fixing her full speaking
gaze upon him; "ah, yes : forgive me, I understand ;
doubtless, there is one who anxiously awaits you. I ap-
preciate the feeling, and reproach myself for not having
before thought of it ; I should have attended to your mind
as well as to your body/'
" Madame," said La Mole, "you are mistaken I am
well-nigh alone in the world, and altogether so in Paris.
My pursuer is the first man I have spoken to in this city ;
your majesty the first lady who has addressed me."
"Then," said Marguerite, " why would you go ?"
"Because," replied La Mole, "last night you had no
rest, and that to-night "
Margaret blushed.
" Gillonne/' said she, " it is time to take that key to
the King of Navarre."
Gillonne smiled, and left the room.
" But," continued Marguerite, " if you are alone, with-
out friends, what will you do ? "
" Madame, I soon shall have friends, for whilst I was
pursued, I saw the form of my mother guiding me to the
Louvre, and I vowed, if I were spared, to abjure. Heav-
en has done more than save my life it has sent me one of
its angels to make life dear to me."
" But you cannot walk ; you will faint before you have
gone a hundred yards."
" Madame, I have tried to walk in the cabinet ; I do so
slowly, it is true, but once outside the Louvre, I will take
my chance."
Marguerite leaned her head on her hand, and reflected
for an instant.
" And the King of Navarre," said she, emphatically,
" you do not speak of him ? In changing your religion,
have you also changed your desire to enter his service ?"
" Madame," returned La Mole, " I know that his
majesty runs a great risk at present, and that all your in-
fluence will scarce suffice to save him."
132 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" What ! " said Marguerite, " how know you that ? "
" Madame/' returned La Mole, after some hesitation,
"one can hear everything in this cabinet."
" Tis true/' said Marguerite to herself ; " M. de Guise
told rne so before."
" Well/' added she, aloud, " what have yon heard ? "
" In the first place, the conversation between your maj-
esty and your brother."
"With FranQois ?" said Marguerite.
" With the Duke d'Alen9on ; and since your departure,
that of Gillonne and Madame de Sauve."
" And it is these two conversations "
" Yes, madame ; married scarcely a week, you love your
husband ; to-night he will come, in his turn, in the same
way that the Duke d'AlenQon and Madame de Sauve have
come, he will discourse with you of his affairs : I do not
wish to hear ; I might be indiscreet I will give myself no
chance of being so."
At the last words, and their manner, Marguerite com-
prehended all.
" Ah ! " said she, " you have heard everything that has
been said in this chamber ?"
" Yes, madame."
These words were uttered in a sigh.
' ' And you wish to depart to-night, to avoid hearing
any more ? "
"This moment, if it please your majesty."
"Poor fellow!" said Marguerite, with an accent of
tender pity.
Astonished at so gentle an apostrcpbe, when he ex-
pected an abrupt reply, La Mole lifted his head timidly
his eyes encountered those of the queen, and remained
immovable before her penetrating glance.
" you are, then, incapable of keeping a secret, M. de la
Mole? "said the queen, who, seated in a large chair,
could watch La Mole's face whilst her own remained in
the shadow.
" Madame," said La Mole, " I distrust myself, and the
happiness of another gives me pain."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 133
" The happiness of whom ? Ah, yes of the King of
Navarre ! Poor Henry ! "
" You see." cried La Mole, passionately, "he is happy."
Happy ? "
"Yes, for your majesty pities him."
Marguerite played with the golden tassels of her alms-
purse.
" You will not, then, see the King of Navarre you are
quite resolved ? "
" I fear I should be troublesome to his majesty at pres-
ent."
" But the Duke d'AlenQon, my brother ? "
" Oh, no ! " cried La Mole, " the Duke d'Alen9on even
still less than the King of Navarre."
" Why so ?" asked Marguerite.
" Because, although I am already too bad a Huguenot
to be a faithful servant of the King of Navarre, I am not
a sufficiently good Catholic to be friends with the Duke
d'Alen9on and M. de Guise."
Marguerite cast down her eyes ; that which La Mole had
said, struck to her very heart.
At this instant Gillonne returned ; Marguerite, with a
look, interrogated her, and Gillonne, in the same manner,
answered in the affirmative ; the King of Navarre had
received the key.
Marguerite turned her eyes towards La Mole, who stood,
his head drooping on his breast, sad, pale, grief-laden, as
one suffering alike in mind and in body.
" M. de la Mole is so proud," said she, " that I hesitate
to make him an offer I fear he will repel."
La Mole rose, and advanced a step towards Marguerite,
but a feeling of faintness came over him, and he caught
at a table to save himself from falling.
"You see, monsieur," cried Marguerite, supporting
him in her arms, " that I am still necessary to you."
" Oh, yes ! " murmured La Mole, " as the air I breathe
as the light of heaven."
At this moment three knocks were heard at the outer
door.
134: MARGUERITE DE VALOE3.
' " Do you hear, madame ? " cried Gillonne, alarmed.
" Already 1 " exclaimed Marguerite.
"Shall I open?"
" Wait ! it is the King of Navarre, perhaps."
" Oh, madame ! n cried La Mole, recalled to himself by
these words, which the queen hoped had been heard by
Gillonne alone, " I implore I entreat you, let me depart.
Oh ! you do not answer. I will tell you all, and then you
will drive me away, I hope."
" Be silent," said Marguerite, who found an indescrib-
ble charm in the reproaches of the young man; "be
silent."
" Madame," replied La Mole, who did not find that
anger he expected in the voice of the queen, " madame, I
tell you again, I hear everything from this cabinet. Oh,
do not make me perish by tortures more cruel than the
executioner could inflict "
" Silence ! silence ! " said Marguerite.
" Oh, you are merciless ! you will not understand me.
Know, then, that I "
" Silence ! I tell you," said Marguerite, placing on .his
mouth her white and perfumed hand, which he seized, and
pressed eagerly to his lips.
" But " murmured he.
"Be silent, child ! who is this rebel that refuses to
obey his queen ? "
Then, hastily quitting the cabinet, she pressed her hand
to her heart, as if to control it.
" And now, open, Gillonne."
Gillonne left the apartment, and an instant after the
fine, intellectual, but at present somewhat anxious coun-
tenance of the King of Navarre appeared.
" You have sent for me, madame ? "
" Yes, sir. Your majesty received my letter ? "
" And not without some surprise, I confess," said Henry,
looking round with distrust, which, however, almost in-
stantly vanished from his mind.
" And not without disquiet," added Marguerite.
" I confess it ! But still, surrounded as I am by deadly
MAEGUERITE DE VALOIS. 135
enemies, by friends still more dangerous, perhaps, than
my open foes, I recollected that one evening I had seen a
noble generosity radiant in your eyes 'twas the night of
our marriage : that one other evening I had seen high
courage glance from them 'twas yesterday, the day fixed
for my death."
"Well, monsieur \" said Marguerite, smiling, whilst
Henry seemed striving to read her heart.
" Well, madame," returned the king, " thinking of these
things, I said to myself, when I read your letter : With-
out friends, for he is a disarmed prisoner, the King of
Navarre has but one means of dying nobly, of dying a
death that will be recorded in history. It is to die be-
trayed by his wife ; and I am come "
"Sir/* replied Marguerite, "you will change your tone
when you learn that all this is the work of a woman who
loves you, and whom you love."
Henry started back at these words, and his piercing gray
eyes were fixed on the queen, with earnest curiosity.
" Oh, reassure yourself, sir," said the queen, smiling ;
" I am not that person."
" But, madame," said Henry, " you sent me this key,
and this is your writing."
" It is my writing, I confess ; but the key is a different
matter : content you with knowing that it has passed
through the hands of four women before it reached
you."
"Of four women?"
" Yes," said Marguerite ; " those of Queen Catherine,
Madame de Sauve, Gillonne, and myself."
Henry pondered over this enigma.
" Let us speak plainly," said Marguerite. " Eeport says
your majesty has consented to abjure. Is that true ? "
"Report is somewhat premature; I have not yet con-
sented."
" But your mind is made up ? "
"That is to say, I am deliberating. At twenty, and
almost a king, there are many things that are well worth
a mass."
136 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Life, for instance ! "
Henry smiled.
" You do not tell me all," said the queen.
" I have reservations for my allies ; and you know we
are but allies as yet ; if indeed, you were both my ally
and
" And your wife, sir ? "
"Ma foi /yes, and my wife "
" What then ? "
"Why, then, it might be different, and I perhaps
might resolve to remain king of the Huguenots, as they
call me. But as it is, I must be content to live."
Marguerite looked at her husband in so peculiar a man-
ner, that it would have awakened suspicion in a less acute
mind than his.
" And are you quite sure of retaining even that ?" asked
she.
" Why, almost ; but, you know, in this world, nothing
is certain."
" Truly, your majesty shows such moderation, such
disinterestedness, that after having renounced your
crown, your religion, you may be expected to satisfy the
hopes of some people, and renounce your alliance with a
daughter of France ! "
There was a significance in these words that sent a
thrill through Henry's whole frame : repressing the emo-
tion, he said :
" Recollect, madame, that at this moment I am not my
own master : I shall therefore do what the King of France
orders me. As to myself, were I consulted the least in
the world on this question, affecting as it does my throne,
my honor, and my life, rather than build my future hopes
on this forced marriage of ours, I would enter a cloister or
turn gamekeeper."
This calm resignation, this renunciation of the world,
alarmed Marguerite. She thought, perhaps this rupture
of the marriage had been arranged between Charles IX.,
Catherine, and her husband, and the young queen felt
her ambition attacked.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 137
"Your majesty/' said Marguerite, with a sort of dis-
dainful raillery, " has no confidence in the star that
shines over the head of every king I "
"Ah," said Henry, "I cannot see mine ; it is hidden
by the storm that now threatens me ! "
" And suppose the breath of a woman were to dispel
this threatened tempest, and make the star reappear,
brilliant as ever ? "
< "T were difficult."
" Do you deny the existence of this woman ?"
"No, I deny her power."
" You mean her will."
" I said her power, and I repeat her power. A woman
is only powerful when love and interest are combined
within her in equal degrees : if either sentiment predom-
inates, she is, like Achilles, vulnerable ; and, for the
woman in question, if I mistake not, I cannot rely on her
love."
Marguerite made no reply.
" Listen," said Henry. " At the last stroke of the bell
of St.-Germain-1'Auxerrois, you most likely thought of re-
gaining your liberty, sacrificed to the interests of your
party. For myself, I thought of saving ray life : that
was the essential point. We lose Navarre, indeed ; but
what is that compared with your being enabled to
speak aloud in your chamber, which you dared not do
when you had some one listening to you in yonder
cabinet ? "
Marguerite could not refrain from smiling. The king
rose and prepared to seek his own apartment ; for it was
eleven, and everybody at the Louvre was, or seemed to be,
asleep.
Henry advanced towards the door, then, as if suddenly
recollecting the motive of his visit :
" Apropos, madame ! " said he. " Had you not some-
thing to communicate to me ? or did you desire to give me
an opportunity of thanking you for having saved my life ?
You came, I confess, like a goddess of antiquity, just in
time to save me."
188 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" What I " exclaimed Marguerite, seizing her husband's
arm ; " do you not see that nothing is saved, neither your
liberty, your crown, nor your life ? Infatuated Henry I
Did you, then, see nothing in my letter but an amorous
rendezvous ?"
" I confess, madame," said Henry, all astonishment ;
" I confess "
Marguerite shrugged her shoulders contemptuously.
At this instant a strange sound was heard, like a sharp
scratching at the secret door.
Marguerite led the king thither.
" Listen/' said she.
" The queen-mother is leaving her apartments," said a
trembling voice outside, which Henry instantly recognized
as that of Madame de Sauve.
" Where is she going ? " asked Marguerite.
"She is coming to your majesty."
And then the rustling of silk showed that Madame de
Sauve was hastening rapidly away.
" Oh, oh ! " said Henry.
" I was sure of this," said Marguerite.
" And I," replied Henry, " feared it, as this will prove."
And half opening his doublet of black velvet, he showed
the queen that he had beneath it a shirt of mail, and
a long Milan poniard, which instantly glittered in his
hand.
" They are needless," cried Marguerite, " Quick, quick,
sir 1 conceal that dagger ; 'tis the queen-mother, indeed,
but the queen-mother only."
Yet "
" Silence ! I hear her."
And she whispered something in Henry's ear, who
instantly hid himself behind the curtains of the bed.
Marguerite sprang into the cabinet, where La Mole
awaited her, and pressing his hand in the darkness
" Silence," said she, approaching her lips so near that he
felt her breath ; " silence ! "
Then, returning to her chamber, she tore off her head-
dress, cut the lace of her dress with her poniard, and
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 139
sprang into bed. It was time the key turned in the lock.
Catherine had a key for every door in the Louvre.
" Who is there ? " cried Marguerite, as Catherine placed
on guard at the door the four gentlemen by whom she was
attended.
And, as if frightened by this intrusion into her chamber,
Marguerite sprang out of bed in a white dressing-gown, and
then, seeming to recognize Catherine, came to kiss her hand
with so well feigned a surprise that the wily Florentine
herself was deceived.
CHAPTER XIV.
CATHERINE AND MARGUERITE.
THE queen-mother surveyed the chamber with eager
and curious eyes ; but the sight of Marguerite's velvet slip-
pers at the foot of the bed, her vestments thrown negligently
upon the chairs, joined to the well-feigned drowsiness
with which she endeavored to open her eyes, convinced
Catherine that she had really roused her daughter from
her slumbers.
Smiling, therefore, the self-complacent smile of one
whose plan of attack has been successful, she drew a chair
towards her, saying :
" Let us sit down, my child, and have a little talk to-
gether."
" I am all attention, madame."
" It is time," said Catherine, shutting her eyes and
speaking with that slowness peculiar to persons of great
reflection or equal dissimulation "it is time, I say, my
daughter, that you should know how ardently your brother
and myself desire to see you happy."
This was a somewhat alarming exordium for those who
were acquainted with Catherine's real disposition.
" What can she be about to say ?" thought Marguerite.
" Certainly," continued the Florentine, " in marrying
DUMAS VOL. III. 7
140 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
you, we fulfilled one of those acts of policy frequently
peremptorily demanded for the interest of the kingdom and
those who govern it ; but I must honestly confess to you,
my poor child, that we had no expectation that the indiffer-
ence manifested by the King of Navarre for one so young,
so lovely and fascinating as yourself, would have been so
obstinately persisted in."
Marguerite arose, and folding her robe de chambre
around her, curtseyed with ceremonious respect to her
mother.
'' I have heard to-night only (otherwise I should have
paid you an earlier visit) that your husband is far from
showing you those attentions you have a right to claim,
not merely as a beautiful woman, but as a princess of
France."
Marguerite gently sighed, and Catherine, encouraged by
this mute approval , proceeded :
" I am even assured the King of Navarre has a liaison
with one of my maids of honor, and that he openly avows
his disgraceful passion for her. Now, that he should
despise the affection of the superior being we have bestowed
upon him is unfortunately one of those evils which, power-
ful as we are, we have no means of remedying ; although
the meanest gentleman of our court would quickly demand
satisfaction for so great an insult."
Marguerite's eyes sought the ground. Her mother con-
tinued :
" For some time past, my daughter, I have been well
assured by your red and swollen eyes, as well as the bitter-
ness of your sallies against Madame de Sauve, that try as
you would, your poor wounded heart is not content to
bleed and break in silent sorrow."
Marguerite started a slight movement shook the cur-
tains of the bed, but, fortunately, it passed unperceived
by Catherine.
" Knowing all this, my beloved child," said she, with
increased gentleness and affection, " it follows, as a matter
of course, that a tender parent would seek to apply heal-
ing balm to the wound your heart has received. Have
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
not those, therefore who, hoping to secure your happi-
ness, dictated your marriage, but who, now, to their deep
regret, discover that the obscure coarse-minded boojr on
whom they bestowed your hand neglects your beauty and
despises your charms, and awaits but the first favorable
chance of separating himself from our family, and thrust-
ing you from his house have not, I ask you, those same
kind and watchful friends the right of securing your inter-
est by entirely dividing them from his, so that your future
prospects may offer a vista of greatness better suited to
your illustrious descent and surpassing merits ? "-
" I beseech you, madame," replied Marguerite, " to
pardon my presumption, in venturing to remark (after
observations so replete with maternal love, and so calcu-
lated to fill me with joy and pride, as those you have just
uttered), that after all your majesty has so ably advanced,
the King of Navarre is my husband/'
Catherine started with rage then drawing closer to
Marguerite she said : " He your husband ? Do the few
words pronounced over you by a priest warrant your styl-
ing him your husband ? Ah ! my child ! such a state of
things is a desecration, not a consecration of the marriage
ceremony. Were you Madame de Sauve, indeed, you
might make that assertion. But, wholly contrary to our
expectations, directly we bestowed your hand on Henry
of Navarre, he seemed more than indifferent towards you ;
permitting you, indeed, to hold the empty title of wife,
while another engrossed his time and affections. Come
with me. At this very moment, even," said Catherine,
raising her voice : " this key opens the door of Madame
de Sauve's apartment accompany me thither, and you
will gee "
"Oh, not so loud, madame! not so loud, I beseech
you ! " said Marguerite ; " for not only are you mistaken,
but "
" But, what ? "
" I fear you will awaken my husband ! "
As she said these words, Marguerite gracefully arose,
her white dress fluttering loosely around her, while the
142 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
large open sleeves displayed her matchless hand and arm ;
carrying one of the rose-colored tapers towards the bed,
she gently drew hack the curtain, and smiling signifi-
cantly at her mother, pointed to the King of Navarre,
who, stretched in easy negligence upon the couch, seemed
buried in profound repose.
Pale and wonder-stricken, her body thrown back as
though to avoid some abyss that had opened at her feet,
Catherine uttered not a cry, but a kind of savage yell.
" You perceive, madame," said Marguerite, "you were
misinformed."
Catherine alternately gazed from her daughter to the
sleeping king, and again scrutinized the features of Mar-
guerite ; but the countenance of the latter bore unshrink-
ingly the searching glances of the queen-mother, who bit
her thin lips with impotent rage at finding herself thus
baffled. After permitting Catherine to contemplate a pic-
ture as hateful to her as the head of Medusa, Marguerite
let fall the curtain, and walking on tip-toe back to her
chair, resumed her place beside Catherine, saying, " What
is your opinion at present, madame ? "
The Florentine again fixed her piercing looks on Mar-
guerite, as though she would read her very thoughts ; but
baffled and disconcerted by the calm placidity of her daugh-
ter's face, she rose in deep and concentrated fury, and
merely replying, " I have no further opinion than that
already expressed ! " hastened precipitately from the apart-
ment.
No sooner had the sound of her departing footsteps died
away in the vast corridor, than the bed-curtains opened a
second time, and Henry, with sparkling eye, trembling
hand, and panting breath, sprung to Marguerite's feet ;
he had hastily thrown off his velvet pourpoint, and
appeared merely in .his nether garments and his coat of
mail. Amid all her alarm and agitation, Marguerite
could not restrain a hearty laugh at the singular costume
adopted by a recently made husband tc pay a visit to his
bride's chamber ; while, at the same time, she kindly and
warmly pressed the hand of him she had so ably assisted.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 143
"Ah, madame ! ah, Marguerite ! " exclaimed the king,
" how shall I ever repay your goodness ? "
" Sir ! " replied Marguerite, gently retreating from the
warmth of his gratitude, " have you forgotten that an in-
dividual to whom you owe your life is at this moment in
dire uneasiness on your account ? Madame de Sanve,"
added she, in a lower tone, " has forgotten her jealousy
in sending you to me ; and to that sacrifice she may prob-
ably have to add her life, for no one knows better than
yourself how terrible is the anger of my mother."
Henry shuddered ; and rising, was about to quit the room.
" Upon second thoughts," said Marguerite, " I see no
cause for alarm. The key was given to you without any
directions, and you will be considered as having given me
the preference to-night. "
"And sol do, Marguerite ! Consent but to forget "
"Not so loud ! not so loud, sir 1" replied the queen,
employing the same words she had a few minutes before
used to her mother : " any one in the adjoining cabinet
can hear you. I must beg of you to use a lower tone."
" Oh ! "said Henry, half smiling, half gloomily, " that's
true ! I forgot that I was probably not the person with
whom the interesting events of to-day were to close !
This cabinet "
" Let me beg of your majesty to enter there," said
Marguerite ; " for I am desirous of having the honor of
presenting to you a brave gentleman, wounded during the
massacre, while endeavoring to make his way to the Louvre,
for the purpose of apprising your majesty of the danger with
which you were threatened "
The queen advanced towards the door, followed by Henry.
She opened it, and the king was thunderstruck at behold-
ing a man in this cabinet, fated to reveal such continued
surprises.
But, however great the king's astonishment, that of La
Mole, at thus unexpectedly finding himself in the presence
of Henry of Navarre, was still greater. The king cast an
ironical glance on Marguerite, who bore it without flinch-
ing.
144 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
" Sir," said she, " I am in dread that this gentleman
may be murdered even here, in the sanctuary of my apart-
ments ; he is devoted to the service of your majesty, and
for that reason I commend him to your royal protection."
" Sir," continued the young man, " I am the Count
Lerac de la Mole ; the same your majesty expected, who
was so warmly recommended to you by M. de Teligny,
who was killed by my side."
" Indeed ! " replied Henry ; " is it so, sir ? I remem-
ber the queen gave me a letter from that honorable gentle-
man ; but, methinks, if you be the Count de la Mole, you
should also be the bearer of a letter from the Governor of
Languedoc."
" Your majesty is right : such a paper was entrusted to
me, with earnest recommendation to deliver it into your
royal hands as soon as possible."
" And wherefore did you delay ? ''
" Sir, I was at the Lonvre yesterday evening, for that
purpose ;but your majesty was too much occupied to give
me audience."
"True ! " answered the king ; " but in that case why
not send the letter to me ? "
" Because M. d'Auriac had strictly charged me to give
it into no other hands than those of your majesty, since it
contained, he said, information so important that he feared
to entrust it to any ordinary messenger."
" The contents are, indeed, of a serious nature," said the
king, when he had received and perused the letter ; " ad-
vising my instant withdrawal from the court of France,
and retirement to Beam. M. d'Auriac, although a Cath-
olic, was always a stanch friend of mine ; and it is possi-
ble, that acting as governor of a province, he got scent of
what was in the wind here. Ventre-saint-gris ! mon-
sieur ! why was not this letter given to me three days ago,
instead of now ? "
" Because, as I before assured your majesty, that using
all the speed and diligence in my power, it was wholly im-
possible to arrive before yesterday. "
" That is very unfortunate," murmured the king ; " for
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 145
had you done so, we should at this time have been in
security, either at Kochelle, or in some broad plain sur-
rounded by two or three thousand trusty horsemen."
" Sir," said Marguerite, in an undertone, " what is
done is done, and instead of losing your time in useless
recrimination, it is expedient for you to make the best
arrangement you can for the future."
" Then," replied Henry, with his usual glance of inter-
rogation, "lam to suppose that, in my place, you would
not despair ? "
" Certainly not ; I should consider myself as playing
a game of three points, of which I had lost only the first."
"Ah, madame," whispered Henry, "if I durst but
hope that you would go partners with me in the game, I
should indeed natter myself with hopes of success."
" Had I intended to have sided with your adversaries,"
replied Marguerite, " I should scarcely have delayed thus
long in avowing my intentions."
" True I" replied Henry, " and I am very ungrateful ;
but, as you say, the past may still be repaired. But ma-
dame," continued he, attentively observing La Mole, " this
gentleman cannot remain here without causing you con-
siderable inconvenience, and being himself subject to very
unpleasant surprises. What will you do with him ?"
" Does your majesty consider there will be any diffi-
culty in getting him out of the Louvre ? for I am pre-
cisely of your opinion as regards his staying."
" I fear it will be both difficult and dangerous to attempt
such a thing as procuring egress for the young man."
"Then, could not your majesty find accommodation
for M. de la Mole in your own apartments ? "
" Alas, madame ! you speak as though I were still king
of the Huguenots, and had subjects to command. You are
aware that I am half converted to the Catholic faith."
Any one but Marguerite would have promptly an-
swered :
" And he also is a Catholic." But the queen wished
Henry himself to ask her to do the very thing she was de-
sirous of effecting ; while La Mole, perceiving the hesi-
10
146 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
tation of his protectress, and not knowing what to say or
do in so dangerous a court as was that of France, remained
perfectly silent.
" But what is this the governor says in his letter ? ' said
Henry, again casting his eyes over the missive he held in
his hand. " He states that your mother was a Catholic,
and from that circumstance originates the interest he felt
in you."
" And what were you telling me, M. le Comte, respect-
ing a vow you had formed to change your religion ? I
confess my recollection on the subject is somewhat con-
fused. Have the goodness to assist me, M. de la Mole.
Did not- your conversation refer to something of the
nature his majesty appears to desire ?"
" Alas ! madame, what I did say was so coldly received
by your majesty, that I had not the courage to repeat it."
"Simply, because it in no way concerned me," an-
swered Marguerite. " But explain yourself to the king
make fully known what you were desirous of stating to
me."
" What is the vow you referred to ? " asked the king.
" Let me hear."
" Sir/' said La Mole, " when pursued by assassins, my-
self unarmed, and almost expiring with pain and agony
from my wounds, I fancied I beheld the spirit of my
mother, holding a cross in her hands, and guiding me to-
wards the Louvre. Under this impression, I solemnly
vowed that if my life were preserved, I would adopt the
religion of my mother, who had been permitted to leave
her grave to direct me to a place of safety during that
horrible night. Heaven conducted me hither, where I hold
myself doubly secure, under the protection of a princess
of France and of the King of Navarre ; and in deep grati-
tude for the miraculous preservation vouchsafed to me, I
am ready to fulfil my vow, and become a Catholic."
Henry frowned. Skeptic as he was, he could well
understand a change of religion from motives of interest ;
but, as a matter of faith and conscience, it was wholly
beyond his comprehension.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" It is all over ! " thought Marguerite ; " the king evi-
dently will have nothing to do with my protege."
La Mole still remained a mute spectator of the rest of a
scene, in which he felt, without being able to define why,
that he played but a ridiculous part. Marguerite's tact
and woman's wit came again, happily, to his relief and
rescue.
" Sir," said she, " we both forget that the poor wounded
gentleman has need of repose. For myself, I am half
asleep. See ! he is growing pale, as though he would
faint."
La Mole did indeed turn pale ; but it was at Mar-
guerite's last words, which he had interpreted according
to his own ideas.
"Well, madame," answered Henry, "nothing can be
easier than for you and I to retire, and leave M. de la
Mole to take the repose he so much needs."
The young man fixed a supplicating look on Marguerite,
and, spite of the august presence in which he stood, sunk
upon a chair, overcome with fatigue and pain. Mar-
guerite fully comprehended the passionate love contained
in that glance, the utter despair, in the prostration of
strength which took from his limbs the power of support-
ing him.
" Sir," said she, " your majesty is bound to confer on
this young man, who periled his life for his king, since
it was while coming hither to acquaint you with the death
of the admiral and Teligny he received his wounds is
bound, I repeat, to confer on him an honor, for which he
will be ever grateful."
"What is it, madame?" asked Henry. "Command
me I am ready to do whatever you dictate."
" Tis to permit M. de la Mole to repose to-night at
your majesty's feet, while you, sir, can sleep on this couch.
With the permission of my august spouse," added Mar-
guerite, smiling, " I will summon Gilloime, and return to
bed ; for I can assure you I am not the least wearied of us
three."
Henry had shrewd sense, and a quick perception of
148 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
things ; friends and enemies subsequently found fault with
him for possessing too much of both. He fully admitted
that she who thus banished him from the nuptial bed was
well justified in so doing by the indifference he had him-
self manifested towards her and then, too, she had just
repaid this indifference by saving his life ; he therefore
did not allow his wounded self-love to dictate his answer,
but merely replied :
" If, madame, M. de la Mole were capable of coming to
my apartments, I would give him up my own bed."
"Nay," said Marguerite, " I scarcely deem that either
you or he would be in safety there to-night, and prudence
directs that your majesty should remain here until the
morning."
Then, without awaiting any farther reply from the king,
she summoned Gillonne, and bade her prepare the neces-
sary cushions for the king, and to arrange a bed at the
king's feet for M. de la Mole, who appeared so happy and
contented with the honor done him, as almost to forget
his wounds.
Then Marguerite, curtseying low to the king, passed
into the adjoining chamber, the door of which was well
furnished with bolts, and threw herself on the bed.
" One thing is certain," said Marguerite, mentally,
"that, to-morrow, M. de la Mole must have a protector
at the Louvre ; and he who, to-night, sees and hears noth-
ing, may change his mind to-morrow."
Then, calling Gillonne, she said in a whisper, " Gillonne,
you must contrive to bring my brother D'Alen9on here
to-morrow morning before eight o'clock."
The loud peal of the Louvre clock chimed the second
hour after midnight.
La Mole, after a short parley with the king on political
subjects, was left to his own reflections ; for Henry fell
asleep in the midst of one of his own speeches, and snored
as lustily as though he had been reposing on his own
leathern couch in Beam.
La Mole might also have sunk into the arms of sleep,
but his ideas were continually disturbed and disarranged
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 149
by his proximity to Marguerite, who, a prey to restless
thoughts, turned and re-turned on her pillow ; while the
mind of La Mole became occupied in sympathetic surprise
as to what could trouble the slumbers of one so highly
favored both by nature and fortune.
" He is very young and timid/' murmured the wakeful
queen ; " but his eyes are rich with manly expression, and
his form is one of nobleness and beauty ; 'twere pity he
should turn out otherwise than brave and loyal. Well,
well, 'tis useless speculating upon uncertain chances : the
affair has begun well, let us hope it will finish so ; and
now to commend myself to the triple deity to whom that
madcap Henriette pays homage, and court its aid to pro-
cure a visit from the drowsy god."
And as morning broke, Marguerite fell asleep, murmur-
ing, "Eros, Cupido, Amor."
CHAPTER XV.
WHAT WOMAN WILLS, HEAVEN" WILLS ALSO.
MAKGUEKITE was right. The rage which swelled Cath-
erine's bosom at sight of an expedient whose aim she per-
ceived, although powerless to prevent its effects, required
some person on whom she could freely vent it : instead,
therefore, of retiring to her own apartment, the queen
mother proceeded to those of her lady-in-waiting.
Madame de Sauve was expecting two visits, one she
hoped to receive from Henry, and the other she feared
was in store for her from the queen-mother. Reclining
on her bed only partially undressed, while Dariole kept
watch in the antechamber, she heard a key turn in the
lock, followed by a slow, measured tread, the heaviness
of which was prevented from reaching her ear through
the thickness of the rich carpets over which the newcomer
passed ; but she felt quite sure it was not the light, eager
footstep of Henry ; and guessing that Dariole had been
150 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
prevented from coming to warn her of the visitant who so
late intruded on her repose, she lay with beating heart
and listening ear, awaiting the nearer approach of friend
or foe, as it might turn out.
The curtain which covered the doorway was lifted
aside, and Catherine de Medicis appeared. She seemed
calm ; but Madame de Sauve, accustomed for two years
to the study of her crafty and deceitful nature, well knew
what fatal designs, as well as bitter thoughts of cruel venge-
ance, might be concealed beneath that cold imperturb-
able tranquillity of look and manner.
At sight of Catherine, Madame de Sauve was about to
spring from her bed, but Catherine signed to her to re-
main where she was ; and thus her unfortunate victim
was compelled to remain as though spell-bound, vainly
endeavoring to collect all strength to endure the storm
she felt was breaking over her.
" Did you convey the key to the King of Navarre ? "
inquired Catherine, in a voice which differed not from her
usual tone ; the only change was in her lips, which looked
paler and paler each instant.
" I did, madame," answered Charlotte, in a voice that
vainly sought to imitate the firm, assured manner of
Catherine.
"And have you seen him ? "
"No, madame ; but I expect him ; and when I heard
the sound of a key in the lock, I fully concluded it was he."
This reply, which indicated either a blind confidence or
profound dissimulation on the part of Madame de Sauve,
enraged Catherine beyond all power of concealment ; she
literally shook with passion, and clenching her small
plump hand, she said, with a malignant smile :
" 'Tis strange, methinks, you should expect the King
of Navarre in your apartments, when you perfectly well
know how unlikely it is he should be here ! "
" How, madame ? "
" Yes, I repeat, yon are fully aware that this night the
King of Navarre neither could nor would visit you."
" Nothing but death would prevent him, I feel confi-
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 151
dent," replied Charlotte, urged to a still more determined
dissimulation by the certainty of how bitterly she should
have to pay for her deceit, were it discovered.
"But did you not write to the king, my pretty Car-
lotta ? " inquired Catherine, with the same cruel and un-
natural smile.
" No, madame," answered Charlotte, with well-assumed
naivet^, " I cannot recollect receiving your majesty's com-
mands to do so."
A short silence followed, during which Catherine con-
tinued to gaze on Madame de Sauve as the serpent regards
the bird it wishes to fascinate.
" You think yourself a beauty and a skilful maneuverer,
do you not ? " asked Catherine.
"No, indeed, madame," answered Charlotte ; "I only
remember that there have been times when your majesty
has been graciously pleased to commend both my personal
attractions and address."
" Well, then," said Catherine, growing eager and ani-
mated, " whatever I may have said or thought, I now de-
clare that you are but a hideous dolt, when compared to
my daughter Margot."
"Oh, madame," replied Charlotte, " that is a fact I
seek not to deny least of all in your presence."
" It follows, then, naturally enough, that the King of
Navarre prefers my daughter to you ; a circumstance, I
presume, not to your wishes, and certainly not what we
agreed should be the case."
" Alas ! madame," cried Charlotte, bursting into a tor-
rent of tears which now flowed from . no feigned source,
" if it be so, I can but say I am very unfortunate ! "
" Then take my royal word for its truth," repeated
Catherine, again fixing her reptile-like eye upon her vic-
tim, till her words seemed to pierce her heart like a two-
edged dagger.
" But what reason has your majesty for coming to this
conclusion ? "
" Proceed to the apartments of the Queen of Navarre,
you incredulous simpleton ! and you will find your lover
152 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
there. How like you that ? Does it excite your jeal-
ousy ? "
"Me jealous?" said Madame de Sauve, recalling her
fast-failing strength and courage.
" Yes, you ! Tell me how you mean to act. I have a
curiosity to see how a Frenchwoman demonstrates that
passion."
"Nay," said Madame de Sauve, " why should your maj-
esty suppose I am wounded in any other feeling than my
vanity, since all the interest I feel in the King of Navarre
arises from my wish to be of service to your majesty."
Catherine looked at her with a penetrating glance.
" You may be speaking the truth," said she. " Am I,
then, to consider you as wholly devoted to my service ? "
" Command me, madame, and judge."
" Well, then, Carlotta, if you are really sincere in your
professions and protestations, you must (to serve me, un-
derstand) affect the utmost affection for the King of
Navarre, and, above all, a violent jealousy. Pretend to
be jealous as an Italian."
" And in what manner, madame, do the Italian females
evince their jealousy ?"
" I will instruct you," replied Catherine ; who, after
remaining some moments as though striving to keep down
some powerful emotion, quitted the apartment slowly and
noiselessly as she had entered it.
Thankful to be freed from the oppressive gaze of eyes
that seemed to expand and dilate like those of the cat or
panther, Charlotte permitted her to depart without at-
tempting to utter a word ; nor did she breathe freely till
Dariole came to tell her that the terrible visitant had en-
tirely disappeared. She then bade the waiting-maid to
bring an armchair beside her bed and pass the night, fear-
ing, as she said, to be left alone. Dariole obeyed ; but,
despite the company of her faithful attendant, despite the
bright light from a lamp illumined by her orders, Madame
de Sauve remained in trembling expectation of Catherine's
return, nor closed her eyes till the dawn of day.
Notwithstanding the late hour at which Marguerite's
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 153
slumbers had commenced, she awoke at the first sonnd of
the hunting-horns and dogs, and instantly rising, dressed
herself in a neglige too d cided to escape observation.
She then summoned her maids, and caused the ordinary
attendants of the King of Navarre to be shown into an
antechamber adjoining that in which he had passed the
night. Then, opening the door of the chamber which
contained both Henry and De la Mole, she cast an affec-
tionate glance on the latter, and said to her husband :
" It is not sufficient, sir, to have persuaded my royal
mother that matters are different from what they seem ;
you must also impress upon your whole court the most
perfect belief in the good understanding existing between
us. But make yourself quite easy/' added she, laugMrig,
"an" remember my words, rendered the more impressive
by the circumstances under which I utter them, to-day is
the very last time your majesty will be subjected to so
severe a trial."
Henry smiled, and desired that the officers of his suite
should be admitted ; but at the very moment of returning
their salutation, he feigned suddenly to recollect having
left his mantle on the queen's bed, begged their excuse
for receiving them ere fully dressed ; then, taking his
mantle from the hands of Marguerite, who stood blushing
by his side, he clasped it on his shoulder. Next, turning
to his gentlemen, he carelessly inquired what was stirring
abroad.
Marguerite's quick eye readily caught the expression of
utter astonishment impressed on every countenance at the
sight of the excellent terms on which herself and the King
of Navarre were ; and, ere they had recovered from it, an
attendant entering, announced the arrival of the Duke
d'Aleii9on, with three or four officers of his suite.
Gillonne had required no other means to draw him
thither, than the information of the king having passed
the night in the queen's apartments ; and so hurried was
the manner of Franqois in entering, that he narrowly es-
caped knocking against every person he met in his way.
His first glance was directed to Henry ; his next, to Mar-
154 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
guerite. The former replied to him by a courteous salu-
tation, while the calm, composed features of Marguerite
exhibited the utmost serenity and happiness.
Again the sharp scrutiny of the duke traveled round
the chamber, and he quickly observed the two pillows
placed at the head of the bed, the derangement of its
tapestried coverings, and the king's plumed hat carelessly
thrown on a chair beside it.
At this sight his color forsook his cheeks, but quickly
recovering himself, he said :
" Does my royal brother Henry join this morning with
the king in his game of tennis ? "
"Does his majesty do me the honor to select me as
his partner ?" inquired Henry, " or is it only a little atten-
tion on your own part, my kind brother-in-law ? "
" His majesty has not so said, certainly," replied the
duke, somewhat embarrassed ; "but as you play with him
so habitually, I considered "
Henry smiled, for so many and such serious events had
occurred since he last played with the king, that he would
not have been astonished to learn that the king had
changed his habitual companions at the game.
"I shall certainly join the king in his sport," said
Henry, with a smile.
"Then come," cried the duke.
" Are you going away ? " inquired Margaret.
" Yes, my sweet sister ! "
" Are you in great haste to be gone ? "
" In very great ! "
" Might I venture to ask you to grant me a few minutes
ere you depart ? "
So strange and wholly unaccustomed a demand from
Marguerite filled D'Alen9on with a vague and uneasy
feeling of something to be apprehended, and his color
changed rapidly from a deep flush to the palest hue.
"What can she be going to say to him ?" thought
Henry, taken as much by surprise as the duke himself.
Marguerite quietly proceeded to the door of the cabinet,
and beckoned forth the wounded man, saying to Henry :
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 155
"It is for your majesty to explain to my brother the
reason for our taking an interest in M. de la Mole."
And Henry, caught in the snare so cleverly laid by Mar-
guerite, briefly related to M. d'Alen9on half a Protestant
for the sake of opposition, as he himself was partly a
Catholic from prudence, the arrival of M. de la Mole at
Paris, and how the young man had been severely wounded,
while bringing to him a letter from M. d'Auriac.
As the duke turned round after listening to this recital,
he perceived the hero of the tale standing before him.
At the sight of his pale handsome countenance, rendered
still more captivating by the marks of recent weakness and
suffering, a fresh feeling of anger and distrust shot through
his heart.
" Brother/ 5 said Marguerite, after she had well observed
the various changes of D'Alencon's countenance, " I will
engage for this young gentleman, that he will render
himself serviceable to whomsoever may employ him.
Should you accept his services, he will obtain a powerful
protector, and you a faithful, zealous servitor. In such
times as the present, brother," continued she, " we cannot
be too well surrounded by devoted friends: more especially,"
added she, lowering her voice so as to be heard only by
the duke, " when one is ambitious, and has the misfortune
to be only third in the succession to the throne."
Then, placing her finger significantly on her lip, she
intimated to D'Alenqon that she had not revealed the
whole of her views and ideas on the subject, but had the
most important part still buried within her own breast.
"Perhaps," added she, "you may differ from Henry,
in considering it not decorous or befitting that this young
gentleman should remain so immediately in the vicinity of
my apartments."
" Sister," replied Fra^ois, " if it meet your wishes, M.
de la Mole shall, in half an hour, be installed in my apart-
ments, where, I think, he can have no cause to fear any
danger. Let him try to win my affection, and I promise
him he shall obtain it."
" Excellent," murmured Marguerite to herself, as she
156 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
saw the frown that hung over the brow of the King of
Navarre. "Ah, I see plainly enough, that to lead you
both as I would have you go, it is necessary to make one
lead the other."
And in half an hour after this, La Mole, having been
gravely lectured by Marguerite, kissed the hem of her
robe, and descended to the apartments of D'Alengon with
a step wondrously light and agile for one who had been
so recently wounded.
Several days passed away, and appeared still further
to consolidate the harmony apparently existing between
Henry and his wife.
Henry had obtained permission not to make a public
renunciation of his religion ; but he had formally recanted
in the presence of the king's confessor, and every day
went openly to mass.
At midnight he took ostensibly the road to his wife's
apartments, entered by the principal door, and after
remaining some time in conversation with her, quitted by
the secret door, and ascended to the chamber of Madame
de Sauve, who had duly informed him of the visit of the
queen-mother, as well as the imminent danger which so
seriously threatened him. Thus warned and protected on
both sides, Henry redoubled his mistrust and his caution
against Catherine, and this with a deeper impression of
such a line of proceeding being necessary, as the queen-
mother had lately bestowed smiles instead of frowns on
him, and addressed him wi'h words of studied cordiality.
Though the massacres still continued, their extent and
violence were naturally lessened, anc bade fair soon to end ;
for so great had been the butchery of the Huguenots, that
the supply began to fail, and fresh victims were not
easily found. The greater part of those unfortunate
people were already sacrificed. Many had found safety in
flight, and others were in concealment. Occasionally a
great outcry would arise in some neighborhood in which
a fresh object of popular fury was discovered ; and the
execution was either public or private, according as the
spot was either a confined one or admitted of escape.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 157
Charles the Ninth had taken great pleasure in hunting
down the Huguenots, and when he could no longer continue
the chase himself, he took delight in the noise of others
hunting.
One day, returning from playing at mall, which with
tennis and hunting were his favorite amusements, he went
to his mother's apartments in high spirits, followed by his
usual train of courtiers.
" Mother," he said, embracing the Florentine, who, ob-
serving his joy, endeavored to detect its cause, " mother,
good news ! Mort de tous les diables ! Do you know
that the illustrious carcass of the admiral, which it was
said was lost, has been found ? "
" Ah, ah I" said Catherine.
"Oh, mon Dieu ! yes. You thought as I did, mother,
the dogs had eaten a wedding dinner off him ; but it was
not so. My people, my dear people, my good people, had
a clever idea, and have hung the admiral up at the gibbet
of Montfaucon."
" Well ! " said Catherine.
"Well, good mother," replied Charles IX., "I have a
strong desire to see him again, dear old man, now I
know he is really dead ! It is very fine, and the flowers
seem to smell very sweet to-day. The air is full of
life and perfume, and I feel better than I ever did.
If you like, mother, we will get on horseback, and go to
Montfaucon."
" Willingly, my son," said Catherine, "if I had not an
appointment that I cannot defer ; and beside, to pay a
visit to a man of such importance as the admiral, we
should assemble the whole court. It will be an occasion
for observers to make very curious observations. We shall
eee who comes and who stays away."
" Ma foil you are right, mother, and it will be better
to-morrow ; so send out your invitations, and I will send
mine ; or, rather, do not let us invite any one. We will
only say we are going, and then every one will be free to
do as they please. Adieu, mother ! I am going to play
on the horn."
158 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
" You will exhaust yourself, Charles, as Ambroise Par6
is always telling you ; and he is right. It is too trying an
exercise for you."
" Bah ! bah ! bah ! " said Charles ; " I wish I was
sure nothing else would kill me ; I would then bnry every-
body here, including Harry, who will one day succeed us
all as Nostradamus prophesies."
Catherine frowned.
" My son," she said, " mistrust more especially all things
that appear impossible, and in the meanwhile take care of
yourself."
" Only two or three blasts to rejoice my dogs, who are
wearied to death with doing nothing, poor things ! I
ought to have let them loose on the Huguenots ; that
would have done them good ! " And Charles IX. left his
mother's apartment, went into his armory, took down a
horn, and sounded it with a vigor that would have done
honor to Roland himself. It was difficult to understand
how so weak a frame and such pale lips could blow a
blast so powerful.
Catherine, in truth was awaiting some one, as she had
told her son. A minute after he had left her, one of her
women came and spake to her in a low voice. The queen
smiled, rose, and saluting the persons who formed her
court, followed the messenger.
Ren6 the Florentine, he to whom, on the eve of St.
Bartholomew, the King of Navarre had given so diplo-
matic a reception, entered the oratory.
" Ah ! is it you Rene ? " said Catherine. " Have you
renewed, as I desired, the trial of the horoscope d: .^,wn by
Ruggieri, and which agrees so well with the prophecy of
Nostradamus, which says that all my three sons shall
reign ?"
" Yes, madame," replied Rene ; " for it is my duty to
obey you in all things."
Well and the result ? "
" Still the same, madame."
" What, the black lamb has uttered three cries ? *
" Precisely, madame."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 159
. " The sign of three cruel deaths in my family," mur-
mured Catherine.
"Alas I" said Rene.
" What then ? "
" Then, madame, there was in its entrails that strange
displacing of the liver, which we had already observed in
the two first."
" A change of dynasty still still still ! " muttered
Catherine ; " yet this must be changed, ReneV'she added.
Rene shook his head.
" I have told your majesty," he said, " that destiny
rules all."
" Is that your opinion ? " asked Catherine.
" Yes, madame."
" Do you remember D'Albret's horoscope ? "
"Yes, madame."
" Let us repeat it, and once more consider it. I have
quite forgotten it. Repeat it to me, good Rene\"
" Vives honorata," said Rene, " tnorieris reformidata,
regina amplijicabere."
"Which means, I believe," said Catherine, "Thou
shalt live honored and she lacked common necessaries ;
Thou shalt die feared and we laughed at her ; Thou shalt
be greater than thou hast been as a queen and she is dead,
and sleeps in a tomb, on which we have not-even engraved
her name."
" Madame, your majesty does not translate the vives
honorata rightly. The Queen of Navarre lived honored ;
for all her life she enjoyed the love of her children, the
respect of her partisans ; respect and love all the more
sincere in that she was poor."
" Yes," said Catherine, " I pass over the vives honorata ;
but morieris reformidata : how will you explain that ? "
" Nothing more easy : Thou shalt die feared."
Well did she die 'feared ? "
" So much so, that she would not have died had not
your majesty feared her. Then As a queen thou shalt be
greater ; or, Thou shalt be greater than thou hast been as a
queen. This is equally true, madame ; for in exchange
160 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
for a terrestrial crown, she has doubtless, as a queen and
martyr, a celestial crown ; and, besides, who knows what
the future may reserve for her posterity ? "
Catherine was superstitious to an excess ; she was more
alarmed at Renews cool pertinacity than at the pertinacity
of the augtiries ; and she said suddenly to him, with-
out any other transition than the working of her own
thoughts :
" Are any Italian perfumes arrived ? "
"Yes, madame."
" Send me a box full."
" Of which?"
" Of the last, of those "
Catherine stopped.
"Of those the Queen of Navarre was so fond of ?"
asked Ren6.
"Exactly."
" I need not prepare them, for your majesty is now as
skilful at them as myself."
" You think so ? " said Catherine. " They certainly
do succeed."
' ' Your majesty has nothing more to say to me ? " asked
the perfumer.
" Nothing," replied Catherine, thoughtfully ; " only if
there is any change in the sacrifices, let me know it in
time. Let us leave the lambs, and try the hens."
" Alas ! madame, I fear that in changing the victim we
shall not change the presages."
"Do as I tell you."
The perfumer bowed and left the apartment.
Catherine mused for a short time, then rose, and re-
turning to her bedchamber, where her women awaited her,
announced the pilgrimage to Montfaucon for the morrow.
The news of this party of pleasure threw the palace and
city into no small bustle : the ladies prepared their most
elegant toilettes ; the gentlemen their finest arms and
steeds ; the tradesmen closed their shops, and the popu-
lace killed a few straggling Huguenots, in order to furnish
company to the dead admiral
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 161
La Mole had passed a miserable day, and this miserable
day had followed three or four others equally miserable.
M. d'Alen9on, to please his sister, had installed him in
his apartments, but had not since seen him ; he felt him-
self like a poor deserted child, deprived of the tender
cares, the soothing attentions of two women, the recollec-
tions of one of whom occupied him perpetually. He had
heard of her through Ambroise Pare, whom she had sent
to him, but Ambroise was an old fellow to whom he could
not talk of his passion. Gilloune, indeed, had come once,
as if of her own accord, to ask after him, and the visit was
to him like a sunbeam darting into a dungeon, but Gil-
lonne had not repeated it.
As soon, then, as he heard of this splendid assemblage
of the court on the morrow, La Mole requested of M.
d'AlenQon the favor of being allowed to accompany it.
The duke did not even trouble himself to inquire whether
La Mole was sufficiently recovered to bear the fatigue, but
merely answered .
" Humph ! well, let him have one of my horses."
This was all La Mole wanted ; Maitre Ambroise Pare
came to dress his wounds, and La Mole explained to him
the necessity he was under of mounting on horseback,
and prayed him to dress his wounds with more than usual
care.
The two wounds were closed, both that on the breast
and that on the shoulder, and the latter alone pained him.
They were both in a fair way of healing ; Maitre Ambroise
Par6 covered them with gummed taffetas, a remedy greatly
in vogue then, and promised La Mole that if he did not
exert himself too much, everything would go well ; La
Mole next employed a part of the money he had received
when he left his family in purchasing a very handsome
white satin doublet, and one of the richest embroidered
cloaks he could procure. He also bought a pair of boots
of perfumed leather, worn at that period. He dressed
himself quickly, looked in his glass, and found that he
was suitably attired, arranged, and perfumed.
Whilst he was thus engaged in the Louvre, another
ii
162 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
scene, of a similar kind, was going on at the Hdtel de Guise.
A tall gentleman, with red hair, was examining, before a
glass, a red mark, which went across his face very disagree-
ably ; he colored and perfumed his moustache, and as he
did so, in vain tried to conceal this wheal ; in spite of all
the cosmetics applied, it would still appear. The gentle-
man then put on a magnificent dress which a tailor had
brought to his apartment without any commands from
him. Thus attired, scented, and armed from head to foot,
he descended the staircase, and began to pat a large black
horse, whose beauty would have been matchless, but for a
small scar in the flank, caused by a sword wound.
Yet, enchanted with the good steed as he found him,
the gentleman, whom, no doubt, our readers have recog-
nised, was soon on his back, and for a quarter of an hour
showed off in the court of the H6tel de Guise his skill as
a horseman, amidst the neighings of his courser, and Mor-
dis out of all number. Then the good steed, completely
subdued, recognized by his obedience and subjection the
control of the cavalier, but the victory had not been ob-
tained without noise, and this noise had drawn to the
windows a lady, whom the cavalier saluted respectfully,
and who smiled at him in the most agreeable manner.
Turning then towards her first gentleman :
"M. d'Arguzon," she said, "let us set out for the
Louvre, and keep an eye, I beg, on the Comte Anuibal de
Coconnas, for he is wounded, and consequently still weak ;
and I would not for all the world any accident should hap-
pen to him. That would make the Huguenots laugh, for
they owe him a spite since the blessed night of Saint
Bartholomew."
And Madame de Nevere, mounting her horse, went joy-
fully towards the Louvre, which was tne general
vous.
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. 163
CHAPTEE XVI.
THE BODY OF A DEAD EKElfY ALWAYS SMELLS SWEET.
IT was two o'clock in the afternoon, when a file of cava-
liers, glittering with gold, jewels, and splendid garments,
appeared in the Kue Saint-Denis.
Nothing can be imagined more splendid than this spec-
tacle. The rich and elegant silk dresses, bequeathed as a
splendid fashion by Franois I. to his successors, had not
yet been changed into those formal and sombre vestments
which came into fashion under Henry III. ; so that the
costume of Charles IX., less rich, but perhaps more ele-
gant than those of preceding reigns, displayed its perfect
harmony. Pages, esquires, gentlemen of low degree, dogs,
and horses all were there, and formed of the royal cor-
t6ge an absolute army. Behind this army came the people,
or rather the people were everywhere.
That morning, in presence of Catherine, and the Dnke
de Guise, Charles had, as a perfectly natural thing, spoken
before Henry of Navarre of going to visit the gibbet of
Montfaucon, or rather, the mutilated corpse of the admiral,
which had been suspended to it. Henry's first movement
had been to dispense with accompanying them ; this Cath-
erine had expected at the first words he said, expressing
his repugnance, and she exchanged a glance and a smile
with the Duke de Guise ; Henry surprised both and un-
derstood them, then suddenly turning round, he said :
" But why should I not go ? I am a Catholic, and am
bound to my new religion."
Then, addressing the king :
" Your majesty may reckon on my company/' he said ;
" and I shall be always happy to accompany you where-
soever you may go ; " and he threw a sweeping glance
around, to see whose brows might be frowning.
DUMAS VOL. HI. 8
164: MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
And, perhaps of all this cortege, the person who was
looked at with the greatest curiosity was this son without
a "mother this king without a kingdom this Huguenot
turned Catholic. His long and marked countenance, his
somewhat vulgar figure, his familiarity with his inferiors,
which he carried to a degree almost derogatory to a king
a familiarity acquired by the mountaineer habits of his
youth, and which he preserved till his death marked him
out to the spectators, some of whom cried :
" To mass, Harry ! to mass I"
To which Henry replied :
" I attended it yesterday, to-day, and I shall attend it
again to-morrow. Venire saint-gris ! surely that is
sufficient."
Marguerite was on horseback so lovely, so fresh, so
elegant, that she was the admired of all admirers, al-
though the Duchess de Nevers shared some portion of the
general approval.
" "Well, duchess I" said the Queen of Navarre, " what
news ? "
" Why, Madame/' replied the duchess, aloud, " I know
of none." Then in a lower tone : " And what has become
of the Huguenot?"
" I have found him a retreat almost safe/' replied Mar-
guerite ; " and the wholesale murderer, what have you
done with him ? "
" He wished to be present, and so we mounted him on
M. de Nevers's war-horse, a creature as big as an elephant.
He is a fearful cavalier. I allowed him to be present to-
day, as I felt that your Huguenot would be prudent
enough to keep his chamber, and that there was no fear
of their meeting."
"Oh, mafoi!" replied Marguerite, smiling, " if he
were here, and he is not, I do not think a rencontre would en-
sue. My Huguenot is remarkably handsome, but nothing
more a dove, and not a hawk ; he coos, but does not
rend in pieces. After all," she added, with a gesture im-
possible to describe, and shrugging her shoulders slightly ;
" after all, perhaps, our king thought him a Huguenot,
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. 165
whilst he is only a Brahmin, and his religion forbids him
to shed blood."
" But where, then, is the Duke d'Alenqon ? " inquired
Henriette ; " I do not see him."
"Why, at this moment there are shouts down there.
It is he, doubtless, who is passing the Porte-Mont-
martre,"
" Yes ; it is he, and he seems in good spirits to-day,"
said Henriette ; " he is in love, perchance ; and see how
nice it is to be a prince of the blood : he gallops over every-
body, and everybody draws on one side."
" Yes," said Marguerite, laughing, "he will ride over
TIS. But draw your attendants on one side, duchess, for
one of them will be killed : he does not give way."
" It is my hero! " cried the duchess; " look, only look ! "
Coconnas had quitted his rank to approach the Duchess
de Nevers, but at the moment when his horse was cross-
ing the kind of exterior boulevard which separates the
street from the Faubourg Saint-Denis, a cavalier of the
suite of the Duke d'Alenqon, trying in vain to rein in his
excited horse, dashed full against Coconnas, who, shaken
by the collision, well-nigh lost his seat; his hat nearly fell
off, and as he put it on firmer, he turned round furiously.
" Dieu! " said Marguerite, in a low tone, to her friend,
" M. de la Mole ! "
" That handsome pale young man ? " exclaimed the
duchess, unable to repress her first impression.
"Yes, yes ; he who nearly upset your Piedmontese."
"Oh," said the duchess, "something terrible will hap-
pen ! they look at each other recollect each other ! "
Coconnas had indeed recognized La Mole, and in his
surprise dropped his bridle, for he believed he had killed
his old companion, or at least put him hors de combat for
some time. La Mole had also recognized Coconnas, and
all his blood rushed up into his face. For some seconds,
which sufficed for the expression of all the sentiments
which these two men felt towards each other, they gazed
on one another in a way that frightened the two women.
After which, La Mole having looked about him, and
166 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
seeing that the place was ill chosen for any explanation,
spurred his horse and rejoined the Duke d'Alen9on. Co-
connas remained stationary for a moment, twisting his
mustache until the point almost entered his eye ; then,
seeing La Mole dash off without a word, he did the same.
" Ah ! ah ! " said Marguerite, with painful contempt,
" I was not deceived, then ! it is really too much ; " and
she bit her lips till the blood came.
" He is very handsome," added the Duchess de Nevers,
with commiseration.
Just at this moment the Duke d'Alen9on reached his
place behind the king and the queen-mother, so that
his suite, in following him, were obliged to pass before
Marguerite and the Duchess de Nevers. La Mole, as he
passed, raised his hat, saluted the queen, and, bowing to
his horse's neck, remained uncovered until her majesty
should honor him with a look.
But Marguerhe turned her head aside disdainfully.
La Mole, no doubt, comprehended the contemptuous
expression of the queen's features, and from pale he be-
came livid, and that he might not fall from his horse, was
compelled to hold on by the mane.
"Ah, ah !" said Henriette to the queen ; "look, cruel
that you are ! he is going to faint."
" Good," said the queen, with a smile of disdain ; " it
only needs that. Where are your salts ?"
Madame de Nevers was mistaken. La Mole, with an
effort, recovered himself, and, sitting erect on his horse,
took his place in the Duke d'Alen9on's suite.
As they went forward, they at length saw the fearful
outline of the gibbet, erected and first used by Enguer-
rand de Marigny.
The guards advanced and formed a large ring round
the spot ; at their approach, the crows perched on the
gibbet flew away, croaking and angry.
The crowd advanced ; the king and Catherine arrived
first, then the Duke d'Anjou, the Duke d'Alengon, the
King of Navarre, M. de Guise, and their followers ; then
Mndame Marguerite, the Duchess de Nevers, and all the
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 167
women who composed what was called Vescadron volant de
la leine (the queen's flying squadron) ; then the pages,
squires, attendants, and people in all ten thousand per-
sons.
To the principal gibbet was suspended a misshapen
mass, stained with coagulated blood and mud, whitened
by layers of dust. The carcass was headless, and they had
hung it up by the legs, and the people, ingenious as they
always are, had replaced the head with a bunch of straw,
on which they had put a mask ; and in the mouth of this
mask some wag, knowing the admiral's habit, had intro-
duced a toothpick.
It was a sight at once appalling and singular as all these
elegant lords and handsome ladies denied in the midst of
blackened carcasses and gibbets, and their long and sinister
arms.
Many could scarcely support this horrible spectacle, and
by his paleness might be distinguished, in the center of
rallied Huguenots, Henry, who however great his power
over himself and his amount of dissimulation, could not
bear it any longer.
He made as his excuse the strong smell which emanated
from those human remains, and going towards Charles,
who, with Catherine, had stopped in front of the admiral's
dead body, he said :
" Sire, does not your majesty find that this poor carcass
smells so strongly that it is impossible to remain near it
any longer ?"
" Do you find it so, Harry ? " inquired the king, his
eyes sparkling with ferocious joy.
" Yes, sire."
" Well, then, I am not of your opinion ; the corpse of
a dead enemy always smells sweet."
" Come, come, sire \" said Catherine, who, in spite of
the perfume with which she was covered, began to be
incommoded with the putrid odor. " Come, however
agreeable company may be, it must be left at last ; let us
therefore bid adien to the admiral, and return to Paris."
She made with her head an ironical gesture, in imita-
168 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
tion of a leave-taking from a friend, and, going to the
front of the columns, regained the road, whilst the cortege
defiled before the corpse of Coligny.
The sun was fast sinking in the horizon.
The crowd followed so rapidly, that in ten minutes after
the departure of the king, there was no person about the
mutilated carcass of the admiral, which was now blown
upon by the first breezes of the evening.
When we say no person, we mistake. A gentleman,
mounted on a black horse, and who, doubtless, could not
contemplate at his ease the misshapen and mutilated
trunk when it was honored by the presence of princes,
had remained behind, and was examining, in all their de-
tails, the bolts, stone pillars, chains, and so on, of the
gibbet, which no doubt appeared to him (but lately ar-
rived in Paris, and ignorant of the perfection to which
things could be brought in the capital) the paragon of all
that man could invent of the outrageously disgusting.
We need hardly inform our friends that this individ-
ual, in ecstasy before the handiwork of Enguerrand de
Marigny, was M. Annibal de Coconnas.
The eye of a female had in vain sought him in the
ranks ; but this eye was not the only one that sought M. de
Coconnas ; another gentleman, remarkable from his white
satin doublet and flowing plume, after having gazed
around him on all sides, at length caught sight of the tall
figure of Coconnas and the vast outline of his horse, and
then the gentleman in the white satin doublet left the
line which the main body was taking, and turning to the
right, and describing a semicircle, returned towards the
gibbet. Almost at the same moment, the lady, whom we
have recognized for the Duchess de Nevers, approached
Marguerite, and said to her :
" We were both deceived, Marguerite ; for the Pied-
montese has remained behind, and M. de la Mole has
followed him."
"Mordi!" replied Marguerite, laughing, "then some-
thing is going to happen. Ma foil I confess I shall not
be sorry to have occasion to change my opinion."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 169
Marguerite then turned round, and saw La Mole execute
the maneuver we have described.
Then the two princesses quitted the main body, at the
first favorable occasion, and turned down a path, bordered
on both sides by hedges, which led back to within thirty
paces of the gibbet. Madame de Nevers said a word in
her captain's ear, Marguerite made a sign to Gillonne, and
the four persons went by the cross road to ensconce them-
selves behind the bushes nearest to the spot in which was
to pass the scene they desired to witness.
Marguerite alighted, as did Madame de Nevers and
Gillonne, and the Captain, in his turn, who took charge
of the four horses. A space in the hedge allowed the
three women to see all that passed.
La Mole had reached Coconnas, and, stretching out his
hand, tapped him on the shoulder.
The Piedmontese turned round.
" Oh ! " said he, " then it was not a dream ! You are
still alive ! "
'Yes, sir," replied La Mole; " yes, I am still alive.
It is no fault of yours, but I am still alive."
" Mordi! I know you again well enough," replied Co-
connas, " in spite of your pale face. You were redder
than that the last time we met ! "
" And I," said La Mole ; "I also recognize you, in
spite of that yellow line across your face. You were paler
than that when I made that mark for you ! "
Coconnas bit his lips, but, resolved on continuing the
conversation in a tone of irony, he said :
" It is curious, is it not, Monsieur de la Mole, particu-
larly for a Huguenot, to be able to look at the admiral sus-
pended from an iron hook ? And yet they say that we
are guilty of killing even the small Huguenots, who were
Bucking at the breast."
" Comte," said La Mole, bowing, " I am no longer a
Huguenot ; I have the happiness to be a Catholic i "
" Bah ! " exclaimed Coconnas, bursting into loud
laughter ; " you are a convert eh, sir ? Well, that's
well managed ! "
170 MARGUEEITE DE VALOIS.
"Sir," replied La Mole, with the same seriousness and
the same politeness, " I made a vow to become a convert
if I escaped the massacre."
" Comte," said the Piedmontese, " that was a very pru-
dent vow, and I beg to congratulate you. Made you no
others ? "
" Yes," answered La Mole, ' ' I made a second. " And
as he said so, he patted his horse with entire coolness.
"And what might that be ?" inquired Coconnas.
" To hang you up there, by that small nail which seems
to await you beneath M. de Coligny."
" What, as I am now ? " asked Coconnas, " alive and
merry ? "
" No, sir ; but after having passed my sword through
your body ! "
Coconnas became purple, and his eyes darted flames.
" You are not tall enough to do it, my little sir ! "
" Then Fll get on your horse, my great manslayer,"
replied La Mole. " Ah, you believe, my dear M. Annibal
de Coconnas, that one may with impunity assassinate
people under the loyal and honorable cover of a hundred
to one, forsooth ! But the day comes when a man finds
his man ; and I believe that day has come now. I should
very well like to send a bullet through your ugly head ;
but, bah ! I might miss you, for my hand is still trem-
bling from the traitorous wounds you inflicted upon me."
" My ugly head ! " shouted Coconnas, dismounting
hastily. " Down down from your horse, M. le Comte,
and draw ! "
And he drew his sword.
La Mole alighted as calmly as Cocannas had done so
precipitately ; he took off his cherry-colored cloak, laid it
leisurely on the ground, drew his sword, and put himself
on guard.
" Ah ! " he said, as he stretched out his arm.
" Oh ! " muttered Coconnas, as he did the same for
both, as it will be remembered, had been wounded in the
shoulder.
A burst of laughter, ill repressed, came from the clump
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 171
of bushes, and reached the ears of the two gentlemen,
who were ignorant that they had witnesses, and, turning
round, beheld their ladies.
La Mole resumed his guard as firm as an automaton,
and Coconnas crossed his blade with an emphatic Mordi !
" Ah ! then now they will murder each other in real
earnest, if we do not interfere. There has been enough of
this. Hola, gentlemen ! hola ! " cried Marguerite.
" Let them be let them be ! " said Henriette, who,
having seen Coconnas fight, hoped in her heart that
Coconnas would make as short work with La Mole as he
had done with the two nephews and the son of Mercandon.
" Oh, they are really beautiful so ! " exclaimed Mar-
guerite. " Look they seem to breathe fire ! "
And the combat,begun with railleries and mutual pro-
vocation, became silent as soon as the champions had
crossed their swords. Both distrusted their strength, and
each, at every quick pass, was compelled to restrain
an expression of pain occasioned by his old wounds.
With his eyes fixed and burning, his mouth half open,
and his teeth clenched, La Mole advanced with short and
firm steps towards his adversary, who, seeing in him a
most skilful swordsman, retreated step by step. They
both thus reached the edge of the fosse, on the other side
of which were the spectators ; then, as if his retreat had
been only a simple stratagem to draw nearer to his lady,
Coconnas took his stand, and on a motion of his blade, a
little too wide, by his adversary, with the quickness of light-
ning, thrust in quart, and in a moment the white satin
doublet of La Mole was stained with a spot of blood which
kept growing larger.
" Courage !" cried the duchess.
"Ah, poor La Mole \" exclaimed Marguerite, with a cry
of distress.
La Mole heard this cry, darted at the queen one of
those looks which penetrate the heart even deeper than
the sword's point, and taking advantage of a false parade
thrust vigorously at his adversary.
This time the two women uttered two cries which seemed
172 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
like one. The point of La Mole's rapier had appeared, all
covered with blood, behind Coconnas' back.
Yet neither fell. Both remained erect, looking at each
other with open month, and feeling that on the slightest
movement they must lose their balance. At last the Pied-
montese, more dangerously wounded than his adversary,
and feeling his senses forsaking him with his blood, fell on
La Mole, grasping him with one hand, whilst with the
other he endeavored to unsheath his poniard. La Mole,
on his part, roused all his strength, raised his hand and
let fall the pommel of his sword on Coconnas' forehead,
who, stupefied by the blow, fell, but in his fall drew down
his adversary with him, and both rolled into the fosse.
Then Marguerite and the Duchess de Nevers, seeing
that, dying as they were, they were still struggling to destroy
each other, hastened towards them, followed by the cap-
tain of the guards; but before they could reach them,
their hands unloosened their mutual clutch, their eyes
closed, and the combatants, letting go their grasp of their
weapons, stiffened as in their final agony. A large stream
of blood flowed from each.
" Oh, brave, brave La Mole ! " cried Marguerite, un-
able any longer to repress her admiration. " Ah ! pardon
me a thousand times for having a moment doubted your
courage."
And her eyes filled with tears.
" Alas ! alas ! " murmured the duchess, " gallant An-
ibal. Did you ever see two more intrepid heroes, ma-
dame? "
And she sobbed aloud.
" Indeed, they were ugly thrusts," said the captain, en-
deavoring to stanch the streams of blood. " Hola ! you,
there, couie here as quickly as you can here, I say "
He addressed a man who, seated on a kind of tumbril, or
cart, painted red, was singing a snatch of an old song.
The carter, whose repulsive exterior formed a singular
contrast with the sweet and sylvan song he was singing,
stopped his horse, came towards the two bodies, and look-
ing at them, said :
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 173
"These be terrible wounds, sure enough, but I have
made worse in ray time."
" Who, then, are you ? " inquired Marguerite, experienc-
ing, in spite of herself, a certain vague terror which she
could not overcome.
" Madame/' replied the man, bowing down to the
ground, " I am Maitre Caboche, headsman to the pro-
vostry of Paris, and I have come to hang up at the gibbet
some companions for monsieur the admiral."
' ' Well ! and I am the Queen of Navarre, " replied Mar-
guerite/' and I bid you cast your corpses down there, spread
in your cart the housings of our horses, and bring these two
gentlemen softly behind us to the Louvre."
CHAPTER XVII.
THE RIVAL OF MArTRE AMBROISE PARE.
THE tumbril, in which were La Mole and Coconnas,
took the road to the Louvre, following at a distance the
group that served as a guide. It stopped at the Louvre,
and the driver was amply rewarded. The wounded men
were carried to the Duke d'Alenqon's lodgings, and Maitre
Ambroise Pare sent for.
When he arrived, they were both insensible.
La Mole was the least hurt of the two. The sword had
pierced him below the right armpit, but without touching
any vital part. As for Coconnas, he was run through the
lungs, and the air that escaped from his wound made the
flame of a candle waver.
Ambroise Pare would not answer for Coconnas.
Madame de Nevers was in despair. She it was who,
relying on Coconnas' courage and skill, had prevented
Marguerite from interposing.
In order to conceal the cause of their wounds Marguerite,
in having them transported to her brother's apartments,
where one of them was already installed, said they were
174 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
two gentlemen who had been thrown from their horses ;
but the real story became known, in consequence of the
intense admiration of the captain who had witnessed the
duel and who related all the particulars, and our two
heroes had soon a brilliant reputation at court.
Attended by the same surgeon, they both passed through
the different stages of convalescence, arising from the
different degrees of severity of their wounds. La Mole was
the first who came to himself. As for Coconnas, he was in
a high fever, and his return to life was marked by all the
signs of delirium.
Although in the same room as Coconnas, La Mole had
not perceived his companion, or, least, had given no in-
dication of it. Coconnas, on the contrary, when he opened
his, eyes, fixed them on La Mole with an expression that
proved that the blood he had lost had not modified the
passions of his fiery temperament.
Coconnas thought he was dreaming, and that in this
dream he saw the enemy he imagined he had twice slain.
Then, that after having observed La Mole laid, like him-
self, on a couch, and his wounds dressed by the surgeon,
he saw him rise up in bed, while he himself was 'still
too weak to move, then get out of bed, then walk, first
leaning on the surgeon's arm, and then on a cane and in
the end, without assistance.
Coconnas, still delirious, viewed these different stages of
his companion's recovery with eyes sometimes fixed, at
others wandering, but always threatening.
Then arose in his mind, more wounded than his body,
an insatiable thirst of vengeance. He was wholly occupied
with one idea, that of procuring some weapon, and piercing
this vision that so cruelly persecuted him. His clothes,
stained with blood, had been placed on a chair by his bed,
but were afterwards removed, it being thought imprudent
to leave them in his sight ; but his poniard still remained
on the chair, for it was imagined it would be some time
before he would want to employ it.
Coconnas saw the poniard ; three nights, profiting by La
Mole's slumbers, he strove to reach it ; three nights his
MAEGUERITE DE VALOIS. 175
strength failed him, and he fainted. At length, on the
fourth night, he clutched it convulsively, and groaning
with the pain of the effort, concealed the weapon beneath
his pillow.
The next day he saw a new spectacle. The shade of La
Mole, that every day seemed to gain strength, whilst he,
occupied with his design, seemed to lose his the shade
of La Mole walked thoughtfully up and down the room,
three or four times, then, after having ad justed his mantle,
buckled on his rapier, and put on a large hat, opened the
door and went out.
Coconnas breathed again. For two hours his blood cir-
culated more freely in his veins than it had done since the
duel. One day's absence of La Mole would have recalled
Coconnas' senses : a week's absence would have cured
him : unfortunately, La Mole returned at the end of two
hours.
This re-appearance of La Mole was a poniard stab for
Coconnas ; and although La Mole did not return alone,
Coconnas did not give a single look at his companion.
That companion was nevertheless worth being looked
at.
He was a man of forty, short, thick-set, and vigorous,
with black hair, cut short, and a black beard, which, con-
trary to the fashion of the period, thickly covered the
chin ; but he seemed one who cared little for the fashion.
He wore a leather jerkin, stained and spotted with
blood ; red hose and leggings, thick shoes coming above
the ankle ; a cap the same color as his stockings, and a
girdle, from which hung a large knife in a leather sheath,
completed his attire.
This singular personage, whose presence in the Louvre
seemed so unaccountable, threw his brown mantle on a
chair, and unceremoniously approached Coconnas, whose
eyes, as if fascinated, remained fixed upon La Mole, who
remained at the other end of the room. He looked at the
sick man, and, shaking his head, said to La Mole :
" You haven't hurried yourself."
" I could not get out sooner."
176 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Why did not you send for me ? "
" Whom had I to send ? "
" True, I forgot where we are. Ah, if my prescriptions
had been followed instead of those of that ass, Ambroise
Pare, you would have been by this time in a condition to
go in pursuit of adventures together, or exchange another
sword-thrust if you liked ; but we shall see. Does your
friend hear reason ? "
"Scarcely."
" Hold out your tongue, sir. Ah, I see there's no time
to be lost. This evening I will send you a potion ready
prepared : you must make him take it at three times ; once
at midnight, once at one o'clock, and once at two."
" Very well."
" But who will administer it ? "
"I will."
" You yourself ? "
"Yes."
" You promise me ?"
" On my honor."
" And if the doctor seeks to obtain any of it to analyze
it?"
" I will throw it away to the last drop."
"On your honor ?"
" I swear it ! "
" Done ; but how get it in here ? Oh, faith, I'll send
it to you as from Maitre Kene, the perfumer. He poaches
on my profession so often, I may surely use his name for
once."
" Then," said La Mole, " I rely on you."
" You may."
" And as for the payment ? "
" Oh, we will arrange about that when the gentleman is
well again."
" You may be quite easy on that score, for I am sure
he will pay you nobly."
" No doubt. Adieu, then, M. de la Mole. In two
hours you will have the potion. You understand, it must
be given at midnight, in three doses, from hour to hour."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 177
So saying, he left the room, and La Mole was alone
with Cooonnas.
Coconnas had heard the whole conversation, but re-
membered nothing except the word " Midnight."
He continued to watch La Mole, who remained in the
room, pacing thoughtfully up and down."
The unknown doctor kept his word, and at the ap-
pointed-time sent the potion, which La Mole placed on a
small heater, and then lay down.
The clock struck twelve. Coconnas opened his eyes ;
his breath seemed to scorch his lips, and his throat was
parched with fever ; the night lamp shed a faint light,
and made thousands of phantoms dance before his
eyes.
He then saw La Mole rise from his couch, walk about a
few moments, and then advance towards him, threatening
him, as he thought, with his clenched hand. Coconnas
seized his poniard, and prepared to plunge it into his
enemy.
La Mole approached.
Coconnas murmured :
" Ah ! 'tis you 'tis you, then ! Ah ! you menace me !
yon threaten me ! you smile ! Come, come, come, that I
may kill you."
And suiting the action to the word, as La Mole leaned
towards him, Coconnas drew the poniard from under the
clothes ; but the effort exhausted him, and he fell back
upon his pillow.
"Come, come," said La Mole, supporting him, "drink
this, my poor fellow, for you are burnt up."
It was in reality a cup that La Mole presented to Cocon-
nas, and which he had mistaken for his fist.
But at the nectarous sensation of this blessed draught,
soothing his lips, and cooling his throat, Coconnas re-
sumed his reason, or rather his instinct ; a feeling of de-
light pervaded his frame ; he fixed his eyes on La Mole,
who was supporting him in his arms, and smiled grate-
fully on him ; and from those orbs, so lately glowing with
fury, a tear rolled down his burning cheek.
12
178 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Mordi ! " murmured Coconnas. *' If I get over this,
M. de la Mole, you shall be my friend."
" And you will get over it/' said La Mole, " if you will
drink the other two cups, and have no more ugly dreams/'
An hour afterwards La Mole, obedient to his instruc-
tions, rose again, poured a second dose into the cup, and
carried it to Coconnas, who instead of receiving him with
his poniard, opened his arms, eagerly swallowed the
potion, and then fell asleep.
The third cup had a no less marvelous effect. The
sick man's breathing became more regular, his limbs sup-
ple, a gentle perspiration diffused itself over his skin, and
when Ambroise Par6 visited him the next morning, he
smiled complacently :
"I answer for M. de Coconnas now ; and this will not
be one of the least difficult cures I have effected."
The result of this scene was the friendship of the two
gentlemen, which, commencing at La belle Moile, and
violently interrupted by the night of St. Bartholomew,
now surpassed that of Orestes and Pylades by five sword-
thrusts and one pistol-wound exchanged between them.
Old and new wounds, slight or serious, were at last in a
fair way of cure. La Mole, though quite well, would not
forsake his post of nurse until Coconnas was also recovered.
He raised him in bed, and helped him when he began to
walk, until by the aid of Count Annibal's naturally
vigorous constitution, he was restored to perfect convales-
cence.
However, one and the same thought occupied both the
young men. Each had in his delirium seen the woman he
loved approach his couch, and yet, since they had re-
covered their senses, neither Marguerite nor Madame de
Nevers had appeared. It is true that the gentleman who
had witnessed the combat had come several times, as if
of his own accord, to inquire after them ; it is also true
that Gillonne had done the same ; but La Mole had not
ventured to speak to the one concerning the queen :
Coconnas had not ventured to speak to the other of
Madame de Nevers.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 179
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE VISIT.
DURIFG some time the two young men kept their secret
confined each to his own breast. At last, on a day of
warm and mutual feeling, the thought which had so long
occupied them escaped their lips, and both cemented their
friendship by this final proof, without which there is no
friendship namely, perfect confidence.
They were both madly in love one with a princess, and
the other with a queen.
They both, as they recovered from their illness, took
great pains with their personal appearance. Every man,
even the most indifferent to physical appearance, has, at
certain times, mute interviews with his looking-glass,
signs of intelligence, after which he generally quits his
confidant, quite satisfied with the conversation. Now our
two young friends were not men whose mirrors gave them
no encouragement. La Mole, thin, pale, and elegant,
had the beauty of distinction ; Ooconnas, powerful, large-
framed, and fresh-colored, had the beauty of strength.
He had more, for his recent illness had been of advantage
to him. He had become thinner, grown paler ; and the
famous scar, which had formerly left across his face the
prismatic colors of the rainbow, had disappeared.
The most delicate attentions continued to be lavished on
the two wounded men, and on the day when each was well
enough to rise, he found a robe-de-chambre on the arm of
his easy-chair ; on the day when he was able to dress him-
self, a complete suit of clothes ; moreover, in the pocket
of each doublet was a well-filled purse, which they each
intended, as a matter of course, to return, in time and
place, to the unknown protector who watched over them.
This unknown protector could not be the prince with
whom the two young men resided, for not only the prince
180 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
had never once paid them a visit, but he had not even
sent to make any inquiry after them.
A vague hope whispered to each heart that this unknown
protector was the woman he loved. The two wounded
men therefore awaited with intense impatience the mo-
ment when they could go out. La Mole, stronger and
sooner cured than Ooconnas, could have done so long be-
fore, but a kind of tacit convention bound him to his
friend.
At length, after two months passed in convalescence and
confinement, the long-looked-for day arrived, and about
two o'clock in the afternoon, on a fine day in autumn, such
as Paris sometimes offers to her astonished population, who
have already made up their minds to the winter, the two
friends, leaning on each other's arms, quitted the Louvre.
La Mole undertook to be the guide of Coconnas, and
Coconnas allowed himself to be guided without resistance
or reflection. He knew that his friend meant to conduct
him to the unknown doctor's, whose potion (not patented)
had cured him in a single night, when all the drugs of
Master Ambroise Pare were killing him slowly. He had
divided the money in his purse into two parts, and intended
a hundred rose-nobles for the unknown Esculapius, to
whom his recovery was due. Coconnas was not afraid of
death, but Coconnas was not the less satisfied to be alive
and well.
La Mole directed his steps towards the Place des Halles.
Near the ancient fountain was an octagon stone building,
surmounted by a vast lantern of wood, which was again
surmounted by a pointed roof, on the top of which was a
weathercock. This wooden lantern had eight openings,
traversed, as that heraldic piece which they call the fastis
traverses the field of blazonry, by a kind of wheel of wood,
which was divided in the middle, in order to admit in the
holes cut in it for that purpose the head and hands of the
sentenced person or persons who were exposed at one or
other of all these eight openings.
This singular construction, which had nothing like it in
the surrounding buildings, was called the pillory.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 181
An ill -constructed, irregular, crooked, one-eyed, limp-
ing house, the roof covered with moss, like the skin of a
leper, had, like a toadstool, sprung up at the foot of this
species of tower.
This house was the executioner's.
A man was exposed, and was thrusting out his tongue
at the passers-by ; he was one of the robbers who had been
following his profession beneath the gibbet of Montfaucon,
and had by ill-luck been arrested in the exercise of his
functions.
Coconnas believed that his friend had brought him to
see this singular spectacle, and mingled in the crowd of
amateurs who replied to the grimaces of the patient by
vociferations and shouts. Coconnas was naturally cruel,
and the sight very much amused him ; and when the
moving lantern was turning on its base, in order to show
the exhibited to another portion of the multitude, and the
crowd were following, Coconnas would have accompanied
them, had not La Mole checked him, saying,in a low tone :
" It was not for this that we came here." And he led
Coconnas to a small window in the house which abutted
on the tower, and at which a man was leaning.
"Ah ah ! is it you, messeigueurs ?" said the man, rais-
ing his blood-red cap, and showing his black and thick hair,
which descended to his eyebrows. " You are welcome."
" Who is this man?" inquired Coconnas, endeavoring
to recollect, for he believed he had seen his face during
one of the crises of his fever.
"Your preserver, my dear friend," replied La Mole;
" he who brought to you at the Louvre that refreshing
drink which did you so much good."
" Oh, oh ! " said Coconnas ; "in that case, my
friend "
And he held out his hand to him.
But the man, instead of returning the gesture, stood up
and retreated a pace from the two friends.
" Sir," he said to Coconnas, " thanks for the honor you
offer me, but it is most probable that if you knew me, you
would not vouchsafe it."
182 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"Mafoi!" said Goconnas ; "I declare that, even if
you were the devil himself, I am very greatly obliged to
you, for I owe you my life/'
" I am not exactly the devil," replied the man in the
red cap ; "but yet there are frequently persons who would
rather see the devil than me."
" Then, who are you ? " asked Coconnas.
" Sir," replied the man, " I am Maitre Caboche, the
executioner of the provostry of Paris "
" Ah " said Coconnas, withdrawing his hand.
" You see ! " said Maitre Caboche.
" No, no ; I will touch your hand, or may the devil
fetch me ! Hold it out "
"Keally?"
" Most certainly/'
" Here it is ! "
*' Open it wider wider ! "
And Coconnas took from his pocket the handful of gold
he had -prepared for his anonymous physician, and placed
it in the executioner's hand.
" I would rather have had your hand entirely and
solely !" said Maitre Caboche, shaking his head ; "for I
am not in want of money, but of hands to touch mine.
Never mind ! God bless you, gentlemen ! "
" So, then, my friend," said Coconnas, looking at the
executioner with curiosity, "it is you who give men pain,
who put them on the wheel, rack them, cut off heads, and
break bones. Ah, ah ! I am very glad to have formed
your acquaintance."
" Sir," said Maitre Caboche, " I do not do all myself :
just as you have lackeys, you noble gentlemen, to do what
you do not choose to do yourself, so have I my assistants,
who do the coarser work and make preparations. Only
when, by chance, I have to do with folks of quality, like
you and that other gentleman, for instance, ah ! it is then
a very different thing, and I take a pride in doing every-
thing myself, from first to last that is to say, from the
first putting of the question, to the beheading ! "
In spite of himself, Coconnas felt a shudder pervade his
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 183
veins, as if the actual wedge was being driven beside his
legs as if the edge of the ax was against his neck.
La Mole, without being able to account for it, felt the
same sensation. But Coconnas overcame the emotion, of
which he was ashamed, and desirous of taking leave of
Maitre Caboche with a jest on his lips, said to him :
" Well, master, I hold you to your word, and when it is
my turn to mount the gallows of Euguerrand de Marigny,
or the scaffold of M. de Nemours, you alone shall lay
hands on me/'
" I promise you."
" Then, this time here is my hand, as a pledge that I
accept your promise," said Coconnas.
And he extended to the headsman his hand, which the
headsman touched timidly with his own, although it was
evident that he had a great desire to grasp it warmly.
At this slight touch, Coconnas turned rather pale ; but
a smile still remained on his lips, whilst La Mole, ill at
ease, and seeing the crowd turn with the lantern and come
towards them, touched his cloak.
Coconnas, who in reality had as great desire as La Mole
to put an end to this scene, nodded to the executioner,
and went his way.
" Mafoi ! " said La Mole, when he and his companion had
reached the Cross de Trahoir, " we breathe more freely
here than in the Place des Halles ! "
"Decidedly," replied Coconnas; "but I am not the
less glad at having made Maitre Caboche's acquaintance.
It is well to have friends everywhere."
CHAPTER XIX.
THE ABODE OF MAITRE RENE, PERFUMER TO THE
QUEEN-MOTHER.
AT the period of this history there existed in Paris, for
passing from one part of the city to another, but five
bridges, some of stone and the others of wood, and they
184: MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
all led to the Cite ; amongst these five bridges, each of
which has its history, we shall now speak more particularly
of the Pont-Saint-Michel.
In the midst of the houses which bordered the line of the
bridge, facing a small islet, was a house remarkable for its
panels of wood, over which a large roof impended, like the
lid of an immense eye. At the only window which opened
on the first story, over the window and door of the ground-
floor, closely shut, was observable a reddish light, which
attracted the attention of the passers-by to the low fa9ade,
large, and painted blue, with rich gol(J mouldings. A
kind of frieze, which separated the ground-floor from
the first-floor, represented groups of devils in the most
grotesque postures imaginable ; and a large plain strip,
painted blue like the faqade, ran between the frieze and
the window, with this inscription : " Rene, Florentine,
Perfumer to Her Majesty, the Queen-Mother."
The door of this shop was, as we have said, closely
bolted ; but it was defended from nocturnal attacks better
than by bolts, by the reputation of its occupant, so re-
doubtable that the passengers over the bridge usually kept
away from contact with the building, as if they feared the
very smell of the perfumes that might exhale from the
house.
From similar motives, the neighbors right and left of
Ren6 had quitted their houses, which were thus entirely
deserted ; yet, in spite of this solitude, belated passers by
had frequently seen, glittering through the crevices of the
shutters of these empty habitations, certain rays of light,
and had heard certain noises like groans, which proved
that some beings frequented these abodes, although they
did not know if they belonged to this world or the other.
It was, doubtless, owing to the privilege which the dread
of him, widely circulated, had procured for him, that
Maitre Ren 6 had dared to keep up a light after the pre-
scribed hour. No round or guard, however, would have
dared to molest him, a man doubly dear to her majesty as
her fellow-countryman and perfumer.
The shop of the ground-floor had been dark and deserted
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 185
since eight o'clock in the evening the hour at which it
closed, not again to open until next morning, and it was
there was the daily sale of perfumery, unguents, cosmetics,
and all the articles of a skilful chemist. Two apprentices
aided him in the retail business, but did not sleep in the
house.
In the evening they went out an instant before the shop
was closed, and in the morning waited at the door until
it was opened.
In the shop, which was large and deep, there were two
doors, each leading to a staircase. One of these staircases
was in the wall itself, and the other was exterior, and visible
from the Quai des Augustins, and from what is now called
the Quai des Orfevres.
Both led to a room on the first-floor, of the same size as
the ground-floor, except that it was divided into two com-
partments by tapestry suspended in the center. At the
end of the first compartment opened the door which led
to the exterior staircase. On the side face of the second
opened the door of the secret staircase. This door was
invisible ; being concealed by a large carved cupboard
fastened to it by iron cramps, and moving with it when
pushed open. Catherine alone, besides Rene, knew the
secret of this door, and by it she came and departed ; and
with eye or ear placed against the cupboard, in which were
several small holes, she saw and heard all that passed in
the chamber.
Two other doors, visible to all eyes, presented themselves
at the sides of the second compartment. One opened to
a small chamber lighted from the roof, and having nothing
in it but a large stove, alembics, retorts, and crucibles : it
was an alchemist's laboratory ; the other opened on to a
cell more singular than the rest of the apartment, for it
was not lighted at all had neither carpet nor furniture,
but only a kind of stone altar.
The floor sloped from the center to the ends, and from
the ends to the base of the wall was a kind of gutter end-
ing in a funnel, through whose orifice might be seen the
somber waters of the Seine. On nails driven into the walla
186 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
were suspended instruments of singular shape, all keen and
trenchant, with points as fine as a needle and edges as
sharp as a razor : some shone like mirrors ; others, on the
contrary, were of a dull gray or murky blue. In a corner
were two black fowls, struggling with each other and tied
together by the claws. This was the Sanctuary of Augnry.
Let us return to the middle chamber, that with two
compartments.
It was here that the vulgar clients were introduced :
here were Ibises of Egypt ; mummies, with gilded bands ;
the crocodile, yawning from the ceiling ; death's heads,
with eyeless sockets and gumless teeth ; and here, old
musty volumes, torn and rat-eaten, were presented to the
eye of the visitor in pell-mell confusion. Behind the cur-
tain were phials, singularly shaped boxes, and vases of
curious construction ; all lighted up by two small silver
lamps which, supplied with perfumed oil, cast their yellow
flame around the somber vault, to which each was sus-
pended by three blackened chains.
Rene, alone, his arms crossed, was pacing up and down
the second compartment with long strides, and shaking
his head. After a lengthened and painful musing he
paused before an hour-glass.
" Ah ! ah 1 " he said, " I forgot to turn it ; and perhaps
the sand has all passed a long time since."
Then, looking at the moon, as it struggled through a
heavy black cloud which seemed to hang over Ndtre-Dame,
he said : " It is nine o'clock. If she comes, she will come,
as usual, in an hour or an hour and a half; then there
will be time for all."
At this moment a noise was heard on the bridge. Ren6
applied his ear to the long tube, the extremity of which
reached unto the street.
" No," he said, " it is neither she nor they : it is men's
footsteps, and they stop at my door they are coming
hither."
And three knocks were heard at the door.
Rene 1 rapidly descended, and placed his ear against the
door, without opening it.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 187
The blows were repeated.
" Who's there ? " asked Ren6.
" Is it necessary that we should mention our names ? "
inquired a voice.
" Absolutely indispensable/* replied Ren6 .
" Then, I am the Count Annibal de Coconnas/' said the
same voice.
"And I am the Count Lerac de la Mole/' said another
voice.
" Wait, wait a second, gentlemen, and I am at your
service;" and at the same moment, Rene, drawing the
bolts and lifting the bars, opened the door to the two
young men only, locking it after him. Then, conducting
them by the exterior staircase, he introduced them into
the second compartment.
La Mole, as he entered, made the sign of the cross under
his cloak. He was pale, and his hand trembled without
his being able to repress this symptom of weakness.
Coconnas looked at everything, one after the other ; and
seeing the door of the cell, tried to open it.
" Allow me to observe, sir," said Rene, in a serious tone,
and placing his hand on Coconnas', " that those who do me
the honor of a visit, have only access to this apartment."
" Oh, very well/' replied Coconnas ; " besides, I want
to sit down," and he placed himself on a chair.
There was profound silence for the next minute
Maitre Rene expecting that one or other of the young men
would open the conversation.
" Maitre Rene," at length said Coconnas, " you are a
very skilful man, and I pray you tell me if I shall always
remain a sufferer from my wound that is, always ex-
perience this shortness of breath, which prevents me from
riding on horseback, practising feats of arms, and eating
rich omelettes ? "
Rene put his ear to Coconnas' chest, and listened at-
tentively to the play of the lungs.
" 'No, comte," he replied, "you will be cured."
" Really ? "
" Yes, I assure you/'
DUMAS VOL. III. 9
188 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Well, I am happy to hear it."
Again, all was silent.
" Is there nothing else you would desire to know, M. le
Comte ? "
" 1 wish to know," said Coconnas, " if I am really in
love ?"
" You are/' replied Ren6.
" How do you know ? "
" Because you ask the question."
" Mordi ! you are right. But with whom ?"
" With her who now, on every occasion, uses the oath
you have just uttered."
" Ah ! " said Coconnas, amazed ; " Maitre Ren, you
are a wonderful man ! Now, La Mole, it is your turn."
La Mole blushed, and seemed embarrassed.
"I, M. Ren6," he stammered, and speaking more firmly
as he proceeded, " do not desire to ask you if I am in love,
for I know that I am, and do not seek to conceal it from
myself : but tell me, shall I be beloved in return ? for, in
truth, all that at first seemed propitious now turns against
me."
" Perchance you have not done all you should do."
" What is there to do, sir, but to testify, by our respect
and devotion to the lady of our thoughts, that she is really
and profoundly beloved ? "
" You know," replied Ren6, " that these demonstra-
tions are frequently very insignificant."
" Then must I despair ?"
" By no means ; we must have recourse to science.
There are in human nature antipathies to be overcome
sympathies which may be forced. Iron is not the load-
stone ; but by impregnating it, we make it, in its turn,
attract iron."
" Yes, yes," muttered La Mole ; " but I have an objec-
tion to all these sorceries."
" Ah, then, if you have any such objections, you should
not come here," answered Ren6.
" Come, come, this is child's play ! " interposed Co-
connas. " Maitre Ren6, can you show me the devil ?"
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 189
"No, M. le Comte."
"I'm sorry for that; for I had a question or two to
put to his dark highness, and it might have encouraged
La Mole."
" Well, then, let it be so," said La Mole, "let us go
to the point at once. They have spoken to me of figures
modeled in wax after the resemblance of the beloved
object. Is this a method ?"
" An infallible one."
" And in the experiment, there is nothing which can in
any way affect the life or health of the person beloved ? "
" Nothing."
" Let us try, then."
" Shall I make first trial ? " said Coconnas.
" No," said La Mole, " since I have begun, I will go
through to the end."
At this moment, some one rapped lightly at the door
so lightly that Maitre Rene alone heard the noise for
which he had been awaiting.
He put, without any hesitation, his ear to the pipe,
whilst he made several inquiries of La Mole. Then he
added, suddenly :
" And then think well of your wish, and call the per-
son whom you love."
La Mole knelt, as if about to name a divinity ; and
Rene, going into the other compartment, went out noise-
lessly by the exterior staircase, and an instant afterwards,
light steps trod the flooring of his shop.
La Mole rose, and beheld before him Maitre Rene.
The Florentine held in his hand a small figure in wax,
very indifferently modeled, and wearing a crown and
mantle.
" Do you desire to be always beloved by your royal mis-
tress ? " demanded the perfumer.
"Yes, if my life my soul, should be the sacrifice I"
replied La Mole.
"Well," said the Florentine, taking with the ends of
his finger some drops of water from an ewer, sprinkling
them over the figure, and muttering certain Latin words.
190 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
La Mole shuddered, believing that some sacrilege was
being committed.
" What are you doing ?" he inquired.
" I am christening this figure with the name of Mar-
guerite."
" For what purpose ? "
"To establish a sympathy."
Ren6 then traced on a small strip of red paper certain
cabalistic characters, put it into the eye of a steel needle,
and with the needle pierced the small wax model in the
heart.
Strange to say, at the orifice of the wound appeared a
small drop of blood, and then he burnt a piece of paper.
The warmth of the needle melted the wax, and dried up
the spot of blood.
" Thus/' said Rene, "by the force of sympathy, your
love shall pierce and burn the heart of the woman whom
yon love."
Coconnas, as the bolder spirit of the two, laughed, and
in a low tone jested at the whole affair ; but La Mole,
amorous and superstitious, felt a cold dew start from the
roots of his hair.
"And now," continued Rene, "press your lips to the
lips of the figure, and say : ' Marguerite, I love thee !
Come, Marguerite, come ! ' '
La Mole obeyed.
At this moment they heard the door of the second
chamber open, and light steps approach. Coconnas, curi-
ous and incredulous, drew his poniard, and fearing a re-
buke from Rene if he raised the tapestry, cut a small piece
out with his dagger, and applying his eye to the hole,
uttered a cry of astonishment, to which two female voices
responded.
"What is it ?" exclaimed La Mole, nearly dropping the
waxen figure, which Ren6 caught from his hands.
" Why," replied Coconnas, " the Duchesse de Nevers
and Madame Marguerite are there ! "
"Well, then, incredulous ! " replied Ren6, with an aus-
tere smile, " do you still doubt the force of sympathy ? **
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 191
La Mole was petrified on seeing the Queen ; Coconnas
was amazed at beholding Madame de Nevers. One be-
lieved that the sorceries of Rene had evoked the specter
of Marguerite : the other, seeing the door half open, by
which the lovely phantoms had entered, gave at once a
worldly and substantial explanation to "the mystery.
Whilst La Mole was crossing himself and sighing, Co-
connas, who had driven away all ideas of the interference
of the foul fiend by the aid of his strong powers of incred-
ulity, having observed, through the chink in the curtain,
the astonishment of Madame de Nevers and the somewhat
caustic smile of Marguerite, judged it to be a decisive
moment, and understanding that a man may say in behalf
of a friend what he cannot say for himself, instead of go-
ing to Madame de Nevers, went straight to Marguerite,
and bending his knee, after the fashion of the great
Artaxerxes, cried, in a voice not deficient in effect :
" Madame, this very moment, at the demand of my
friend the Count de la Mole, Maitre Ren6 evoked your
spirit ; and to my utter astonishment, your spirit is ac-
companied with a body most dear to us, and which I rec-
ommend to my friend. Shade of her majesty the Queen
of Navarre, will you desire the body of your companion to
come on the other side of the curtain ? "
Marguerite laughed heartily, and made a sign to Henri-
ette, who passed to the other side of the curtain.
" La Mole, my friend," continued Coconnas, " be as
eloquent as Demosthenes, as Cicero, as the Chancellor de
l'H6pital ! and be assured that my life will be perilled
if you do not persuade the body of Madame de Nevers
that I am her most devoted, most obedient, and most faith-
ful servant."
" But " stammered La Mole.
" Do as I desire ! And you, Maitre Ren6, watch that
we are not interrupted."
Rene" did as Coconnas desired him.
" Mordi! sir," said Marguerite, "you are a man of
sense. I listen to you. What have you to say ? "
"I have to say to you, madauie, that the shadow of my
192 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
friend for he is a shadow, and he proves it by not utter-
ing a single syllable I say, then, that this shadow has
supplicated me to use the faculty which material bodies
possess, and to say to you : Lovely Shadow, the gentle-
man who thus lost his corporeality has lost it by the rigor
of your eyes. If you were yourself, I would ask Maitre
Rene to plunge me in some sulphureous hole rather than
hold such language to the daughter of Henry II., the
sister of King Charles IX., and the wife of the King of
Navarre. But shadows are freed from all terrestrial pride,
and are never haughty when they love. Therefore, pray
of your body, madame, to bestow a little love on poor La
Mole a soul in trouble, if ever there was one ; a soul first
persecuted by friendship, which three times thrust into
him several inches of cold steel ; a soul burnt by the fire
of your eyes fire a thousand times more consuming than
all the flames of Tartarus ! Have pity, then, on this poor
soul ! Love a little what was the handsome La Mole ; and
if you no longer possess speech, ah ! bestow a gesture, a
smile upon him. The soul of my friend is a very intelli-
gent soul, and will easily comprehend. Be kind to him,
then ; or, mordi! I will pass my sword through the body
of Rene, in order that, by virtue of the power which he
possesses over spirits, he may force yours, which he has
already so opportunely evoked, to do all a shadow so
amiably disposed as yours appears to be, should do."
Marguerite could not repress a burst of laughter at this
tirade ; yet, preserving the silence which, on such an oc-
casion, may be supposed characteristic of a royal shade,
she presented her hand to Coconnas, who took it tenderly
in his own, and, calling to La Mole, said :
" Shade of my friend, come hither instantly ! "
La Mole, amazed, overcome, silently obeyed.
" 'Tis well/' said Coconnas, taking him by the back of
the head ; " and now bring the shadow of your handsome
brown countenance into contact with the white and vap-
orous hand before you."
And Coconnas, suiting the " action to the word," placed
this most delicate hand to La Mole's lips, and kept them
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 193
for a moment respectfully united, without the hand seek-
ing to withdraw itself from the gentle pressure.
La Mole then, summoning his presence of mind, sud-
denly rose, and leaving the hand of Marguerite in that of
Cocounas, took himself that of the Duchess de Nevers,
and bending his knee, said :
" Loveliest most adorable of women I speak of living
women, and not of shadows ! " and he turned a look and
a smile to Marguerite ; " allow a soul released from its
mortal trappings to repair the absence of a body fully ab-
sorbed by material friendship. M. de Coconnas, whom
you see, is but a man a man of bold and hardy frame, of
flesh handsome to gaze upon perchance, but perishable,
like all flesh. Yet although a stalwart and right knightly
gentleman, who, as you have seen, distributes as heavy blows
as were ever seen in wide France this champion, so full of
eloquence in presence of a spirit, dares not accost a female
body in the flesh. 'Tis therefore he has addressed the
shadow of the queen, charging me to speak to your lovely
body, and to tell you that he lays at your feet his soul and
heart ; that he entreats from your divine eyes a look in
pity from your rosy fingers, to beckon him with a sign,
and from your musical and heavenly voice to say those
words which he never can forget ; if not, he has suppli-
cated another thing and that is, in case he should not
soften you, you will pass, for the second time, my sword
which is a real blade, for swords have no shadows but in
the sunshine pass my sword right through his body, for
he can live no longer if you do not authorize him to live
exclusively for you/*
Henriette's eyes (she herself had been a little jealous of
Coconnas's address to the Queen of Navarre) turned from
La Mole, to whom she had listened, towards Coconnas,
to see if the expression of that gentleman's countenance
harmonized with the loveful address of his friend. It
seemed that she was satisfied, for blushing, breathless,
conquered, she said to Coconuas, with a smile, which dis-
closed a double row of pearls enclosed in coral :
" Is this true ? "
194 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Mordi! " exclaimed Coconnas, fascinated by her look,
" it is true, indeed. Oh, yes, madame, it is true true on
my life' true on my death ! "
" There, then," said Henriette extending to him her
hand whilst her eyes proclaimed the feelings of her heart.
Coconnas and La Mole each approached his lady-love,
when suddenly the door at the bottom opened, and Rene
appeared.
" Silence ! " he exclaimed, in a voice which at once
damped all the ardor of the lovers ; " silence ! "
And they heard in the solid wall the sound of a key in
a lock, and of a door grating on its hinges.
"But," said Marguerite, haughtily, "I should think
that no one has the right to enter whilst we are here I"
"Not the queen-mother?" murmured Rene in her
ear.
Marguerite instantly rushed out by the exterior stair-
case, leading La Mole after her ; Henriette and Coconnas
followed them.
They all four fled, as fly at the first noise the birds we
have seen engaged in loving parley on the boughs of a
flowering shrub.
CHAPTER XX.
THE BLACK HENS.
IT was time for the two couples to disappear. Cath-
erine turned the key in the lock, just as Coconnas and
Madame de Nevers closed the secret door, and Catherine
could hear their steps on the stairs.
She cast a suspicious glance around, and then fixing her
eyes on Rene, who stood motionless before her, said :
"Who was that?"
" Only some lovers, who are quite content with the as-
surance I gave them, that they are really in love."
" Never mind them," said Catherine, shrugging her
shoulders : " is there no one here ?"
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 196
" No one but your majesty and myself. "
" Have you done what I ordered yon ? "
" About the two black hens ? "
"Yes!"
" They are ready, madame ? "
" Ah/' muttered Catherine, " if you were a Jew ! "
" Why a Jew, madame ? "
" Because you could then read the Hebrew treatises
concerning sacrifices. I have had one of them translated,
and I found that it was not in the heart or livei that the
Hebrews sought for omens ; but in the brain, and the
letters traced there by the all-powerful hand of destiny."
" Yes, madame ; so I have heard from an old rabbi."
"There are," said Catherine, " characters thus marked
that reveal all the future. Only the Chaldean seers rec-
ommend "
" What ?" asked Eene, seeing the queen hesitate.
" That the experiment shall be tried on the human
brain, as more developed and more nearly sympathizing
with the wishes of the consulter."
" Alas ! " said Rene, " Your majesty knows it is im-
possible."
"Difficult, at least," said Catherine; "if we had
known this at the St. Bartholomew, what a rich harvest
we might have had. But I will think of it the first
time anybody is to be hanged. Meantime, let us do what
we can. Is the chamber of sacrifice prepared ? "
" Yes, madame."
" Let us go there."
Rene lighted a taper made of strange substances, and
emitting strong odors, and preceded Catherine into the
cell.
Catherine selected from amongst the sacrificial instru-
ments a knife of blue steel, whilst Eene took up one of
the fowls that were crouched in the corner.
" How shall we proceed ? "
" We will examine the liver of the one and the brain of
the other. If these two experiments lead to the same result
with the former, we must needs be convinced."
196 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"With which shall we commence ?"
" With the liver."
" Very well," said Ren6, and he fastened the bird down
to two rings attached to the little altar, so that the crea-
ture, turned on its back, could only struggle, without stir-
ring from the spot.
Catherine opened its breast with a single stroke of her
knife ; the fowl uttered three cries, and, after some con-
vulsions, expired.
" Always three cries ! " said Catherine ; " three signs of
death."
She then opened the body.
" And the liver inclining to the left always to the left,
a triple death, followed by a downfall. 'Tis terrible,
Rene."
" We must see, madame, whether the presages from the
second correspond with those of the first."
Ren6 threw the dead fowl into a corner, and went to-
wards the other, which, endeavoring to escape, and seeing
itself pent up in a corner, flew suddenly over Rene's head,
and in its flight extinguished the magic taper Catherine
held.
" Thus shall our race be extinguished," said the queen :
" death shall breathe upon it, and destroy it from the face
of the earth ! Yet three sons ! three sons ! " she mur-
mured, sorrowfully.
Rene took from her the extinguished taper, and went to
relight it.
On his return, he found the hen huddled in a corner.
" This time," said Catherine, " I will prevent the cries,
for I will cut off the head at once. "
And accordingly, as soon as the hen was bound, Cath-
erine severed the head at a single blow ; but in th6 last
agony the beak opened three times, and then closed for-
ever.
" Seest thou," said Catherine, terrified, " instead of
three cries, three sighs ? they will all three die. Let us
now see the brain."
She severed the comb from the head, and carefully open-
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 197
ing the skull, endeavored to trace a letter formed in the
bloody cavities that divide the brain.
" Always so ! " cried she, clasping her hands ; " and
this time clearer than ever ; see here ! "
Rene approached.
"What is this letter ?" asked Catherine.
" An H," replied Rene.
" How many times repeated ? "
" Four/' said he.
" Ay, ay ! I see it ! that is to say, HENRY IV. Oh,"
cried she, casting the knife from her, "I am accursed in
my posterity ! "
She was terrible, that woman, pale as a corpse, lighted
by the dismal taper, and clasping her bloody hands.
" He will reign ! " she exclaimed ; " he will reign ! "
" He will reign ! " repeated Rene, buried in medita-
tion.
The gloomy expression of Catherine's face soon disap-
peared before a sudden thought had passed through her
mind.
"Rene, "said she, without lifting her head from her
breast, " Rene, do you recollect the terrible history of a
doctor at Perugia, who killed at once, by the aid of a
pomade, his daughter and his daughter's lover ?"
" Yes, madame."
" And this lover "
" Was King Ladislaus, madame."
" Ah, yes ! " murmured she ; " have you any account of
this history ? "
*' I have an old book that mentions it," replied Rene.
" Well, let us go into the other chamber, and then you
can show it me."
They quitted the cell, the door of which Rene closed
after him
" Has your majesty any other orders to give me concern-
ing the sacrifices ? "
" No, Rene, none ; I am sufficiently satisfied for the
present ; only the next execution you must arrange with
the executioner for the head."'
198 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Rene bowed and approached the shelves, where stood
the books, reached down one of them, opened it, turned
over the leaves an instant, and then handed it to the
queen-mother.
Catherine sat down at a table, Ren6 placed the magic
taper close to her, and by its dim and vivid glare she read
a few lines.
" Good !" said she ; "this is all I wanted to know."
She rose from her seat, leaving the book on the table,
but bearing away the idea that had germinated in her
mind, and which would ripen there.
Ren waited respectfully, taper in hand, until the queen,
who seemed about to retire, should give him fresh orders
or ask fresh questions.
Catherine walked up and down several times without
speaking. Then suddenly stopping before Rene, and fix-
ing on him her eyes, round and piercing as those of a bird
of prey :
" Confess you have given her some love-draught/' said
she.
" Whom ?" asked Ren6, starting.
"LaSauve."
" I, madame ? " said Ren6 ; " never 1"
"Never?*
" I swear it."
" There must be some magic in it, however, for he is
desperately in love with her, though he is not famous for
his constancy."
" Who, madame ? "
"He, Henry, the accursed he who is to succeed my
three sons he who shall one day sit upon the throne of
France, and be called Henry IV., and is yet the son of
Jeanne d'Albret."
And Catherine accompanied these words with a sigh
that made Ren6 shudder, for he thought of the famous
gloves he had prepared by Catherine's order for the Queen
of Navarre.
" He runs after her still, then ?" said Rene.
" Still," replied the queen.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 199
" I thought that the King of Navarre was quite in love
with his wife now."
" All a farce, Ren6. I know not why, but everybody is
seeking to deceive me. My daughter Marguerite is leagued
against me ; perhaps she, too, is looking forward to her
brother's death ; perhaps she, too, hopes to be Queen of
France."
" Perhaps so/' re-echoed Ren6, resuming his own
reverie.
" Ha I we shall see," said Catherine, advancing towards
the great door, for she doubtless judged it useless to de-
scend the secret stair, after Renews assurance that they
were alone.
Rene preceded her, and in a few minutes they stood in
the laboratory of the perfumer.
" You promised me some fresh cosmetics for my hands
and lips, Rene ; the winter is approaching, and you know
how tender my skin is."
" I have already thought of that, madame ; and I in-
tended to bring you some to-morrow."
" I shall not be visible before nine o'clock to-morrow
evening ; I shall be occupied with my devotions during
the day."
" I will be at the Louvre at nine o'clock, then,
madame."
" Madame de Sauve has beautiful hands and lips," said
Catherine, in a careless tone. "What pomade does she
use ? "
" Heliotrope."
"For her hands?"
"Yes."
"What for her lips?"
" She is going to try a new composition of my invention,
and of which I intended to bring your majesty a box at
the same time."
Catherine mused an instant.
"She is certainly very beautiful," said she, pursuing
her secret thoughts, "and the passion of the Bearnais for
her is astonishing."
200 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"And so devoted to your majesty/* said Rene 1 .
Catherine shrugged his shoulders.
" When a woman loves, is she faithful to any one but
her lover ? You must have given her some love-spell,
Rene."
"I swear I have not, madame."
" Well, well ; we'll say no more ahout it. Show me
this opiate you spoke of, that is to make her lips still
more rosy."
Rene approached a drawer, and showed Catherine six
small silver boxes of a round shape, ranged side by side.
"This is the only spell she ever asked me for," observed
Ren6 ; " it is true, as your majesty says, I have composed
it expressly for her, for her lips are so tender that the sun
and wind affect them equally."
Catherine opened one of the boxes ; it contained a
beautiful carmine paste.
" Give me some paste for my hands, Rene," said she ;
" I will take it away with me, for I have none."
Rene took the taper, and went to seek, in a private
drawer, what the queen asked for. As he turned, he
fancied that he saw the queen conceal a box under her
mantle ; he was, however, too familiar with these habits
of the queen to affect to perceive the movement ; so wrap-
ping the cosmetic she demanded in a paper bag, orna-
mented with fleurs-de-lis :
" Here it is, madame," he said.
" Thanks, Rene," returned the queen : then, after a
moment's silence : " Do not give Madame de Sauve that
paste for a few days ; I wish to make the first trial of it
myself."
And she approached the door.
" Shall I have the honor of escorting your majesty?"
asked Ren6.
" Only to the end of the bridge," replied Catherine ;
tc my gentlemen and my litter wait for me there."
They left the house, and at the end of the Rue Baril-
lerie four gentlemen on horseback and a plain litter were
in attendance.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 201
On his return, Rene's first care was to count his boxes
of opiates one was wanting.
CHAPTER XXI.
MADAME DE SATJVE's CHAMBER.
CATHERINE had calculated rightly in supposing that
Henry would speedily resume his habit of passing his
evenings with Madame de Sauve. 'Tis true that the ut-
most caution was at first observed in making these visits,
but by degrees all precaution was laid aside, and so openly
did the King of Navarre avow his preference for the so-
ciety of Madame de Sauve, that Catherine experienced
not the smallest difficulty in ascertaining that, however her
daughter Marguerite might claim the title of his queen,
the real sovereign of his affections was the fair Char-
lotte.
We have already made a slight mention of these apart-
ments, but for the reader's better information, we will
state that they were situated on the second floor of the
palace, almost immediately above those occupied by Henry
himself, and in common with the suites of rooms occupied
by such as were officially employed by the royal family,
were small, dark, and inconvenient ; the door opened upon a
corridor, feebly lighted by an arched window at the fur-
ther end, but so completely did the cumbrous sashes in-
terfere with the purpose for which the window in question
had been, no doubt, originally intended, that it was only
during a few hours of a sunshiny day that a few strag-
gling rays gained admittance ; during winter it was
necessary to light the lamp placed at the end by two
o'clock in the day, and the said lamp only containing a
certain portion of oil, it followed, as a matter of course,
that by the hour of Henry's usual visit, it was exhausted,
leaving the whole corridor in a state of darkness.
The suite of rooms devoted to the service of Madame de
Sauve consisted of a small antechamber, lumg with yellow
202 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
damask ; a receiving-room, with hangings of blue velvet ;
a sleeping-room, with its bed of curiously carved wood,
heavy curtains of rose-colored satin, and tester composed
of looking-glass, set in silver, and paintings representing
the loves of Venus and Adonis ; such was the residence, or
rather nest, of the lovely Charlotte de la Sauve, lady-in-
waiting to her majesty Queen Catherine.
A more careful examination of the apartments we
.have just been describing discovered a toilet abundantly
and luxuriously provided with all the accessories of female
beauty , nearly opposite to which was a small door
opening into a kind of oratory, where, at an eleva-
tion of two steps from the ground, stood a carved prie-
dieu. Against the walls were suspended three or four
paintings, representing the most striking passages in the
lives of the saints, mingled with arms for female use, both
offensive and defensive ; for in these times of mysterious
intrigue, women carried arms as well as men, and very
frequently employed them as skilfully.
The evening on which we have introduced the reader to
Madame de Sauve's apartments was the one following the
scenes in which Maitre Een6 had played so conspicuous a
part; and the fair Charlotte, seated beside Henry in her
sleeping chamber, was eloquently discoursing of her fears
and affection, and touched on the devotion she had ex-
hibited the night succeeding the massacre of St. Barthol-
omew the only night Henry had passed in Marguerite's
apartments.
Henry, meanwhile, though duly grateful for the deep
interest expressed for him by the beautiful creature, who
looked more than usually captivating in the simple white
peignoir in which she was robed, was more grave and
thoughtful than exactly satisfied Madame de Sauve, who
had strictly obeyed Catherine's injunctions to evince the
most extreme affection for Henry. She eagerly and search-
ingly gazed upon him, as though to ascertain how far his
words and looks agreed.
" Charlotte," said Henry, at last, roused by her manner
from his meditative mood, " there is one question I want
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 03
to ask you, and I trust to you to answer me truly. How
comes it that, all at once, I find you listening so readily to
my suit, and lavishing upon so unworthy a creature as my-
self the rich treasures of that love I so earnestly, though
vainly, sought to obtain before my marriage ? Something
whispers to me that I am indebted to the interference of
her majesty Queen Catherine for the delightful change I
experience."
Madame blushed, and hastily exclaimed, "For Heaven's
sake, speak not so loud when you name the queen-mother ! "
"Nay," answered Henry, with such an air of confidence
as to deceive even Madame de Sauve herself, " there was
a time when such caution was requisite ; but now that I
am her daughter's husband, the case is different."
"Ah, Henry ! " replied Madame de Sauve, "you have
been sporting with my credulity in persuading me you
love me ; 'tis too plain you have bestowed your affections
with your hand on Madame Marguerite."
Henry smiled.
" There !" exclaimed Madame de Sauve, "you smile so
provokingly that I feel as though I could quarrel with
you, and forbid you ever to see my face again ! May I re-
quest to be informed what your majesty meant by saying
that you owed my love to the orders of the queen-mother ? "
" Why, I meant this, sweetheart, and nothing more :
that, though your heart felt inclined to return my love,
you durst not listen to its dictates till authorized by Cath-
erine herself. But be content, and believe that I fully re-
turn your affection ; and for that reason, I will not confide
to you the secret working of my thoughts, lest you should
be-a sufferer ; for the friendship of the queen is unstable
there is no dependence on it it is just the uncertain,
changeable regard of a mother-in-law."
This was not the point at which Charlotte aimed ; and
it seemed to her as though an impenetrable barrier arose
to separate her from her lover directly she attempted to
sound the fathomless recesses of his heart. Her eyes filled
with tears, but just as she was about to reply, ten o'clock
struck.
204 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Your majesty will pardon me for reminding you that
it is late ; and I am required to be early in my attendance
on the queen-mother to-morrow morning/'
" In other words, you are tired of my company, and
want to get rid of me ; eh, pretty one ? Is it not so ? "
said Henry.
" Nay," answered Charlotte, " I am somewhat indisposed
to-night ; and as I fear I may be led to say what it may dis-
please your majesty to hear, I would humbly request you
to retire, and leave me to my own sad thoughts."
" Well ! " cried Henry, " be it as you will ; but by way
of recompense for my obedience, will you not allow me to
be present while that beautiful hair is arranged for the
night ? "
" Does not your majesty fear the displeasure of Queen
Marguerite, should you protract your departure ?"
" Charlotte," answered Henry, with a serious air, " we
agreed never to allude to or mention the name of the Queen
of Navarre, and it seems to me as though, to-night, we had
talked of nothing else."
Madame de Sauve arose with a sigh, and seated herself
before her toilet-table, while Henry, drawing a chair be-
side her, placed one knee on the seat, and leaning on the
back, exclaimed :
" Mercy on us ! what a heap of wonderful things you
have here, my pretty Charlotte ! scent-bottles, powders,
pots of perfume, odoriferous pastiles, phials, washes. Who
would think so many accessories were requisite ere beauty
could be made perfect ? "
"Still," replied Charlotte, "it seems that my toilet
lacks the one needful embellishment that would enable me
to reign exclusively over your majesty's heart ! "
" Come, come, sweetheart," interrupted Henry,. " do
not let us fall back upon past subjects, but tell me for I
ain dying to know what is the use of this delicately small
pencil ? Now, if I were good at guessing, I would venture
to ask if it were intended to trace out the arched brow of
my beautiful Charlotte ? "
" Your majesty has guessed most successfully ; 'tis even
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 205
as you say, for marking more perfectly the form of the eye-
brow/'
" Then reward my skill by explaining the purport of
this little ivory rake ? "
" To form a perfect and accurate division of the roots
of the hair."
" And this charming little silver box, with the lid so
elegantly wrought and embossed ? "
" That, sire, was sent to me from Rene ; it contains the
lip-salve so long promised by him, to embellish the lips
your majesty has ere now deigned to admire."
And, with a view to exhibit the cosmetic in question to
Henry, Charlotte took the little box containing it in her
hands, but, just as she was about to open it, a sudden
knocking at the door made the lovers start.
"Madame," said Dariole, introducing her head through
the curtains that hung before the entrance to the cham-
ber, "some one knocks."
" Go, see who it is, and return quickly," said her mistress.
During the absence of the confidante, Henry and Char-
lotte exchanged looks of considerable alarm ; the former
contemplating a hasty retreat to the oratory, which had
before now afforded him a safe hiding-place when similarly
surprised.
" Madame ! " cried Dariole, " 'tis Maltre Rene, the per-
fumer."
At this name, a frown darkened the brow of Henry, and
his lips were suddenly and involuntarily compressed.
" Shall I send him away ?" asked Charlotte.
" By no means," answered Henry ; " Maitre Rene is one
of those persons who do nothing without a motive ; his
coming hither is for some design or reason ; therefore ad-
mit him without hesitation."
" Will your majesty choose to conceal yourself ?"
" On no account," replied Henry ; "for Master Rene,
from whom nothing is hid, knows perfectly well of my
being here."
" But are there not reasons why his presence should be
unpleasant to your majesty ? "
206 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" No ! " answered Henry, vainly striving to conceal his
emotion, " none whatever ; 'tis true there was a coolness
between us ; but since the night of St. Bartholomew, we
have made up all our differences/'
" Show Maitre Rene in," said Madame de Sauve to
Dariole.
And the next instant Ren6 entered the chamber, cast-
ing around him a quick, searching glance, that took in
the assembled group as well as every trifling circumstance.
He found Madame de Sauve sitting before her toilet,
and Henry reclining on the sofa at the opposite end of the
room, so that while the full light fell upon Charlotte,
Henry remained in shadow.
" Madame,'* said Rene, with a sort of respectful freedom
" I come to offer my apologies to you."
" And wherefore, my good Ren6 ? " asked Madame de
Sauve, with that air of pleased coquetry with which a
pretty woman beholds the means of rendering her beauty
still more striking.
"For having thus long delayed fulfilling my promise
of inventing a fresh beautifier for those lovely lips
and "
" And for deferring the performance of that promise
until this very day ? that is what you mean, is it not, my
worthy Maitre Rene ?" inquired Charlotte.
"This day ?" repeated Rene.
" Yes, indeed, 'twas but this evening, not long since, I
received this box from you."
" Ah, truly : I had indeed forgotten it," said Ren 6,
gazing with a singular expression on the small box of lip-
salve lying on Madame de Sauve's toilet-table, and which
exactly resembled those in his shop ; " and may I inquire
whether you have yet made trial of it ? "
" Not yet : I was just about to do so when you entered. "
The countenance of Ren6 became thoughtful, a change
which did not escape the observation of Henry, whom, in-
deed, few things escaped.
"What ails you, Ren6 ?" inquired the king.
"Nothing, sire," answered Ren6. " I was but waiting
MAEGUERITE DE VALOIS. 207
till your majesty should dondescend to address me, ere I
took my leave of Madame la Baronne."
"Nay, nay," answered Henry, smilingly, "you need no
words of mine to assure yourself that I am always happy
to see you. What say you, Rene ? did you doubt
that ? "
Rene" glanced around him, and seemed as though
searchingly examining each nook and corner of the apart-
ment ; then, suddenly ceasing his survey, he so placed
himself as to bring both Madame de Sauve and Henry
within his gaze.
Warned by that admirable instinct which in Henry
formed almost a sixth sense, the king felt persuaded some
strange and conflicting struggle was going on in the mind
of the perfumer, and hastily turning round, so as to throw
his own features into shade, while those of the Florentine
were fully revealed, he said :
" By the way, what brings you here so late to-night,
MaitreRenS ?"
" Have I been so unfortunate as to disturb your majesty
by my visit ? " replied the perfumer, retreating backwards
to the door.
" Not in the least, I promise you ; but I should like to
know one thing."
" What is that, sire ? "
"Whether you expected to find me here ? "
" I was quite sure your majesty was nowhere else."
" You were seeking me, probably ? "
"I am at least very happy to have met your majesty."
"You have something to say to me ?" persisted Henry ;
" come, come, 'tis useless seeking to deny it."
" 'Tis possible I have somewhat to say to your majesty,"
said Rene.
Charlotte blushed, and a dread lest the revelation the
perfumer seemed tempted to make to Henry might relate
to her previous conduct towards the king, made her
desirous of cutting short the conversation ; feigning,
therefore, so entire an absorption in duties of her toilette
as not to have heard a word that had passed, she suddenly
208 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
broke in upon it by exclaiming, as she opened the box of
lip-salve :
' ' Ren6, you are a dear good man, to have made me this
beautiful ointment ; and, now I think of it, it will be an
excellent opportunity to make use of it while you are here,
that you may assist me with your valuable aid and direction
as to the right mode of employing it."
So saying, she dipped the tip of her finger in the ver-
milion paste, and was just about to raise it to her lips.
Ren6 shuddered, and half extended his arm to prevent
her. The hand of the baronne had almost touched her
lips.
Henry, concealed in deep shadow, marked well the action
of the one and the start of the other.
Ren6 became ghastly pale as the distance between the
finger of Charlotte and her lips was diminished to the
smallest possible space ; then suddenly springing forwards,
he arrested her arm at the very instant that Henry arose
with the same intention. The king instantly fell back on
the sofa, without the slightest noise.
"One moment, madame!" cried Ren6, with a forced
smile, "but this salve must not be used without very
particular directions."
" And who will supply me with these directions ? "
" I will."
" And when ? "
" Directly I have finished saying what I have to say to
his majesty the King of Navarre."
Charlotte opened her eyes with amazement at the
singular and mysterious conversation which was being
carried on without her understanding a word of its import,
and she continued in mute astonishment, holding the pot
of salve in one hand, and gazing on the extremity of the
finger tinged by the roseate ointment she had intended for
her lips.
Meanwhile, Henry arose, and moved by an idea which,
like all the thoughts of the young king, had two sides, the
one apparently superficial, and the other deep and profound,
went straight to Charlotte, and, taking her hand reddened
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 209
as it was with the ointment, feigned to be about to carry it
to his lips.
" Wait one minute ! " exclaimed Rene 1 , eagerly ; " but an
instant ! Be kind enough, madame, to wash your beautiful
hands with this Naples soap, which I quite forgot to send
when I sent the salve, but which I now have the honor
of presenting to you myself. "
And drawing from its silver envelope a cake of greenish
colored soap, he put it into a gilt basin, poured water
upon it, and bending one knee to the ground, he presented
the whole to Madame de Sauve.
" Why, really, Master Rene/' cried Henry, " your
gallantry quite astonishes me ; you put our court beaux
quite out of the field I"
" Oh, what a delicious odor ! " exclaimed Charlotte,
rubbing her fair hands with the pearly froth that arose
from the balmy soap.
Rene, unmoved by Henry's raillery, continued to fulfil
his self-imposed duties with the most rigorous exactitude :
putting aside the basin he had held, he presented Charlotte
with a towel of the most delicate texture, and when she had
thoroughly dried her hands, said :
" And now, my lord, you are at liberty to follow your
royal inclination.**
Charlotte held out her hand to Henry, who kissed it and
returned to his seat, more convinced than ever that some-
thing most extraordinary was going on in the mind of the
Florentine.
" Well ? " said Charlotte.
The Florentine appeared as though trying to collect all
his resolution, and after a short hesitation, turned, to wards
Henry,
210 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
CHAPTER XXII.
"SIRE, YOU WILL BE KING ! "
{t SIRE ! " said Rene to Henry, " I wish to speak to yon
on a matter which has for a long time occupied my atten-
tion."
"Of perfumes ?" asked Henry, with a smile.
" Well, yes, sire of perfumes," replied Rene, with a
singular tone of acquiescence.
" Well, then, speak on ; for it is a subject which has
much interested me."
Rene looked at the king, endeavoring to read his
thoughts, but they were impenetrable ; and seeing that
his scrutiny was unavailing, he continued :
" One of my friends, sire, has just arrived from Flor-
ence : this friend has devoted much of his time to astrol-
ogy."
" Yes," said Henry, " I know it is a Florentine pur-
suit."
" And he has, in association with the leading savants of
the world, drawn the horoscopes of the principal person-
ages in Europe."
" Indeed ! " said Henry.
"And as the house of Bourbon is amongst the leading
houses, descending, as it does, from the Comte du Cler-
mont, fifth son of Saint Louis, your majesty may well sup-
pose that yours has not been forgotten."
Henry listened still more attentively ; adding, with a
smile as indifferent as he could make it : " And do you
recollect this horoscope ? "
" Oh ! " answered Rene, shaking his head ; " your horo-
scope is one not easily forgotten."
" Really ! " said Henry, with an ironical look.
" Yes, sire ; your majesty, according to the indications
of this horoscope, is called to the most brilliant destiny."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 211
The eyes of the young prince emitted involuntarily a
lightning glance, and then as rapidly reassumed its look
of indifference.
"All these Italian oracles are flatterers,*' said Henry,
" and he who flatters, lies. Are there not some who say I
shall command armies ? "
And he burst into loud laughter. But an observer less
occupied than Ren6 would have marked and compre-
hended the effort this laugh had cost.
" Sire," said Rene, coolly, " the horoscope announces
better than that."
"Does it announce, that at the head of one of these
armies I shall gain battles ? "
"Better than that, sire."
" Well, then," said Henry, " at all events I shall be a
conqueror."
" Sire, you will be Icing !"
" Eh, ventre-saint-gris ! " said Henry, repressing a vio-
lent palpitation of the heart ; "am I not so already ?"
" Sire, my friend knows what he promises ; not only
will you be king, but you will reign."
"And then," said Henry, in the same strain of raillery,
"your friend requires ten golden crowns, does he not,
Rene ? for such a prophecy, in such times, is indeed an
ambitions one. Well, well, Rene, I am not rich, so I will
give your friend five at once, and the other five when the
prophecy shall be realized."
" Sire," said Rene, " allow me to proceed."
" What, is not that all ? " said Henry. " Well, if I am
an emperor, I will give double."
" Sire, my friend came from Florence with his horo-
scope, which he has renewed in Paris, and which gives
again the same result ; and he has confided the secret to
me."
"A secret that concerns his majesty ?" inquired Char-
lotte, eagerly.
" I believe so," replied the Florentine.
" Then say it," answered the Baroness de Sauve.
" What is it?"
DUMAS YOL. III. 10
212 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" It is," said the Florentine, weighing each of his worda
well ; " it is in reference to the reports of poisoning which
have been circulated for some time at court."
A slight expansion of the nostrils was the only indica-
tion which the King of Navarre exhibited of his increased
attention at the sudden change in the conversation.
" And does your friend, the Florentine," inquired the
king, " know anything of these poisonings ? "
" Yes, sire."
" How can you confide to me a secret which is not your
own, Rene ; and particularly when the secret is so impor-
tant ?" inquired Henry, in the most natural tone he could
assume.
" My friend has some advice to ask of your majesty."
"Of me?"
"What is there astonishing in this, sire ? When my
friend confided his secret to me, your majesty was the
first chief of the Calvinistic party, and M. de Conde the
second."
" Well ! " observed Henry.
"This friend hoped you would use your all-powerful
influence with the Prince de Conde to entreat him not to
be hostile towards him."
" Explain yourself, Ren6, if you would have me com-
prehend you," replied Henry, without manifesting the
least alteration in his features or voice.
" Sire, your majesty will comprehend at the first word ;
this friend knows all the particulars of the attempt to
poison Monseigneur the Prince de Cond6."
"What! did they attempt to poison the Prince de
Cond6 ? " exclaimed Henry, with well-acted surprise.
" Indeed ! and when was that ? "
Rene looked steadfastly at the king, and replied in
these words only :
"Eight days since, your majesty."
" Some enemy ?" inquired the king.
" Yes," replied Ren6 ; "an enemy whom your majesty
knows, and who knows your majesty."
" Yes, now I remember," said Henry j " I must have
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 213
heard talk of this, but I forget the details, which your
friend would disclose to me, you say."
"Well, a scented apple was offered to the Prince de
Conde, but fortunately his physician was there when it
was brought to him : he took it from the messenger, and
smelt it. Two days afterwards a gangrenous humor
formed in Iris-face ; then an extravasation of blood, and
then a cancerous sore which ate into his cheeks, were the
price of his devotion or the result of his imprudence."
"Unfortunately, being already half a Catholic," an-
swered Henry, " I have lost all my influence over M. de
Cond6, and therefore your friend would gain nothing by
addressing me."
" It was not only with M. de Conde that your majesty
might, by your influence, be useful to my friend, but
with the Prince de Porcian, brother of him who was
poisoned."
" What ! " observed the king, " do you also know the
details of the poisoning of the Prince de Porcian ?"
" Yes," was the reply. " They knew that he burnt
every night a lamp near his bed ; they poisoned the oil,
and he was stifled with the odor."
Henry clenched his moistened palms together with rage.
"Thus then," he replied, "he whom you term your
friend, knows not only the details of this poisoning, but
the author of it also ? "
" Yes ; and that is why he wished to ascertain from you,
if you had sufficient influence with the Prince de Porcian
to induce him to pardon the murderer of his brother ? "
"Unfortunately," replied Henry, " being still half Hu-
guenot I have no influence over the Prince de Porcian ; he
was wrong, therefore, to address me."
" But what do you think of the inclinations of the
Prince de Cond6 and M. de Porcian ?"
" How can I tell their inclinations, Rene ? God luis
not, that I know, given me the privilege of reading
hearts."
" Your majesty may ask yourself the question," said the
Florentine, calmly ; " has there not been in your majesty's
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
life some event so gloomy, that it may serve as an example
of clemency so painful, that it may be a touchstone for
generosity ? "
These words were pronounced in a tone that made
Charlotte shudder. The allusion was so direct, so mani-
fest, that the young lady turned aside to hide her flushed
face, and avoid Henry's look.
Henry made a powerful effort over himself, smoothed
his brow, which, during the Florentine's address, had been
heavy with menace, and changing the deep filial grief
which weighed upon his heart into an air of vague reflec-
tion, said :
" In my life a gloomy event ! no, Rene no ; I only
recollect the folly and recklessness of my youth mixed
with those fatalities, more or less cruel, which are in-
flicted on all the frailties of nature, and the trials of
God/'
Rene mastered himself, in his turn, and turned his
glance from Henry to Charlotte, as if to excite the one and
restrain the other for Charlotte, going towards her toilet
to conceal the feeling inspired by this conversation, again
extended her hand towards the box of salve.
" But if, sire, you were the brother of the Prince de
Porcian, or the brother of the Prince de Cond6, and
your brother had been poisoned, or your father assas-
sinated ? "
Charlotte uttered a cry, and again was about to apply
the salve to her lips. Rene saw this, but neither stopped
her by word nor gesture ; he only said, hastily :
" In the name of heaven, sire, reply ! Sire, if you were
in their place, what would yon do ? "
Henry collected himself ; wiped, with tremulous hand,
his forehead bedewed with drops of cold perspiration, and
elevating his figure to its full height, replied in the midst
of the breathless silence of Ren6 and Charlotte :
" If I were in their place, and were sure of being king
that is to say, of representing God on earth I would do
like God, and forgive I"
" Madame," exclaimed Rene, snatching the salve from
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 215
Madame de Sauve's hand ; " madame, give me that box !
I see my assistant made a mistake in bringing it to you ;
to-morrow I will send you another."
CHAPTER XXIII.
A NEW CONVEKT.
ON the following day there was to be a hunt in the forest
of St. Germain. Henry had desired that there should be
kept ready, at eight o'clock in the morning, saddled and
bridled, a small horse of the Beam breed, which he in-
tended as a present for Madame de Sauve, but which he
first intended to try himself. The horse was duly brought ;
and as the clock struck eight, Henry descended.
The horse, full of breed and fire, in spite of its small
size, was plunging about in the courtyard. It was cold,
and a slight hoar frost covered the ground.
Henry was about to cross the courtyard, in order to reach
the stables, where the horse and his groom were waiting,
when passing before a Swiss soldier, who was on guard at
the door, the sentinel presented arms to him, saying :
" God preserve his Majesty the King of Navarre ! "
At this wish, and particularly the accent and emphasis
of the voice that uttered it, the Bearnais started, and
retreated a step, muttering the words, " De Mouy ! "
" Yes, sire, De Mouy."
" And what are you doing here ?"
" Seeking you."
"What would you ?"
" I must speak to your majesty ! "
" Rash man ! " said the king, going close to him, " do
you know that you risk your head ? "
"I know it, and I am here."
Henry turned slightly pale, looked around him, and
retreated a second time no less quickly than before.
He saw the Due d'Alengon at a window.
216 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Then, changing his air, Henry took the musket from De
Mouy, and appeared to be examining it.
" De Mouy," he said, " it is some very powerful motive
that makes you come thus to throw yourself into the wolf's
throat."
" It is, sire, and for eight days I have been on the watch.
It was only yesterday I learned that your majesty meant to
try this horse this morning, and I took my post, accord-
ingly, at this door of the Louvre."
" Why under this costume ? "
" The captain of the company is a Protestant, and one
of my friends."
" Take your musket, and continue your guard. We are
watched. As I return, I will endeavor to say a word to
you ; but if I do not speak to you, do not stop me.
Adieu ! "
De Mouy resumed his measured tread, and Henry
advanced towards the horse.
"What is that pretty creature ?" inquired the Duke
d'Aleii9on, from his window.
"A horse I am going to try this morning."
" But it is not a man's horse."
"It is intended for a pretty woman."
"Be careful, Henry, or you will be indiscreet ; for we
shall see this pretty woman at the chase, and if I do not
know whose chevalier you are, I shall at least learn whose
esquire you may be."
" Eh, mon Dieu ! you will not know," said Henry, with
his wonted laugh, "for this pretty woman being very
unwell this morning, she cannot ride to-day." And he
sprung into the saddle.
'" Ah, bah ! " said D'Alen9on, laughing ; (t poor Madame
de Sauve ! "
" Fra^ois ! Francois 'tis you who are indiscreet."
"And what ails the lovely Charlotte ?" inquired the
duke.
" Why," answered Henry, " I hardly know. A kind
of heaviness in the head, as Dariole informed me a weak-
ness in all her limbs, a perfect languor."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 217
" And will that prevent you from accompanying us ? "
inquired D'AlenQon.
"Why should it?" was Henry's reply. "You know
how madly I love a hunt, and that nothing would make
me miss one."
" You will miss this, however, Henry," replied the
duke, as he turned round, and after having spoken an in-
stant with some one whom Henry could not see, " for
I learn from his majesty that the chase cannot take
place."
" Bah !" said Henry, with the most disappointed air in
the world ; " and why not ? "
" Very important letters have arrived from M. de N"evers,
and there is a council being held by the king, the queen-
mother, and my brother the Duke d'Anjou."
"Ah, ah ! " said Henry to himself, "is there any news
from Poland ? " Then he added, aloud : " In this case it
is useless for me to run any more risk on this slippery
ground. Au revoir ! brother." And pulling his horse up
short by de Mouy, " My friend," he said, " call one of
your comrades to finish your guard. Help the groom to
take the saddle off my horse, put it on your head, and
carry it to the goldsmith of the royal stable ; there is some
embroidery to do to it, which he had not time to finish.
You can bring me back his answer."
De Mouy hastily obeyed, for the Duke d'Alen9on had
disappeared from his window, and it was evident he had
conceived some suspicion. Scarcely, indeed, had the
Huguenot chief left the wicket than the duke appeared.
A real Swiss had taken De Mouy's place.
D'Aler^on looked attentively at the fresh sentinel, then,
turning to Henry :
" This is not the man with whom you were conversing
just now, is it, brother ? "
" The other was a young fellow of my house, for whom
I obtained a post amongst the Swiss. I gave him a com-
mission which he has gone to execute."
" Ah ! " said the Duke, as if satisfied with the answer 5
*' and how is Marguerite ? "
218 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" I am jnst going to inquire, brother."
" Haven't you seen her since yesterday ? "
"No. I went last night at eleven o'clock ; but Gil-
lonne told me she was much fatigued and asleep."
" You will not find her in her apartment. She has
gone out."
"Yes," replied Henry, "most likely. She was going
to the Convent of the Annonciade."
There was no means of pushing the conversation fur-
ther, as Henry appeared determined only to reply.
The two brothers-in-law then separated the Duke
d'Alengon to go and hear the news, as he said, and the
King of Navarre to return to his apartment.
At the moment the two brothers-in-law separated, some
one knocked at the door of Henry's sleeping apartment.
He opened the door, gave admittance to De Mouy, and
closed the door after him.
" Sire," said De Mony, " the time for action has ar-
rived. Fear nothing, sire we are alone ; and I will be
quick, for time is very precious. Your majesty may now,
by a single word, restore to us all that we have lost for our
holy religion during this disastrous year. Let us be ex-
plicit, let us be brief, let us be frank."
" I listen, my gallant De Mouy," replied the king, see-
ing that it was impossible any longer to avoid an explana-
tion.
" Is it true that your majesty has abjured the Protest-
ant religion ? "
" It is true," said Henry.
" Yes ; but is it an abjuration of the lips or of the
heart?"
" We are always grateful to God when he has saved our
life," replied Henry, not replying directly to the question ;
" and God has visibly spared me in a most cruel strait and
danger. "
. " But, sire," continued De Mouy, " confess that your
abjuration is not a matter of conviction but of calculation.
You have abjured that the king may let you live, and not
because God has spared your life."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Whatever may be the cause of my conversion, De
Mouy," answered Henry, " I am not the less a Catholic."
"Yes ; but shall you always continue one ? Should an
occasion present itself, would you not relapse ? Well, this
occasion presents itself at this moment : Rochelle is insur-
gent ; Roussillon and Beam only await the signal to act,
and in Ghiienne all is ripe for revolt. Only avow that you
were a Catholic on compulsion, and I will answer for all
the rest."
" My dear De Mouy, a gentleman of my birth is never
forced ; what I have done, I have done freely."
"But, sire," continued the young man, his heart op-
pressed at this unexpected resistance ; "you do not reflect
that in thus abandoning us, you betray us."
Henry remained perfectly unmoved.
" Yes," De Mouy continued ; "you betray us, sire ; for
very many of us have come, at the peril of our lives, to
save your honor and liberty. We have prepared everything
to give you a throne, sire ; not only liberty, but power ; a
throne for your acceptance ; for, in two months, you may
choose between France and Navarre."
" De Mouy," replied Henry, looking downwards for an
instant to conceal the joy that sparkled in his eyes ; " De
Mouy, I am safe ; I am a Catholic ; I am the husband of
Marguerite ; I am the brother of King Charles ; I am
son-in-law of my good mother Catherine ; and when, De
Mouy, I took all these relations upon me, I not only cal-
culated the chances, but also the obligations."
" But, sire," replied De Mouy, " what am I to believe ?
They say that your marriage is incomplete ; they say you
are free in your own heart ; they say that Catherine's
hatred "
" Lies, lies, lies all ! " interrupted the B6arnais, hast-
ily ; " you have been impudently deceived, my friend.
My dearest Marguerite is indeed my wife ; Catherine is
truly my mother ; the King Charles IX. is really the lord
and master of my life and of my heart."
De Mouy started, and a smile almost contemptuous
passed over his lips.
220 MARGUEEITE DE VALOIS.
" Then, sire," said he, endeavoring by his look to fathom
a mind so full of concealment ; " this is the answer I shall
bear to my brothers in arms. I shall say that the King of
Navarre extends his hand and gives his heart to those who
cut our throats ; I shall say that he has become the flat-
terer of the queen- mother, and the friend of Maurevel."
" My dear De Mouy," was Henry's response, " the king
is just breaking up the council ; and I must go and learn
what are the important reasons which have postponed the
hunt. Adieu ! imitate me, my friend : renounce politics,
swear allegiance to the king and take the mass." And
Henry led, or rather pushed, the young man to the door of
his antechamber, whilst De Mouy's amazement was fast
giving way to rage.
Scarcely was the door closed, than, unable to resist his
desire of visiting his vengeance on something for want of
somebody, De Mouy squeezed his hat between his hands,
threw it on the ground, and trampling it under foot, as a
bull does the cloak of a matador :
" S'death ! " he cried, "he is a cowardly prince, and I
have a great mind to kill myself on this very spot, that my
blood may forever stain him and his name."
" Hush ! M. de Mouy," said a voice which come from
behind a half -opened door ; " hush ! or someone else will
hear you besides myself."
De Mouy turned round suddenly, and perceived the
Duke d'Alen9on enveloped in his mantle, and thrusting
his pale face into the corridor to ascertain if he and De
Mony were really alone.
" The Duke d'Alen9on ! " cried De Mouy ; " then I am
lost !
"On the contrary," said the prince, in a subdued tone,
" yon have perchance found that which you have been
seeking ; and, in proof of this, I would not have you kill
yourself here, as yon propose. Believe me, your blood
may be better employed than in reddening the threshold
of the King of Navarre."
And, at these words, the duke opened wide the door of
the chamber which had been hitherto ajar.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 21
" This chamber belongs to two of my gentlemen," said
the duke ; " and no one will come to seek you here. So
we may converse at our ease. Come hither, then, sir."
" I am at your royal highness' service," said the amazed
conspirator, and he entered the chamber, the duke closing
the door after him quickly and securely.
De Mony entered, furious, enraged, and desperate ; but
gradually the cold and steady gaze of the young Duke
Fran9ois had the effect on the young Huguenot captain
that ice has upon intoxication.
"M. de Mouy," said Francois, "I thought I recognized
you in spite of your disguise, as you presented arms to my
brother Henry. What, De Mouy, are not you satisfied
with the King of Navarre ? "
" Monseigneur ! "
" Come, come ! speak frankly to me ; and perhaps you
may find I am your friend."
" You, Monseigneur ! "
"Yes, I ; but speak."
" I know not what to say to your highness ; what I had
to tell the King of Navarre touched on interests impossi-
ble to be understood by you ; besides," added De Mouy,
" it was about trifles after all."
" Trifles ! " exclaimed the duke.
" Yes, monseigneur."
" Trifles ! when for this you have exposed your life by
returning to the Louvre, when you well know your head
is worth its weight in gold ? For it is well known that
you, like the King of Navarre and the Prince de Conde,
are one of the principal leaders of the Huguenots."
" If you think so, monseigneur, act towards me as the
brother of Charles the king, and the son of Catherine, the
queen-mother, should act."
" Why would you have me act so, when I tell you I am
your friend ? Tell me but the truth, and "
"Monseigneur, I swear to yon "
" Do not swear, sir ; the Kef ormed religion forbids
oaths, and especially false oaths."
De Mouy frowned.
222 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" I tell you I know all," continued the dnke.
De Mouy was still silent.
" Do you doubt it ? " proceeded the prince, with earnest-
ness. " Well, then, my dear De Mouy, I must convince
you, and you will see if I speak sooth or not. Have you,
or not, proposed to my brother-in-law, Henry, there, just
now," and the duke extended his hand towards Henry's
apartments ; "your aid, and that of your allies, to re-es-
tablish him in his kingdom of Navarre ? "
De Mouy looked at the duke in amazement.
" Propositions which he refused in alarm "
De Mouy remained stupefied with surprise.
" Did you not, then, invoke your ancient friendship the
remembrance of your common religion ? Did you not,
then, seek to lure on the King of Navarre by a very brilliant
hope and prospect so brilliant that he was dazzled at it
the hope of attaining even the crown of France ? Eh ! am
I, or not, well informed ? Was it not this you came to
propose to the Bearnais ? "
" Monseigneur," exclaimed De Mouy, " it is so precisely
all that occurred, that I ask myself at this moment wheth-
er I ought not to say to your highness that you lie ! pro-
voke you in this very chamber to a combat, and seek in the
death of one of us the extinction of this terrible secret."
" Uently, my brave De Mouy, gently/' replied D'Alen9on
without changing countenance, or making the slightest
motion at this menace ; " this secret will be better kept be-
tween us two, if we both live, than if one of us were to die.
Listen to me, and do not thus grip the handle of your
sword ; for the third time I tell you, you are with a friend ;
reply, then as to a friend. Tell me, did not the King of
Navarre refuse your offers ? "
" He did, my lord, and I confess it because the avowal
can compromise no one but myself."
" And are you still of the same opinion you were when
you quitted my brother Henry's chamber, and said he was
a cowardly prince, and unworthy any longer to remain your
leader?"
" I am, monseigneur, and more so than ever."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 223
" Well, then, M. de Mouy, am I, the third son of Henry
II. I, a son of France am I good enough to command
yonr soldiers ? Let us see. Do you think me so loyal that
you rely on my word ? "
" You, monseigneur ! yon the chief of the Huguenots ? "
" Why not ? This is the epoch of conversions, as you
know, and if Henry has become a Catholic, why may not I
turn Protestant ? "
" Unquestionably, monseigneur ; but perhaps you will
explain to me "
" Nothing more simple ; I will unfold to you, in two
words, everybody's politics. My brother Charles kills the
Huguenots, that he may reign more absolutely. My
brother D'Anjou lets him kill them, that he may succeed
my brother Charles, and as you know, my brother Charles
is often ill. But I it is very different with me, who will
never reign over France ; at least, I have two elder brothers
before me ; with me, whom the hatred of my mother and
brothers, more even than the law of nature, alienates from
the throne with me, who see before me no family affec-
tion, no glory, no kingdom with me, who yet have a heart
as noble as my brothers ; and therefore I, De Mouy, would
fain cut myself out a throne with my sword in this France
which they are staining with gore ! And this is what I
would do, De Mouy listen : I would be King of Navarre,
not by right of birth, but by election ; and observe well,
you can have no objection to make me so, for I am no
usurper ; my brother refuses your offers, and buried in tor-
por, declares openly that this kingdom of Navarre is but
a fiction. With Henry of Beam, you have nothing now in
common ; with me you may have a sword and a name.
Fran9ois d'Alenc.on, son of France, can protect all his com-
panions or accomplices, as you may please to call them.
Well, then ! what say you to this offer, M. de Mouy ?"
" I say it perfectly bewilders me, monseigneur."
" De Mouy, De Mouy, we shall have many obstacles to
overcome ; do not, then, show yourself so scrupulous and
difficult with the son of a king, and the brother of a king,
who comes to you/'
224 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Monsefgneur, the thing should be done at once, if I
were the only person to decide ; but we have a council,
and how brilliant soever may be the offer, perhaps the
leaders will not accede to it without a condition."
" This is another consideration, and the reply is that of
an honest heart and a prudent mind. By the way in which
I have acted, De Mouy, you must see that I am frank and
honorable ; treat me, then, on your part, like a man you
esteem, and not a prince whom you would flatter. De
Mouy, have I any chance ? "
" On my word, monseigneur, and since your highness
desires to have my opinion, you shall have every chance,
since the King of Navarre refuses the offer I have just
made him. But I repeat to you, monseigneur, it is indis-
pensable that I have a consultation with our leaders."
" Of course, sir," was D'Alengon's reply; "only when
shall I have the answer ? "
De Mouy considered the prince with silent attention,
and then coming to a resolution, said :
" Monseigneur, give me your hand ; it is necessary that
the hand of a son of France should touch mine, to be sure
I shall not be betrayed."
The duke not only extended his hand to De Mony, but
seized his, and clasped it in his own.
" Now, monseigneur, I am assured," said the young
Huguenot ; " if we were betrayed, I should acquit yon of
all participation ; without which, monseigneur, however
little you were concerned in such treachery, you would
be dishonored."
" Why do you say that, De Mouy, before you have brought
me even the reply of your chiefs ? "
" Because, monseigneur, when you desire to know when
the answer shall be given, yon ask me in that question,
where our leaders are ; and if I replied, * This evening/
you would know that the chiefs were concealed in Paris."
And as he said these words, with a gesture of distrust,
De Mouy fixed his piercing eye on the face of the false and
vacillating young prince.
" What, you have still your doubts, De Mouy ; but yet
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 225
what right have I to your confidence at a first interview ?
You will know me better by and by. You 'say this eve-
ning, then, M. de Mouy ? "
" Yes, monseigneur, for time presses. This evening.
But where ? "
" Here, in the Louvre ; in this apartment, if that suits
yon."
" This apartment is occupied."
" By two of my gentlemen. "
" Monseigneur, it seems to me imprudent to return to
the Louvre/'
" Wherefore ? "
" Because others may recognize me as well as your high-
ness. Yet, if you will accord me a safe conduct, I will re-
turn to the Louvre."
" De Mouy/' replied the duke, "my safe conduct,
seized on your person, would destroy me, and would not
save you ; I cannot. The least evidence of concert between
us, before my mother or brothers, would cost me my life.
Make, therefore, another trial of your own courage. I
will guarantee your safety, and try on my word what yon
tried without my brother's word. Come to the Louvre
this evening,"
" But how ? "
" I think I see the means before me here."
And the duke saw on the bed La Mole's dress spread out
a magnificent cherry-colored cloak, embroidered with
gold, a hat with a white plume, surrounded by a string of
pearls, with gold and silver between them, and a gray
satin doublet worked with gold.
" Do you see this cloak, feather, and doublet ? " said
the duke. " They belong to M. de la Mole, one of my
gentlemen, and a fop of the first water. This dress creates
quite a sensation at court, and M. de la Mole is recognized
a hundred yards off when he wears it. I will give you his
tailor's address, and, by paying him double the value, he
will bring you a similar suit this evening. Kemember the
name M. de la Mole."
The duke had scarcely done speaking, when a step was
IS
226 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
heard of some one approaching, and a key was turned in
the lock of the door.
" Who's there ? " inquired the duke, hastening towards
the door, which he secured with a bolt.
"Pardieu!" replied a voice from without, "that
is a very odd question ; who are you ? It is rather pleas-
ant, i' faith, to come to one's own room, and be asked,
Who's there ? "
" Oh ! 'tis you, M. de la Mole ?"
" Of course it is. But who are you ? "
D'Alenqon turned round suddenly, and said to De Mouy,
" Do you know M. de la Mole ? "
" No, monseigneur."
" Does he know you ? "
"I should say, no."
" Then all will go well. Just appear to be looking out
of window."
De Mouy obeyed, and the duke opening the door, La
Mole entered hastily, but when he saw the duke he re-
treated, surprised, and saying :
" Monseigneur the duke ! Your pardon your pardon,
monseigneur ! "
" It needs not, sir ; I wished to see a person, and made
use of your apartment."
' ' Pray do, monseigneur. But allow me to take my cloak
and hat, for I lost both last night on the Quai de la Gre've."
" Keally ! You must have had an encounter with some
determined robbers, then ? "
The duke handed the young gentleman the desired
articles, and La Mole retired to dress himself in the ante-
chamber. On his return in a few moments :
" Has your highness heard or seen anything of the
Comte de Coconnas ? " he asked.
"No, M. le Comte ; and yet he should have been on
duty this morning."
"Then they have murdered him !" said La Mole to him-
self , as he made his obeisance and rushed out again.
The chrk4istened to his retreating footsteps, and then
opening the docH^ said to De Mouy :
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 227
" Look at him, and try to imitate his easy and peculiar
gesture."
" I will do my best," replied De Mouy ; " unfortunately,
I am not a fine gentleman, but only a soldier."
" I shall expect you before midnight, here, or in some
unoccupied apartment. To-night before midnight."
" To-night before midnight ! "
" Ah ! apropos De Mouy, swing your right arm as you
walk : it is a peculiarity of M. de la Mole."
CHAPTEK XXIV.
THE KITE TIZOIST AND THE RUE CLOCHE-PEKClE.
LA MOLE ran out of the Louvre, and went in search of
poor Coconnas.
First he went to the Rue de 1'Arbre-Sec, to Maitre la
Huriere ; but he found nothing there but breakfast, to
which, despite his inquietude, he did ample justice.
His appetite appeased, La Mole went along the Seine.
Arrived at the Quai de la Greve, he recognized the spot
where he had been stopped three or four hours before, and
found on the field of battle a fragment of his hat-plume.
La Mole had ten feathers, each handsomer than the other ;
he stopped, nevertheless, to pick up this, or rather the
only fragment that remained of it, and was looking at it
with a piteous air, when an authoritative voice bade him
stand aside. La Mole looked up, and perceived a litter,
preceded by two pages, and followed by a squire. La
Mole thought he recognized the litter, and stood on one
side.
He was not mistaken.
44 M, de la Mole ? " said a sweet voice from the litter,
whilst a hand, white and soft as satin, put aside the cur-
tains.
" Yes, 'tis I myself, madame," replied La Mole, boAving.
228 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" M. de la Mole, with a plume in his hand ? " said the
lady. " Are you in love, then, and seek here lost traces of
your mistress ? "
" Yes, madame," returned La Mole, " I am in love, and
to desperation. As for these relics, they are my own,
though not those I seek. But permit me to inquire after
your majesty's health."
" Excellent never better ; probably from the circum-
stance of my having passed the night in a convent."
" Ah, in a convent ! " said La Mole, looking at Marguerite
with a singular expression.
" Yes ; what is there so astonishing in that ?"
" May I venture to inquire, in what convent ?"
" Certainly ; I make no mystery of it : at the convent
of the Annunciation. But what are you doing here, with
so wild an air ?"
" Madame, I am looking for a friend ; and in his place
I find this plume."
" Which belongs to him ? You really alarm me for
him ; the spot has an ill name."
" Your majesty may be reassured ; the plume is mine :
I lost it here this morning, at about half-past five, in
escaping from four bandits who attacked me."
Marguerite suppressed an exclamation of terror.
" Oh, tell me all about it ! "
" A simple matter, madame. It was as I said, about
half past five "
" And at half-past five you were already out ? "
" Nay, madame, I had not yet gone home."
" Ah ! " said Marguerite, with a smile that to every one
else would have seemed malicious, but which La Mole
thought adorable ; " returning home so late ! You are
rightly served."
"I do not complain, your majesty," said La Mole ;
" and had 1 been killed, I should have thought myself
far happier than I merit. But as I was returning, four
scoundrels rushed on me, armed with long knives, and I
was fain to fly, for T had left my sword in the house where
I had passed the night."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 229
" Oh, I understand," said Marguerite, with an exquisite
air of simplicity ; "you are going to fetch your sword."
La Mole looked at Marguerite, doubtingly :
"Madame," said he, "I should be glad to return
thither, for my sword is an excellent blade ; but I do not
know where the house is."
" What ! " said Marguerite, " you do not know where
the house is ? "
" No ; Satan exterminate me, if I have the least idea."
" How very strange ! Quite a romance, upon my word."
t( Quite so, madame."
" Eelate it to me."
" It is somewhat long."
" No matter, I have plenty of time."
" And very incredible."
" Go on, I am excessively credulous."
" Your majesty commands me ? "
''Yes, if necessary."
" I obey : last night we supped at Maitre la Huriere's."
"First and foremost," asked Marguerite, with a beauti-
ful simplicity, " who is Maitre la Hurie're ? "
" Maitre la Huri^re, madame," answered La Mole, with
another look of doubt at the Queen, "is the landlord of
the Belle Etoile, in the Eue de 1'Arbre-Sec."
"Ah, I understand ; well, you were supping at La Hu-
riere's with your friend Coconnas, no doubt ?"
" Yes, madame, with my friend Coconnas ; when a
man entered, and gave each of us a billet."
"Alike ?"
" Exactly."
" And which contained "
" But one line :
" ' You are waited for in the Rue Saint Antoine, oppo-
site the Rue de Jouy.'"
11 And no signature ? "
" None, but three words, three delicious words that
promised a triple happiness."
" And what were these three words ? "
'* EEOS, CUPIDO, AMOR."
230 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Three soft, pretty names, by my faith ; and did they
fulfil what they promised ? "
" Oh, yes, madam e," cried La Mole, with enthusiasm,
"a hundred-fold ! "
" Continue. I am anxious to know what awaited yon at
the Eue Saint Antoine."
" Two duennas, who stipulated that our eyes should be
bandaged. Your majesty may imagine we made no great
difficulty. My guide led me to the right, my friend's led
him to the left."
" And then ? " asked Marguerite.
" I do not know where they took my friend ; perhaps
to the infernal regions/' said La Mole ; " but I was taken
to Paradise. "
" And whence your too great inquisitiveness no doubt
got you expelled/'
" Exactly so : your majesty has the gift of divination.
I waited until day should come to show me where I was,
when the duenna entered, blindfolded me again, and led
me away, out of the house, and some hundred paces on,
and then made me promise not to take off the bandage till
I had counted fifty. I counted fifty, and then, on taking
off the handkerchief found myself in the Eue St. Antoine,
opposite the Eue de Jouy. On returning here, just now, I
perceived a fragment, of my plume, which I shall preserve
as a precious relic of this glorious night. But amidst my
happiness, one thing disquiets me : what can have become
of my friend ? "
" He is not at the Louvre, then ? "
" Alas, no ; and I have sought him at the Belle Etoile,
at the tennis court, and everywhere, but there is no Anni-
bal to be found/'
As he said this, and accompanied his lamentation by
throwing up his arms La Mole disclosed his doublet,
which was torn and cut in several places.
" "Why, you have been completely riddled ! " said Mar-
guerite.
" Eiddled that is the exact word," said La Mole, not
sorry to make the most of the danger he had incurred.
MAEGUERITE DE VALOIS. 231
" Why did you not change your doublet at the Louvre,
when you got back ? "
" Why," said La Mole, " because there was some one in
my chamber."
" How, some one in your chamber ? " said Marguerite,
whose eyes expressed the greatest astonishment. " Who ? "
" His highness "
" Hush ! " said Marguerite.
The young man obeyed.
" Qui ad lecticam meam stant ?" (" Who are with the
litter ? ")
"Duo pueri et unus eques." ("Two pages and a
groom ? ")
" Optim barbari," said she. " Die, Moles, quern inve-
nerisin cubiculo tuo ?" (" Good , they won't understand
us. Tell me, La Mole, whom did you find in your cham-
ber ?")
"Franciscum ducem." (" Duke Francis.")
" Agentem." (" What was he doing ?")
" Nescio quid." (" I don't know.")
" Quo cum ? " (" Who was with him ? ")
" Cum ignoto." ("A man I don't know.")
" Singular," said Marguerite. " So you have not found
Coconnas ? "
" No, madame, and I am dying with anxiety."
" Well," said Marguerite, " I will not further delay
your search ; but I have an idea he will be found before
long. But nevertheless, go and look for him."
And the queen placed her finger on her lip. Now, as
Marguerite had not communicated any secret to La Mole,
he comprehended that this charming sign must have
another meaning.
The cortege pursued its way ; and La Mole proceeded
along the quay, till he came to the Eue du Long- Pont,
which took him into the Rue Saint Antoine.
He stopped opposite the Rue de Jouy.
It was there, the previous evening, that the duennas had
blindfolded Coconnas and himself ; he well remembered he
had turned to the right and counted twenty paces ; he did
232 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
so again, and fotmd himself opposite a house, or rather a
wall, with a house in it : in the middle of the wall was a
door studded with large nails.
The house was in the Rue Cloche-Percee, a little narrow
street that commences in the Eue St. Antoine, and ends
in the Rue du Roi-de-Sicile.
" Sanglleu! " said La Mole. " This is it : as I left the
house, I touched the nails, and as I descended the second
step, that man who was killed in the Rue du Roi-de-Sicile,
passed, crying for help."
La Mole knocked at the door. A porter with a vast
mustache opened it.
" Was est dass ?" said he. (" What's that ? ")
" Ah, " said La Mole to himself, "we are German, it
seems. My friend," continued he, "I want my sword,
which I left here last night."
" Ich verstehe nicht," said the porter. ("I don't un-
derstand you.")
" My sword "
"Ich verstehe nicht."
" That I left "
" Ich verstehe nicht."
" In this house, where I passed the night.
"Gehe zum Teufel." (" Go to the devil !")
And he shut the door in his face.
" Mordieu ! " said La Mole, " had I my sword, I would
pass it through your body."
La Mole then struck into the Rue du Roi-de-Sicile,
turned to the right, counted fifty paces, turned to the
right again, and found himself in the Rne Tizon, a little
street parallel with the Rue Cloche-Percee, and exactly
like it. Scarcely had he taken thirty steps when he found
the little door studded with nails, the narrow loopholes,
the two steps and the wall.
La Mole then reflected that he might have mistaken his
right for his left, and he knocked at this door, but spite of
his reiterated attempts, no one came. He walked round
the same way several times, and then arrived at the nat-
ural conclusion, that the house had two entrances, one in
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 233
the Rue Tizon, the other, Rue Cloche-Percee. But this
logical reasoning did not give him back his sword, or his
friend.
He had for an instant an idea of purchasing another
rapier, and pinking the porter ; but he was checked by the
reflection, that if he belonged to Marguerite, she, doubt
less, had her reasons for selecting him, and would be vexed
were she deprived of him.
Now La Mole would not for the world have done any-
thing to vex Marguerite.
To avoid the temptation, he returned to the Louvre.
This time his apartment was empty ; and being in no
small haste to change his pourpoint, which was somewhat
dilapidated, he hastened to the bed to take down his fine
gray satin doublet, when, to his intense amazement, he
saw hanging beside it the identical sword he had left in the
Rue Cloche-Percee. He took it and examined it : it was
indeed the same.
"Ah, ah I" said he, "there is some magic in this."
Then, with a sigh : " Ah, if Coconnas would come back
like this sword ! "
Two or three hours afterwards, the door in the Rue Tizon
opened. It was five o'clock, and consequently dark.
A female enveloped in a long furred mantle, accom-
panied by a servant, came out of the door, glided rapidly
into the Rue du Roi-de-Sicile, knocked at a little door of
the Hotel D'Argeuson, entered the hotel, left it again by
the great gate that opens into the Vieille Rue du Temple,
reached a private door of the Hotel de Guise, opened it
with a pass-key, and disappeared.
Half an hour afterwards, a young man, his eyes ban-
daged, came out of the same door of the same house, led by
an old woman, who took him to the corner of the Rue
Geoffroy-Lasnier and De la Mortellerie. There she bade
him count fifty paces, and then take off the handker-
chief.
The young man complied scrupulously with these di-
rections, and at the prescribed number took off the ban-
234 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Mordi "! cried he, " I'll be hanged if I know where 1
am ! Six o'clock ! Why, where can La Mole be ? Ill
run to the Louvre ; I shall perhaps hear of him there."
So saying, Coconnas started off, and arrived at the
Louvre in less time than a horse would have performed the
distance.
He questioned the Swiss and the sentinel. The Swiss
thought he had seen M. de la Mole go out, but he had not
seen him return. The sentinel had only been on guard an
hour and a half, and had seen nothing.
Coconnas ascended the stairs, entered La Mole's room,
and found nothing but his torn doublet, which redoubled
his anxiety.
He then betook himself to La Huriere's. La Huri&re
had seen M. la Mole M. de la Mole had breakfasted there.
Reassured by these tidings, Coconnas ordered supper,
which occupied him until eight o'clock, when, recruited
by a good meal and two bottles of wine, he again started in
search of his friend.
For an hour Coconnas traversed the streets near the Quai
de la Rdve, the Rue St. Antoiue, and the Rues Tizon and
Cloche-Percee.
At last he returned to the Louvre, determined to watch
under the gate there until La Mole's return.
He was not a hundred paces from the Louvre, and was
assisting a female to rise, whose husband he had upset just
before, when, by the light of a large lamp, he perceived
the cherry- velvet mantle and white plume of his friend,
which, like a ghost, disappeared beneath the portal of the
Louvre.
The cherry-colored mantle was too well known to be for
an instant mistaken.
" Mordi ! " cried Coconnas ; " it is he at last ! Eh, La
Mole ! Why does he not answer ? Fortunately my legs
are as good as my voice."
He dashed after Cherry Mantle, but only in time to see
him, as he entered the court, disappear in the vestibule.
" La Mole !" cried Coconnas ; " stop ! stop ! why are
you in such haste ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 235
Cherry Mantle mourted the second story as if he had
wings.
" Ah, you are angry with me. Well, I can go no further."
Coconnas ceased the pursuit, but followed with his eyes
the fugitive, who now arrived at the apartments of the
Queen of Navarre : suddenly, a female appeared, and took
Cherry Mantle by the hand.
" Oh/' said Coconnas, " that's Queen Marguerite ; now
I know why he would not wait."
After a few whispered words, Cherry Mantle followed
the queen into her apartments.
" Good ! " said Coconnas. "There are times when
your best friend is in the way : this is one, and I'll not
interrupt the old fellow."
So Coconnas sat down on a bench covered with velvet.
" I'll stop here for him or stay, he's with the queen, and
I may stop long enough. It's confounded cold here, and
I may just as well wait for him in his room ; he must
come there at last."
At this moment he heard a quick step 011 the stairs
above, and a voice singing a little air so usual in La Mole's
mouth that Coconnas looked up. It was La Mole himself,
who perceiving the Piedmontese, ran down the stairs four
at a time, and threw himself into his arms.
" Mordi ! here you are ! " said Coconnas. " Which
way did you come out ? "
" Why, by the Rue Cloche- Percee."
" No. I don't mean there."
"Whence then ?"
" From the queen."
" From the qneen ! "
" Aye, from the queen."
" I have not been with her."
" Come ! come ! "
" My dear Annibal," said La Mole, " I've this instant
left my room, where I've been awaiting for you these two
hours."
" You've just left your room ?"
"Yes."
DUMAS VOL. III. 11
236 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" It was not you I ran after from the Place du Louvre ? "
"When ?"
" Just now."
" No."
" It wasn't you that disappeared under the gateway ten
minutes ago ? "
"No."
"It wasn't you that dashed up the stars as if the devil
was after you ? "
"No."
" Mordi ! " replied Coconnas. " The wine of la Belle
Etoile has not turned my head to that extent. I tell you,
I saw your mantle and white plume enter the Louvre ; that
I followed the one and the other to the bottom of this
staircase, and then saw the said mantle and plume led by
a lady into that room, which I believe is Madame Mar-
guerite's."
" Mordieu ! " exclaimed La Mole, turning very pale.
" Can there be treachery already ! "
" Ah, swear as much as you like," returned Coconnas,
"but don't tell me I was mistaken."
La Mole hesitated an instant, and then, carried away
by his jealousy, rushed to the queen's door, and knocked
furiously.
" You'll get us both arrested," said Coconnas, " Mordi f
do you think there are ghosts at the Louvre, La Mole ? "
"I do not know," said the young man; "but I've
always wanted to see one, and would fain find myself face
to face with this ghost, if ghost he be."
"Very good," said Coconnas; "but don't knock so
loud, or you'll alarm the lady."
Enraged as La Mole was, he yet saw the justice of this
observation ; and though he continued to knock knocked
less violently.
MARGUERITE DE VALOI& 237
CHAPTEE XXV.
CHEERY MANTLE.
was not deceived. The lady who had stopped
the cavalier in the cherry mantle, was indeed the Queen
of Navarre ; the cavalier in the cherry mantle was, as our
readers have doubtlessly guessed, no other than De Mouy.
On recognizing the Queen of Navarre, the young man
saw there was some mistake, but he feared to say anything,
lest a cry from the queen should betray him. He therefore
suffered himself to be led into the apartment, resolved,
once there, to say to his fair guide, " Silence for silence,
madame."
Marguerite had gently pressed the arm of him whom, in
the darkness, she mistook for La Mole, and whispered in
his ear, in Latin :
" I am alone ; come in, dearest."
De Mouy entered in silence ; but scarcely was he in the
antechamber, and the door closed, than Marguerite per-
ceived that it was not La Mole, and she then uttered that
very cry which the prudent Huguenot had dreaded.
" M. de Mony ! " cried she.
" Myself, madame/' returned the young man ; "and I
entreat your majesty to suffer me to proceed, without in-
forming any one of my presence at the Louvre."
" Oh, M. de Mouy," said the queen, " I was mistaken,
then."
" Yes, so I comprehend," returned De Mouy; "your
majesty mistook me for the King of Navarre. My dress
is the same as his, and my height and figure, I have been
told, are not unlike his."
Marguerite looked fixedly at him.
" Do yon know Latin ? " asked she.
" I did once, but I have forgotten it, w replied the young
man.
238 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Marguerite smiled.
" You may rely upon my discretion, M. de Mouy ; and
as I think I know the person you seek, I will, if you so
please, conduct you to him."
" Madame/' replied De Mony, " I see that you are mis-
taken, and that you are completely ignorant who the per-
son is that I wish to see."
" What ! " cried Marguerite, " is it not the King of
Navarre you seek ? "
" Alas, madame, it is with regret I have to beseech you
to conceal my presence in the Louvre from the king your
husband."
" M. de Mouy," said Marguerite, "I have always con-
sidered you one of the steadiest partisans of my husband,
one of the most zealous Huguenot leaders. Am I, then,
mistaken ? "
" No, madame, for I was, up to this morning, all that
you say."
' ' And why have you changed ? "
" Madame," returned De Mouy, " I entreat you to ex-
cuse my replying, and to receive my adieu."
And De Mouy firmly, but respectfully, proceeded to-
wards the door.
Marguerite stopped him.
*' Yet, sir,'" said she, " I would fain request an explana-
tion."
" Madame," returned De Mouy, " my duty bids me be
silent ; I need hardly say, that duty is an imperious one
which prevents my obeying your majesty."
" Yet, sir "
"Your majesty can ruin me, but you cannot require me
to betray my new friends."
" Have your old friends no claims on you ? "
" Those who have remained faithful, yes ; those who
not only have abandoned us, but themselves also, no."
Marguerite, greatly uneasy, was about to pursue her
interrogatories, when Gillonne rushed in-
" The King of Navarre, madame 1 "
" Which way is he coming ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 239
"By the secret passage/'
" Then let this gentleman out by the other door."
" Impossible, madame, someone is knocking there/'
< ' Who is it ? "
" I da not know."
" Go and see."
" Madame," said De Mouy, "permit me to observe, that
I am lost if the King of Navarre sees me in the Louvre at
this hour and in this costume."
Marguerite seized his hand, and leading him to the
famous cabinet :
"Enter there," said she ; "you are as safe as in your
own house, for you are under my protection."
De Mouy sprang in, and hardly had he done so, when
Henry appeared.
He entered with that cautious observation that made
him, even when in the least danger, remark the most
trifling circumstances. He instantly perceived the cloud
on Marguerite's brow.
" You were musing, madame," said he.
"Yes, sire, I was."
"You are right, madame, thoughtfulness becomes you.
I, too, was musing, and come to communicate my thoughts
to you."
Marguerite inclined her head in token of welcome, and
pointing to a seat, placed herself in an ebony chair beauti-
fully carved.
There was an instant's pause : Henry first broke the
silence.
" I remembered, madame," said he, " that my dreams
as to the future had this in common with yours, that,
though separated as husband and wife, we yet wished to
unite our fortunes."
"It is true, sire."
" I also conjecture that in all my plans for our common
elevation, I should find in you not only a faithful but an
active ally."
" Yes, sire, and I only ask to have an early opportunity
of proving it to you."
240 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" I am delighted to find you so well disposed ; and I be-
lieve you have not for an instant doubted that I have lost
sight of those plans I resolved upon the day that, thanks
to your courage, my life was saved. "
" Sire, I see that your indifference is merely a mask,
and I have confidence not only in the predictions of astrol-
ogers, but also in your genius."
" What should you say, then, were some one to come in
in and thwart our plans, and threaten to destroy our
hopes ? "
" I would reply, that I am ready to strive with you,
openly or in secret, against him, be who he may."
" Madame," returned Henry, " you have the right of
entering the Duke d'Alen9on's apartments at all times.
Might I request of you to go and see if he be not in con-
ference with some one."
" With whom ? " asked Marguerite.
" With De Mouy."
" Why ?" replied Marguerite.
" Because if it be so, adieu all our plans."
" Speak lower, sire," said Marguerite, pointing to the
cabinet.
" Some one there again," said Henry. " By my faith,
that cabinet is so often occupied, that it renders your
apartments quite uninhabitable."
Marguerite smiled.
" At all events, I hope it is M. de la Mole, still ? " said
Henry.
" No, sire ; it is M. de Mouy."
" De Mouy ! " cried Henry, joyfully. " He is not,
then, with the Duke d'Alengon. Oh, let me speak to
him."
Marguerite ran to the cabinet, and without further cere-
mony presented De Mouy to the king.
" Ah, madame," said the young Huguenot, reproach-
fully, "you have not kept your promise. Suppose I were
to revenge myself by saying "
"You will not avenge yourself, my dear Mouy," said
Henry, pressing his hand ; " at least, not before you have
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 243
" It is true," said De Moiiy.
"1 was sure/' replied the king, "that D'Alen9on had
got hold of you."
" It is your fault, sire. Why did you refuse so ob-
stinately what I offered."
" Ah, you refused ! " said Marguerite. " My presenti-
ments, then, were real."
" Madame," said Henry, " and you, my worthy De
Mouy, you make me smile. What ! a man comes to me,
and talks to me of thrones and revolutions, and overthrow-
ing states to me, Henry, a prince tolerated only because I
humble myself ; a Huguenot, spared only because I pretend
to be a Catholic ; and thinks I am going to accept his
propositions, made in a chamber without double panels,
and not lined with mattresses. You are children, or
mad ! "
" But, sire, your majesty might have given me some sign,
to raise our hopes."
"What did my brother-in-law say to you, De Mouy ?"
asked Henry.
" Oh, sire, that is not my secret."
" Oh, mon Dieu! " said Henry, impatient at having to
deal with a man who did not understand him. " I do not
ask you what proposals he made you. I only asked you if
he had listened, and if he had overheard ? "
"He had listened, sire, and he had overheard."
" He listened and overheard ! you admit that yourself.
Poor conspirator that you are ! Had I spoken a word, you
had been undone ; for, if I did not absolutely know he
was there, I suspected as much ; and if not he, some one
else D'Anjou, the king, or the queen-mother. The walls
of the Louvre have good ears ; and, knowing that, do you
think I should speak ? I wonder you offer a crown to the
King of Navarre, when you give him credit for so little
good sense."
" But, sire," said De Mouy, "'had you made me a sign,
I should not have lost all hope."
" Eh, ventre-saint-gris I " cried Henry. " If he listened.,
could he not see also ? At this very instant I dread lest
244 MARGUERITE DE VALOI8.
we may be overheard, when I say to you, De Mouy, repeat
to me your proposals/'
"Sire," said De Mouy, mournfully, " I am now engaged
with M. d'Alen9on."
Marguerite beat her fair hands together violently.
" It is, then, too late/' said she.
" On the contrary," said Henry, " the hand of Provi-
dence is visible in this ; for the duke will save us all ; he
will be a buckler protecting us ; whereas the name of the
King of Navarre would involve you all, by degrees, in
destruction. Get fast hold of him ; secure proofs ; but,
silly politician that you are, you have doubtless engaged
yourself already, without using any precautions."
" Sire," cried De Mouy, " despair made me join his
party, and fear also, for he held our secret."
" Then hold his in your turn. What does he want ?
the kingdom of Navarre ? Promise it him. To quit the
court ? Supply him with the means. When the time comes
for us to fly, he and I will fly together : when it is time to
reign, I will reign alone."
" Distrust the duke," said Marguerite ; " he is alike
incapable of hatred and friendship ; ever ready to treat his
enemies as friends, and his friends as enemies."
"He awaits you?" said Henry, without heeding his
wife's remark.
"Yes, sire."
"At what hour ?"
"Until midnight."
" It is not yet eleven," said Henry ; " you are not too
late, De Mouy."
" We have your word, sir," said Marguerite.
" Come, come," said Henry, with that air of confidence
he so well knew how to show to certain persons and on
certain occasions ; "with M. de Mouy this is needless."
" You do me justice, sire," returned the young man.
" But I must have your word that I may tell our leaders
that I have received it. You are not, then, a Catholic P"
Henry shrugged his shoulders.
" You do not renounce the kingdom of Navarre ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 245
" I do not renounce any kingdom, only I would select
that which suits you and me the best."
" And, in the meantime, were your majesty to be ar-
rested, and they should dare so to violate the regal dignity
as to torture you, will you swear to reveal nothing ?"
' De Mouy, I swear it."
" One word, sire. How shall I see you ?"
" From to-morrow yon will have a key of my chamber,
and you can come in when you will. The duke must ex-
plain your presence at the Louvre. I will now guide you
up the private staircase ; meantime, the queen will bring
in here the other cherry mantle, who was just now in the
antechamber. It must not be supposed you are double ;
eh, De Mouy ? eh, madame ?"
Henry laughed as he said this, and looked at Margue-
rite.
" Yes/' replied she, without any emotion ; " for you
know this M. de la Mole is one of the gentlemen of the
Duke D'Alenqon."
" Try and get him to our side, then," said Henry, with
entire gravity : " spare neither gold nor promises ; I place
all my treasures at his disposal."
" Well, then," said Margnerite, with one of those smiles
that belong only to Boccaccio's heroines, "since such is
your desire, I will do my best to promote it."
" Very good, madame ; and now to the duke, De Mouy,
and hook him."
CHAPTER XXVI.
MARGUERITE.
DURING this conversation, La Mole and Coconnas re-
mained on guard ; the former marvelously vexed, and Co-
connas somewhat uneasy, for La Mole had had time for
reflection, and Coconnas had most liberally assisted him
in it.
"' What do you think of all this ? " asked La Mole.
246 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"I think," replied the Piedmontese, "that it is some
intrigue of the court."
" And are you disposed to play a part in it ? "
" My dear fellow ! " returned Coconnas, " listen to what
I shall say, and give heed thereunto. In all these royal
maneuverings we are, and should be, but shadows : where
the King of Navarre would only lose the end of his feather,
or the Duke d'Alenqon the skirt of his cloak, you and I
should lose our lives. Go crazy in love, if you please, but
do not meddle in politics."
"But I love the queen, Annibal ; I love her with all my
soul ; 'tis folly, -I admit ; but you, Coconnas, who are
prudent, must not suffer by my folly. Seek our master,
and do not compromise yourself."
Coconnas reflected an instant, then, shaking his head :
"My dear fellow!" said he, "what you say is very
just ; you are in love, and you act like a lover ; I am am-
bitious, and think life worth more than the smile of a wo-
man. When I risk my life, I will make my own terms,
and do you, on your part, do the same."
So saying, Coconnas pressed La Mole's hand, and left him.
About ten minutes after, the door opened cautiously,
and Marguerite appeared. Without speaking a word, she
led La Mole into her apartment, closing the doors with a
care that showed the importance of the conversation she
was about to open.
Arrived in her chamber, she sat down in her ebony chair,
and taking La Mole's hands in hers :
"Now that we are alone, my friend," said she, "we
will talk seriously."
"Seriously, madame ?" said La Mole.
" Or confidentially, if you like the word better. There
may be serious things in confidential conversations, es-
pecially in those of a queen."
" Let us speak seriously, then ; but on condition that
your majesty be not offended with what I shall say."
"I shall only be offended at one thing, La Mole, and
that is, if you call me ' madame ' or * your majesty ; ' for
you, I am only Marguerite."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 247
" Yes, Marguerite ! yes, Marguerite ! " cried the
young man, gazing passionately at the queen.
" That is well," said Marguerite ; " and so you are jeal
ous, my fair sir ? "
Oh, madly ! "
Ah ! and of whom ? "
" Of every one."
" But of whom in particular ?"
" First, of the king."
" I thought, after what you had seen and heard, you
were easy on that score."
" Of this M. de Mouy, whom I saw this morning for the
first time, and whom I find this evening on such intimate
terms with you."
" And what makes you jealous of De Mony ? "
" I recognized him by his air, his figure ; by a natural
feeling of hate : it is he who was with M. d'Alen9ou this
morning."
" Well, what has he to do with me ? "
" That I know not. But in default of any other return,
a love like mine is entitled to frankness on your part.
See, madame, at your feet I implore you ! If what you
have felt for me is but a temporary inclination, I give you
back your faith and your promises ; I will resign my post
to M. d'Alen9on, and go and seek death at the siege of
Rochelle, if love does not kill me before I arrive there ! "
Marguerite listened with a smile to these tender re-
proaches, then, leaning her head on his burning hand :
" You love me ?" she said.
" Oh, yes, madame, more than life ! But you do not
love me."
" Silly fellow !" murmured she ; "and so the sole in-
terest of life with you is your love ?"
"It is, indeed, madame."
" You love me, then, and would fain remain with me ?"
" My only prayer is, that I may never part from yon."
" Were 1 to tell you I love you, should you be wholly
devoted to me ? "
" Am I not so already ? "
248 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"Yes ; but you still doubt."
" Oh, I am an ingrate, or rather, I am mad ; but tell
me, why was M. de Mouy this morning with the Duke
d'Alen9on ? why here to-night ? what meant the white
plume, the cherry-colored mantle, the imitating my walk
and manner ? "
" Can you not guess ! The Duke d'Alenc.on would kill
you with his own hand, did he know you were here at my
feet ; and that, instead of ordering you to quit my pres-
ence, I said to you then as I now say, stay where you are,
for I love you."
"All gratitude to you for the word," murmured La Mole.
" Listen/' continued the queen; "it was not for me
that M. de Mouy came here in your hat and cloak ; it was
for M. d'Alen9on ; but I mistook him for you ; I spoke to
him, thinking it was you ; I led him hither, thinking it
was you. He possesses our secret, La Mole, and must be
managed cautiously."
" I had rather kill him," said La Mole ; " 'tis the short-
est and safest way."
"And I," said the queen, "had rather he should live,
and that you should know all. Now answer me truly, La
Mole ; do you love me enough to rejoice if I were to be-
come really queen ? "
" Alas, madame," said La Mole, " I love you enough to
desire whatever you desire, though it involved myself in
utter misery ! "
" Will you, then, aid me to realize this object ? "
" Oh, I shall lose you ! " cried La Mole, burying his face
in his hands.
" No ; only, instead of being the first of my servants,
you will become the first of my subjects."
" Oh, speak not of interest, of ambition ! Do not dis-
honor the sentiment I have for you ! my devotion, my
ardent, my unmixed devotion ! "
" Noble nature ! " said the queen ; " I will accept your
devotion, and, be assured, will repay it."
And she held out her hands, which La Mole pressed in
his own.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 249
Well ! " said she.
" Weil, yes," replied La Mole ; " I now begin to under-
stand the project spoken of by the Huguenots before the
Bartholomew ; the project, to aid in which, I, with so
many others, came to Paris. DeMouy conspires with you ;
but what has the Duke d'Alen9on to do with all this ? Is
he sufficiently your friend to aid you, without demanding
anything in return ?"
"The duke conspires for himself. Let him go on his
own way ; his life answers for ours."
" But how can I, who am in his service, betray him ?"
" Betray him ! how so ? What has he intrusted to you ?
Has he not betrayed you, by giving de Mouy your mantle
and hat, to enable him to come here ? Were you not in
my service before you were in his ? Has he given you a
greater proof of his friendship than I have of love ?"
La Mole rose, pale and agitated.
" Coconnas was right/' murmured he ; "I am becoming
entangled in the net of intrigue, and it will destroy me. "
" Well," said Marguerite.
" This is my answer," returned La Mole. " Even at
the extremity of France, where the reputation of your
beauty reached me, and gave me my first desire to visit
Paris, that I might see yon, I have heard it said, that you
have often loved, and that your love has always been fatal
to its objects ; death, doubtless jealous of their happiness,
removed them from you. Do not interrupt me, Margue-
rite. It is added, that you have ever with you the em-
balmed hearts of these departed ones, and that, at times,
you bestow on these sad remains a piteous sigh, perchance
a tear. You sigh, my queen, your eyes are lowered to the
ground ; it is true, then ? Well ; let me be favored as
these were, only with this difference ; swear that if (as a
somber presentiment assures me I shall) I perish beneath
the executioner's stroke in your service, you will preserve
that head which I shall forfeit, and will sometimes look
upon it. Swear this, and the prospect of such a reward
ihall make me be, or do, whatever you command me."
" Oh, gloomy foreboding ! " said the queen.
250 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Swear ! "
" Swear ? "
" Yes, on this cross-surmounted coffer."
" I swear/' said Marguerite, " that if your somber pre-
sentiment be realized, you shall be near me, living or dead,
so long as I myself shall live ; if I cannot save you, you
shall have the poor consolation you ask, and which you
will have so well merited."
" One word more, Marguerite I can now die happily ;
but I may live ; we may triumph, and not fall. The King
of Navarre may become king, you will then be queen ; he
will take you hence ; the vow of separation between you
may one day be broken, and lead to my separation from
you. Oh ! dearest Marguerite, reassure me also on this
point."
" Fear not," cried Marguerite, placing her hand on the
cross ; " if I go, you shall accompany me ; if the king
refuses to take you, I myself will not depart."
" But you will not dare resist him."
" Dear Hyacinthe," said Marguerite, "you do not know
the king ; Henry thinks but of one thing, that of becoming
a king, and to that he would sacrifice all ; and now, fare-
well ! "
From this evening La Mole was no longer a common fa-
vorite, and he could proudly hold up that head, for which,
living or dead, so high a destiny was reserved. Yet some-
times his eyes were fixed on the ground, his cheek grew
pale, and deep meditation drew furrows on the brow of
the young man, once so gay, now so happy.
CHAPTEK XXVII.
THE HAND OF PROVIDENCE.
As Henry left Madame de Sauve, he said to her :
" Charlotte, confine yourself to your bed ; pretend to be
exceedingly ill, and do not receive any person during the
day under any pretext whatsoever."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 251
Charlotte, knowing that Henry had secrets which he
revealed to no one, complied with all his directions, cer-
tain that his conduct was based on some good and sufficing
grounds.
Thus, in the evening, she complained to her attendant
Dariole of a heaviness in the head, accompanied with
faintness, these being the symptoms Henry had requested
her to feign.
The next morning she seemed desirous of rising, but
scarcely had she placed her foot on the floor than she com-
plained of general weakness, and returned to her bed.
This indisposition, which Henry had already adverted to
when speaking to the Duke d'Alen9on, was the first infor-
mation that Catherine received, when she inquired, with a
calm air, why La Sauve did not attend her, as usual, when
she arose.
"She is ill/' said Madame de Lorraine, who was
present.
"Ill," repeated Catherine, whilst not a muscle of her
face announced the interest she took in the reply; "a,
little indolent, perhaps ?"
"No, madame," replied the princess; "she complains
of a violent pain in the head, and a weakness that prevents
her from moving."
Catherine made no reply, but to conceal her joy, no
doubt, turned towards the window, and seing Henry cross
the courtyard, after his conversation with De Mouy, she
said, as she looked at him, to her captain of the guards :
" Do you not think that my son Henry looks paler than
usual this morning ? "
It is true Henry was considerably disturbed in mind, but
perfectly well in body.
Catherine's suite left her, and the instant she was alone,
she closed the door securely, and going to a secret cup-
board, she drew from a concealed corner a book, whose
crumpled leaves proved how frequently it was made use of.
She placed the volume on a table, opened it, and after
consulting its pages for a minute, exclaimed :
" Yes, it is so ; headache, general weakness, pains in the
252 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
eyes, swelling of the palate ; as yet they only mention
headache and weakness ; but the other symptoms will
appear anon. Then follow inflammation of the throat,
which extends over the stomach, surrounds the heart with
a circle of fire, and makes the brain burst like a stroke of
lightning."
She read on in low tone, and then said :
" The fever lasts six hours, the general inflammation
twelve hours, the gangrene twelve hours, the final agony
six hours ; in all thirty-six hours."
" Well, then, let us suppose that absorption is a slower
process than swallowing ; instead of thirty-six hours we
shall have forty, or perhaps forty-eight yes, forty-eight
must be sufficient but he he Henry how is it that he
is able to keep up ? Why, because he is a man with a
robust habit, and perhaps drank something after he had
kissed her, and wiped his lips after drinking." .
Oatherine impatiently awaited the dinner-hour Henry
dined with the king daily. When he came, he complained
of giddiness in the head, and did not eat, but withdrew
immediately after dinner, saying thit as he had been up
nearly all the night before, he felt a great desire to sleep.
Catherine listened to Henry's retreating and staggering
step, and desired some one to follow him, which was done,
and the queen-mother was informed that the King of
Navarre had gone towards Madame de Sauve's apartment.
" Henry," she said to herself, " will there complete the
work of death which unlucky accident may hitherto have
rendered incomplete."
The King of Navarre had gone to Madame de Sauve's
apartment, to request her to continue to play her part.
Next day Henry did not quit his chamber all the morning,
nor did he dine at the royal table. Madame de Sauve, it
was reported, was worse and worse, and the rumors of
Henry's illness, spread by Catherine herself, spread like one
of those presentiments which no one can explain.
Catherine awaited, then, with curiosity, with expecta-
tion, the moment when some attendant, pale and aghast,
should enter her apartment, and cry :
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 253
"Your majesty, the King of Navarre is dying, and
Madame de Sauve is dead."
The clock struck four, and Catherine was feeding with
crumbs of bread some rare birds which she herself attended
to. Although her features were calm, and even melancholy,
her heart beat violently at the least sound.
Suddenly the door opened.
" Madame," said the captain of the guards, "the King
of Navarre is "
" 111 ? " inquired Catherine, suddenly.
" No, madame, thank God ! his majesty seems excellently
well."
" What then have you to say ? "
/ <J
" That the King of Navarre is here."
" What would he with me ? "
" He brings your majesty a small monkey of a very rare
sort."
And at this moment Henry entered, holding in his hand
a basket, and caressing an onistiti (a small species of the
monkey) which was in it.
Henry smiled as he entered, and appeared quite occupied
with the small animal he had brought : but yet preoccupied
as he was, he gave a glance which was sufficient under his
peculiar circumstances. As to Catherine, she ws very
pale deadly pale, indeed, as she saw the cheeks of the
young man, as he approached her, glowing with color and
health.
The queen-mother was stupefied at this, and accepting
mechanically the present he made her, and complimenting
him in a troubled voice on h.s healthy appearance, added :
"I am the more pleased to see you in such health, my
son, after having heard that you had been unwell ; and I
remember you complained of indisposition in my presence ;
but I see now," she continued, c-rying to force a smile,
" it was only an excuse that you might have your time
more freely to yourself."
" Why, I really was very unwell, madame," replied
Henry, "but a specific used in our mountains, and which
my mother gave me, cured my indisposition."
254 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"Ah ! you will give me the prescription, won't you,
Henry ? " said Catherine, really smiling this time, but
with irony half concealed.
"Some counter-poison/' she muttered ; " or he was on
his guard : seeing Madame de Sauve ill, he had some dis-
trust. Really, it would seem that the hand of Providence
is extended over this man."
Catherine awaited for night most impatiently. Madame
de Sauve did not appear ; and it was stated that she was
still worse. All the evening the queen-mother was un-
easy ; and every one asked, what could be the thoughts
that thus agitated a countenance usually so lit tie agitated.
Every one retired. Catherine went to bed, and was un-
dressed by her woman ; but, when all was hushed in the
Louvre, she rose, put on a long black dressing gown, and
with a lamp in her hand, having selected the key that
opened Madame de Sauve's door, went to the apartment of
her maid of honor.
Had Henry anticipated this visit ? Was he in his own
apartment ? Was he hidden somewhere ? The young
lady was alone.
Catherine opened the door with precaution, passed
through the antechamber, entered the saloon, placed the
lamp on a table, for there was a night light burning near
the invalid, and like a shadow she glided into the sleeping
apartment.
Dariole, extended in a large armchair, was sleeping near
her mistress's bed, which was closed in by curtains.
The breathing of the young lady was so light, that for
an instant, Catherine thought she did not breathe at all.
At length she heard a light respiration, and, with
malignant joy, she raised fche curtain that she might her-
self witness the effect of the terrible poison, and she shud-
dered at the anticipated aspect of the livid paleness, or the
devouring purple, of the mortal fever she hoped to see;
but, instead of that, calm, her eyes gently covered by
their ivory lids, her mouth rosy and half-opened, her soft
cheek reposing on one of her arms, beautifully rounded,
whilst the other, fresh and beautiful, was extended on the
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 255
crimson damask counterpane, the young lady was sleeping
with a smile on her lovely features.
Catherine could not repress a cry, which aroused Dariole
for an instant.
The queen-mother threw herself behind the bed-cur-
tains. Dariole opened her eyes, but being drowsy, she did
not even try to account to herself for the cause of her
awaking, and her heavy eyelids again dropping, she soon
slept.
Catherine then coming from behind the curtain, look-
ing all around, saw on a small table a flask of Spanish
wine, some sweetmeats, and two glasses. Henry had
supped with the baroness, who was as well as himself.
Catherine then going to the toilet-table, took up the
small box, which was one-third empty. It was the
same, or similar, to that she had given. She took from it
a morsel of the size of a pearl, at the end of a gold pin,
returned to her own apartment, and offered it to the
small monkey which Henry had presented to her the same
evening. The animal, tempted by the aromatic, seized
and swallowed it greedily, and curling himself up in his
basket, went to sleep. Catherine waited a quarter of an
hour.
"With half such a piece," she said, "my dog Brunot
died in a minute. I have been trifled with. Can it be
Rene ? Rene ! that is impossible. Then, it is Henry.
Cursed fatality, it is clear ; as he must reign, he cannot
die. Perhaps, it is only poison against which he is proof :
let us then try cold steel."
Catherine went to her couch, turning over in her mind
this fresh idea, which she resolved on essaying next day ;
and, in the morning, summoning the captain of her
guards, she gave him a letter to convey to its address, and
to be handed only to the person whose name it bore.
It was addressed to "Sire de Louviers de Maurevel,
Captain of the King's Petardiers, Rue de la Cerisaie, near
the Arsenal/'
256 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE LETTER FROM ROME.
SOME days had elapsed since the events we have related,
when one morning a litter, escorted by several gentlemen
wearing the colors of M. de Gnise, entered the Louvre ;
and it was announced to the Queen of Navarre that the
Duchess de Nevers desired to pay her respects to her.
Marguerite was receiving a visit from Madame de Sauve.
It was the first time the lovely baroness had gone out since
her pretended illness.
Marguerite congratulated her on her convalescence, and
said :
" You will come, I hope, to the great hunt, which will
certainly take place to-morrow."
" Why, madame," replied the baroness, " I do not know
that I shall be well enough/'
" Bah," replied Marguerite, " you must make an exer-
tion ; and as I myself am a regular warrior, I have author-
ized the king to place at your disposal a small Beam horse,
which I was to have ridden, and which will carry you
famously. So you must accompany us."
" Your majesty overwhelms me, and I will be present,
as you desire it."
At this moment the Duchess de Nevers was announced.
"To-morrow, then," said Marguerite to Madame de
Sauve. "Apropos, you know, baroness," continued Mar-
guerite, " that in public I detest you, seeing that I am
horribly jealous of you."
" But in private ?" asked Madame de Sauve.
" Oh ! in private I not only forgive you, but even thank
you."
" Then your majesty will allow me
Marguerite extended her hand, which the baroness
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 257
kissed respectfully, made a low curtsey, and left the apart-
ment.
The Duchess de Nevers entered. Gillonne, at the desire
of her mistress, fastened the door, and the duchess, taking
a seat without ceremony, Marguerite said to her, with a
smile :
" Well I and our famous swordsman what do we make
out of iiim ? "
" My dear queen," replied the duchess, " he is really a
mythological being ; he is incomparable in his mind, and
endless in his humor ; I am really fond of him : and how
goes on your Apollo ? "
"Alas ! " said Marguerite, with a sigh.
"Ah, ah ! that alas ! frightens me, dear queen."
"This, alas! only refers to myself ," replied Marguerite.
" And what does it mean ? "
"It means, dear duchess, that I have an awful fear that
I love him in real earnest."
"Really?"
"On my faith, as a woman ! "
" Ah, so much the better ! " cried Henriette. " It is so
pleasant, dear and learned queen, to rest one's mind on a
faithful and fond heart. Ah, Marguerite ! I have a pre-
sentiment that we shall pass an agreeable year."
" Do you think so ? " said the queen. " I, on the con-
trary, do not know how it is, but I appear to see every-
thing as it were through a crape. All these political tur-
moils torment me terribly. By the way, learn if your An-
nibal is as much devoted to my brother as he appears to be.
It is important to know this."
" He devoted to anything ! Ah ! I see, you do not know
him as I do. If he is ever devoted, it will be to ambition,
and nothing else. There are really moments when this
tiger, whom I have trained, makes me afraid for myself.
The other day I said to him : ' Annibal, mind and do not
be false to me, for if you are false to me ' "
"Well?"
" Well, what do you suppose was his^ reply ? Why, he
said : ' And if you are false to me, do you take care, for
258 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
although you are a princess ; ' and as he said so, he
threatened me not only with his eyes, but with his finger
his finger, straight and pointed, and with a nail cut like
a spear-point, which he put quite close under my nose ;
really, my dear queen, I confess his countenance was so
threatening that I trembled, and you know that ordinarily
I am no trembler."
' ' Did he really threaten you, Henriette ? "
" Yes, mordi ! but I had threatened him, you see."
" Have you any news for me ? "
"Yes, indeed ; I have received news from Home."
" Well ! and matters in Poland ? "
" Progress most favorably ; and in all probability you
will in a few days be freed from your brother D'Anjou."
" The pope, then, has ratified the election ? "
"Yes, my dear."
' Why did you not tell me sooner ? Come, quick,
quick ! all the details."
' OL, ma foil I have none but what I have told yon.
But here is my husband De Nevers' letter. No, that is
not it ; that is a billet from me, which I will beg of you to
ask La Mole to give to Annibal. This is the duke's letter."
Marguerite opened and read it eagerly, but it told no
more than she knew before from the lips of her friend.
" And how did you receive this letter ? " continued the
queen.
By one of my husband's couriers, who had his orders to
stop at the H6tel de Guise on his way to the Louvre, and
hand me this letter, before the king had his. I knew the
importance which my queen attached to this news, and
wrote to M. de Nevers to do so. And now in all Paris,
none but the king, you and I, know this news, unless the
man who followed our courier
" What man ? "
" Oh, what a horrible business ! Only imagine this poor
messenger arriving tired, dusty, and jaded, after traveling
for a whole week, day and night incessantly, constantly
followed by a man of fierce visage, who had relays, like
his own, and traveled as fast as he for these four hundred
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 259
leagues, our courier expecting every moment to have a
ball in his back. They both arrived at the Barriere St.
Marcel at the same time both descended the Rue Mouffe-
tard at a gallop both crossed the Cite ; but at the end of
the bridge Notre-Dame, our courier turned to the right,
while the other turned to the left by the Place du Chatelet,
and passed along the Quais by the Louvre, like a bolt from
a bow."
" Thanks ! thanks ! dearest Henriette," cried Margue-
rite ; "you are right, and your information is indeed in-
teresting. Who this other courier is I will find out.
Leave me now ; we meet to-night in the Rue Tizon, do
we not, and to-morrow at the hunt ? I will tell you to-
night what I wish you to learn from your Coconnas."
"Do not forget my letter."
" No, no ; be easy, he shall have it in time."
Madame de Nevers went away, and Marguerite instantly
sent for Henry, who hastened to her, and she gave him
the letter, and told him of the two couriers.
" Yes," said Henry ; " I saw one enter the Louvre."
" Perhaps for the queen-mother."
"No, for I went into the corridor, and no one passed."
" Then," said Marguerite, looking at her husband, " it
must be for "
" Your brother D'Alengon, eh ? " said Henry.
" Yes ; but how to ascertain ?"
" Can we not," asked Henry negligently, " send for one
of the two gentlemen, and learn from him "
" You are right, sire," replied Marguerite set at ease
by her husband's proposition. " I will send for M. de la
Mole ; " and calling Gillonne, she desired her to seek that
gentleman, and bring him thither.
Henry seated himself at a table, on which was a German
book with Albert Diirer's engravings, which he looked at
with so much attention, that when La Mole appeared he
did not seem to hear him, not even raising his head.
Marguerite went to La Mole, and said :
" M. de la Mole, can you tell me who is on guard to-
day at M. d'Alengon's ?"
DUMAS VOL. IIL 12
260 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Coconuas, madame," was the reply.
" Endeavor to learn if he has introduced to his master
a man covered with mud, who seemed to have ridden a
long and rapid journey ? "
" Madame, I am afraid he will not tell me, for he has
been uncommonly taciturn during the last few days."
" Realty ? Well, but if you give him this billet, I should
think he would owe you something in exchange."
" From the duchess ? Ah, madame, let me have it, and
I will answer for all ; " and taking the letter, he went
quickly away.
"We shall know to-morrow if the Duke d'Alenqon is
informed of the affair of Poland," said Marguerite, turn-
ing towards her husband.
" This M. de la Mole is really a very capital servant/'
said the Bearnais, with his own most peculiar smile, " and,
by the mass ! I will make his fortune."
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE DEPARTURE.
WHEN the red rayless sun rose next morning over Paris,
the court had already been in motion for two hours.
A splendid barb, agile as a deer, the swelling veins of
whose neck indicated his high breeding, pawed impatiently
in the court, awaiting the king ; but his impatience was
less than his master's, detained by his mother, who wished
to speak of an affair of the greatest importance.
They were both in the great gallery : Catherine pale and
cold as ever ; Charles IX. biting his nails, and chastising
the two favorite dogs which stood by him, clothed in the
coat of mail which protected them from the boar's tusks.
A shield emblazoned with the arms of France was attached
to their chests, like that on the breasts of the royal pages.
" Listen, Charles," said Catherine. " None but you
and I are aware of the approaching arrival of the Polish
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 261
ambassadors ; and yet the King of Navarre acts as if he
knew of it. In spite of his pretended abjuration, he
keeps up a correspondence with the Huguenots. Have
you remarked how frequently he has gone out, within the
last few days. He has money he who never before had
any ; he purchases horses and weapons, and when it rains,
he practises fencing."
" Bah ! mother," cried Charles, impatiently ; "do you
think he is going to kill D'Anjou or myself ; he must
take a few more lessons first ; for yesterday I touched
with my foil the buttons on his doublet eleven times,
though there are but six of them ; and D'Anjou is even
more skilful than I, or at least he says so."
" Attend, Charles," said Catherine, " and do not treat
your mother's warnings with such levity. These ambas-
sadors will soon arrive ; once here, you will see Henry do-
ing his best to gain their attention ; he is very insinuat-
ing and cunning, and his wife, who now abets him, I don't
understand why, will chatter Latin and Greek, Hungarian,
and I know not what else, with them. I tell you, Charles,
and I am never mistaken, there is something in hand."
At this moment the clock struck. Charles listened.
" Mort de ma vie! seven : an hour to get there, an
hour more at cover ; zounds ! it will be nine before we
are at it ! Down, Eisque-tout ! down, you rascal ! "
And as he spoke, a vigorous lash drew from the poor
hound, astonished at receiving chastisement instead of a
caress, a yell of agony.
" Charles," resumed Catherine, " attend to me, and
do not thus put to hazard your own fortune and that of
France. The chase ! the chase ! you will have time
enough for the chase, when you have completed the work
before us."
" Bah ! bah ! mother," said Charles, pale with rage ;
" tell me at once, what you want."
And he struck his boot with his whip.
Catherine saw the favorable moment had arrived, and
determined not to let it slip.
" My son," said she, "we know that M. de Mouy is
262 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
again in Paris ; M. de Maurevel has seen him. He can
only be here for the King of Navarre's purposes. Here is
good ground for increased suspicion."
" Ah, here you are again at poor Harry ! I suppose
you want me to kill him."
" Oh no ! "
" To banish him ? But don't you perceive he wonld
be more formidable at a distance, than here, in the Louvre,
where we know everything he does ? "
" No, I don't want to banish him."
" What then ? Come, quick !"
" I would have him confined while the Poles are here ;
in the Bastille, for instance."
" Oh, Ma foil no," cried Charles IX. "We are going
to hunt the boar this morning ; Henry is one of my best
assistants. The chase would be nothing without him.
Mordieu ! you do nothing but annoy me."
" My son, I do not say to-day ; to-morrow will be time
enough ! "
" Ah, that is different ; we will speak again of this, after
the hunt, say. Adieu ! Come, Risque-tout, don't be
sulky!"
" Charles," said Catherine, taking hold of his arm,
spite of the explosion she knew might follow, "I think it
would be best to sign the warrant at once, although we
do not execute it to-night."
" Sign ! write an order ! go and look for the seal, when
I am going to hunt ? Devil take me if I do ! "
" Nay, I love you too much to delay you ; I have every-
thing prepared."
And Catherine, agile as a girl, opened the door of her
private cabinet, and showed the king an inkstand, a pen,
a parchment, and a lighted taper.
The king rapidly run his eye over the parchment :
" Order, etc., etc., to arrest and conduct to the Bastille
our brother Henry of Navarre."
" There !" said he, hastily affixing his name to it.
And he sprang out of the cabinet, glad to escape so
easily.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 263
Charles was waited for impatiently ; and as his punctu-
ality in hunting arrangements was well known, his non-
appearance occasioned no small surprise. The instant he
appeared, the hunters saluted him with cheers, the whip-
pers-in with their horns, the horses with neighings, and
the hounds with their most sweet voices. Charles, for a
moment, was young and happy amidst all this noise, and
the color mounted up into his pallid cheeks.
He scarcely gave himself time to return the salutations
of the brilliant assembly. He nodded to D'Alen9on,
waved his hand to Marguerite, passed Henry without
seeming to observe him, and sprang upon the horse that
awaited him. The noble animal bounded impatiently,
but soon comprehending with how perfect an equestrian
it had to deal, became quiet.
The horns once more sounded, and the King left the
Louvre, followed by the Duke d'Alenqon, the King of
Navarre, Marguerite, Madame de Nevers, Madame de
Sauve, Tavannes, and the chief nobles of the court.
As for the Duke d'Anjou, he had been at the siege of
Rochelle for the last three months.
Whilst waiting for the king, Henry had approached his
wife, who whispered :
"The courier from Rome was conducted by M. de Co-
connas to the Duke d'Alen9on a quarter of an hour before
the Duke de Nevers' messenger saw the king."
" Then he knows all."
"He needs must. Look at him; despite his accom-
plished dissimulation, he cannot conceal his joy,"
" Ventre-saint-gris ! " said the Bearnais, " he is hunting
three thrones to-day : France, Poland, and Navarre,
without reckoning the boar. "
Then, saluting his wife, Henry returned to his place,
and called one of his servants, a Bearnese, whom he was
in the habit of employing in his love affairs.
" Orthon," said he, "take this key to Madame de
Sauve's cousin, at his house, the corner of the Rue des
Qnatre-fils. Tell him his cousin wishes to see him this
evening ; that he is to go to my chamber ; if I am not
264: MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
there, he is to wait for me ; and if I am late, he can lay
down in my bed."
" There is no answer, sire ? "
" None, except to tell me if you have seen him. The
key is for him only, you understand ? "
"Yes, sire."
"Stop, blockhead, you must not go off now : it would
create observation. Before we leave Paris, I will call you,
as if my girth was slackened ; then you can wait behind,
discharge your commission, and join us at Bondy."
Orthon bowed and drew back.
The cavalcade passed down the Hue St.-Honor6, the Eue
St. -Denis, then the Fauxbourg. At the Rue St. -Laurent,
the king's saddle became ungirthed ; Orthon galloped up,
and everything passed as the king had arranged. The
royal cortege passed down the Eue des Eecollets, and the
faithful valet dashed into the Rue du Temple.
When Henry rejoined the king, he was so busy talking
to D'Alen9on about the expected boar, that he either did
not perceive or affected not to perceive that Henry had
stayed behind.
Madame Marguerite remarked that her brother seemed
embarrassed whenever he glanced at Henry. Madame de
Nevers was in high glee, for Coconnas was in capital vein
with his jests.
At a quarter-past eight, the cortege arrived at Bondy.
Charles's first care was to inquire whether the boar had
broken cover. The boar, however, the huntsman assured
him, was still in his lair.
A collation was prepared ; the king drank a glass of
Hungarian wine ; then, inviting the ladies to seat them-
selves, he went to inspect the kennels and the mews, hav-
ing first given strict orders that his horse should not be
unsaddled meanwhile.
During his absence, the Duke de Guise arrived ; he
was armed as if for war, rather than for the chase, and
was attended by twenty or thirty gentlemen in similar
array. He went to seek the king, and returned conversing
with him.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 267
At nine o'c\r majesty would permit this it would be a
for departur
place of me&im in the Louvre, then."
During t:t part ? "
" Well," iwn apartments."
" Nothinl bowed,
at you." when, madame ? "
"Ihtnight."
" It shall be done, madame. But deign to tell me what
"ard I am to have for his rank ! "
cov Regard! rank!" said Catherine. " Know you not
wiat the King of France acknowledges no one of a rank
;qual to his own in France ?"
" Yet one other question, madame. Should the king
Contest the authenticity of this order it is not unlikely
but "
" On the contrary, it is certain "
" That he will contest it ? "
"Without doubt."
" And that, consequently, he will refuse to obey it ? n
" I fear so."
"And will resist it?"
" Most likely."
ki " Zounds ! " said Maurevel ; " in that case "
P r " In what case ?" asked Catherine.
re " In case he resists."
sai What do you do when you have the king's warrant,
^d a simple gentleman resists you ? "
"I kill him, madame," returned the bravo.
" I told you just now that every one in France is, in
the king's eyes, but a simple gentleman."
Maurevel turned pale, for he began to understand.
" Oh, oh ! " said he, " kill the King of Navarre ! "
** Who spoke of killing him ? This order is only to con-
duct him to the Bastille. If he suffers himself to be ar-
rested quietly, well and good : but if he resists, and seeks
to kill you "
Maurevel grew still paler.
" You will, of course, defend yourself. A bravo soldier
268 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
like you cannot be expected to suffer himself to be killed ;
and then, in your own defense, happen what will you
understand ? "
"Yes, madame."
" Come, you want me to write on the order the words
Dead or alive 9 "
" I confess that would remove my scruples."
" Well I must do it, I suppose."
And unrolling the warrant with one hand, with the other
she wrote, ' Dead or alive."
" Is the order sufficiently formal now ? " she asked.
" Yes, madame ; but I pray you, let me have the exe-
cution of it entirely to myself."
" Will anything I have said interfere ? "
" Your majesty bade me take twelve men."
" Well ? "
" I request your permission to take only six."
"Why?"
" Because six guards may be excused for being afraid of
losing a prisoner ; twelve would never be."
" Do as you will," said Catherine. " Meantime, you
must not quit the Louvre."
" But how shall I collect my men ? "
" Have you no person you can employ in this ?"
" There is my servant, a trusty fellow, who sometimes
aids me in such things."
" Send for him and arrange your plans. You will break-
fast in the king's armory. When he returns from hunt-
ing, you can go to my oratory, and wait there till the hour
comes."
" How shall we get into the king's chamber ? he, doubt-
less, has his suspicions, and fastens the door within."
" I have keys that open all the doors in the Louvre ; and
the bolts have been removed from his door. Adieu, M. de
Maurevel. Remember, any failure would compromise the
king's honor."
And Catherine, without leaving Maurevel time to reply,
called M. de Nancey the captain of her guards, and bade
him conduct Maurevel into the king's armory.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 269
" Mordieu ! " said Maurevel. "lam rising in my pro-
fession. First I killed a simple gentleman, then I shot at
an admiral, now 'tis a king without a crown : who knows
but some day I may have to settle a king with a crown 1 "
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE BOAR-HUNT.
THE huntsman was not deceived when he affirmed that
the game had not broken covert. Scarcely had the hounds
entered, when the boar, which was, as the huntsman had
said, one of the largest size, appeared.
The animal passed within fifty paces of the king, fol-
lowed only by the hound which had roused him ; but twenty
dogs were speedily uncoupled, and laid on his track.
The chase was Charles's passion ; and scarcely had the
animal appeared than he dashed after him, followed by
the Duke d'Alen9on and Henry, who had received a sign
from Marguerite, warning him not to lose sight of the
king. The other huntsmen followed.
In a quarter of an hour some impassable thickets pre-
sented themselves, and Charles returned to the glade, curs-
ing and swearing as was his wont :
" Zounds 1 D'Alenqon, zounds ! Harry, here you are,
calm and milklike as nuns following the abbess in proces-
sion. Do you call that hunting ? You, D'Alenc,on, look
as if you had just come out of a box ; you are so perfumed,
that if you get between the boar and the dogs, you will
spoil the scent ; and you, Harry, where is your boar-spear ?
where is your arquebuss ? "
" Sire/' said Henry, " what is the use of an arquebuss ?
I know your majesty likes to shoot the boar at bay. As
for the boar-spear, it is never used in my country, where
we hunt the bear with the simple poniard."
"Mordieu!" replied Charles, "you must send me a
cartload of bears when you go back to the Pyrenees. It
270 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
must be glorious sport to contend foot to foot with an
animal that may strangle one in a minute. Hark! I think
I hear them. No ! "
The king blew a blast on his horn that was answered by
several others. At this moment a huntsman appeared, and
sounded another note.
" Seen ! seen ! " cried the king ; and he set spurs to his
horse, followed by all around him.
The huntsman was right : as the king advanced, the
pack, now composed of more than sixty dogs, was heard
distinctly. The king no sooner saw the boar pass a second
time, than he pursued him at full speed, blowing his horn
with all his might.
The princes followed him some time ; but the king's
horso was so strong, and bore him over such difficult ways,
through such thick coverts, that first the ladies, then the
Duke de Guise and the gentlemen, and then the two
princes, were fain to draw rein. Tavannes followed him
awhile longer, but he, in his turn, was compelled to give
it up.
All then, except the king and a few huntsmen, incited
by the hope of reward, found themselves near the glade
they had started from. The two princes were side by side
in a long, broad forest path, the Duke de Guise and his
attendants at some little distance on.
' ' Does it not seem," said the Duke d'Alengon to Henry,
" that this man, with his armed retinue, is the real king ?
He does not deign to glance at us poor princes."
" Why should he treat us better than we are treated by
our own relations ? You and I are but the hostages of our
party at the court."
The duke started and looked at Henry, as if calling for
further explanation, but the latter remained silent.
" What mean you ? " asked Frangois, evidently cha-
grined at his brother-in-law's compelling him to pursue the
subject.
"I mean," returned Henry, "that all these armed men
Beem like guards stationed to prevent two persons from
escaping."
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. 271
" From escaping ! why ? how Y " asked the duke, with
admirably affected surprise.
" You have a magnificent genet there, D'Alenqon," said
Henry, affecting to change the conversation, and yet
adroitly pursuing the subject ; " I am sure he would do
fourteen miles in an hour, and forty between this and mid-
day. See, what a beautiful cross-road there is that way :
does it not invite you to loosen rein ? As for me, I should
like a gallop vastly."
Fran9ois made no reply, but turned very red, and affected
to listen for the hunters.
" The news from Poland has taken effect," thought
Henry. " My dear brother-in-law has a plan of. his own.
He is willing enough I should be off ; but I don't fly alone,
he may rely upon it."
At this moment, several converts from Protestantism,
who had been but a short time at the court, came up, and
saluted the princes with a meaning smile.
The Duke d'Alen9on needed but to say one word, to
make but one sign ; for it was evident that the thirty or
forty cavaliers collected, as if by chance, round him, were
ready to oppose M. de Guise's troop, and favor his flight.
The duke, however, turned his head, and placing his horn
to his lips, blew a recall.
Still, the newcomers, as if they believed the duke's
hesitation arose from the presence of the Guisards, gradu-
ally placed themselves between that party and the princes,
in a manner that showed they were well accustomed to
military maneuvers. In order to reach the Duke d'Alen-
qon and the King of Navarre, it would be necessary for
the Guise party to pass through them ; whilst as far as
the eye could reach, the cross-road was free.
Suddenly, between the trees, at ten paces from the king,
appeared a gentleman, whom the two princes had not yet
seen. Whilst Henry was conjecturing who he could be,
he raised his hat, and displayed the features of the Vi-
comte de Turenne, one of the Protestant leaders, who was
believed to be in Poicton.
The vicomte made a sign that asked :
272 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Will you come ? "
But Henry, after consulting the immovable visage of the
Duke d'Alen9on, turned his head two or three times, as if
something in his collar hurt him.
The vicomte understood him, and instantly disappeared.
Suddenly the hounds were again heard ; and at the ex-
tremity of the ride, in which were the princes, the boar
passed, and then the dogs, and then, looking like the wild
huntsman, Charles, bareheaded, and blowing his horn furi-
ously : three or four huntsmen rode after him : Tavannes
was not there.
" The king ! " cried D'Alen9on, and he instantly galloped
after him.
Keassured by the presence of his friends, whom he mo-
tioned not to leave him, Henry advanced to the ladies.
"Well," said Marguerite.
" Well, madame," said Henry, " we are hunting the
boar."
" Is that all ? **
" The wind has changed since the morning, as I pre-
dicted to you it would."
"These changes of the wind are very bad for hunting,
are they not, sir ? " said Marguerite.
"Yes; sometimes they disturb all our arrangements,
and we have to form a new plan altogether/'
The pack was now heard, and every one turned to listen.
Suddenly the boar broke out of the wood, and dashed by
the ladies and their gallants.
Behind him, close on his haunches, came forty or fifty
hounds, and then the king, bareheaded, without hat or
mantle, his dress torn by the thorns, his hands and face
all bloody ; only one or two huntsmen kept up with him.
" Hallali ! hallali ! " cried he, as he passed, placing his
horn to his bleeding lips, and boar, dogs, and king disap-
peared like a vision.
Immediately after them came D'Alen9ou, and two or
three piqueurs.
Every one followed, for it was plain the boar would soon
be brought to bay.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 2Y3
And so it happened : in less than ten minutes, the boar,
coming to an open spot, placed his back against a rock,
and prepared himself for a desperate struggle.
The most interesting moment of the chase was come :
the dogs, though well-nigh breathless with a chase of more
than three hours, rushed upon the boar.
All the hunters ranged themselves in a circle the king
a little in advance, the Duke d'Alenqon behind him with
his arquebuss, and Henry, who had only his hunting-knife.
The Duke d'Ale^on lighted the match of his arquebuss ;
Henry loosened his knife in its sheath.
The Duke de Guise, who despised all such sports, re-
mained in the background with his party.
At some distance was a piqueur, who with difficulty held
back the king's two huge boar-hounds, which, struggling
and baying, awaited anxiously the moment when they
should be let loose upon their prey.
The animal fought most gallantly ; attacked at once by
forty dogs, surrounding him like a raging sea, he at every
stroke of his tusk hurled into the air one of the gallant
creatures, torn and dying. In ten minutes, twenty dogs
were killed or disabled.
" Let loose the hounds I" cried the king.
The piqueur opened the swivel of the leashes, and the
two huge animals, protected by their coats of mail, dashed
through the thickest of the fray, and seized the boar each
by an ear.
(e Bravo, Risque-tout ! bravo, Dure-Dent ! " cried
Charles. " A boar-spear ! a boar-spear ! "
" Will you have my arquebuss ? " said D'Alenqon.
" No, no ! " cried the king, " there is no pleasure in
shooting him ; but 'tis delicious to feel the spear going in.
A spear ! a spear ! "
One was presented to him.
" Take care, Charles," said Marguerite.
"To him ! to him!"
"Do not miss him, sire. Pierce the heretic through
and through ! " cried the Duchess de Nevers.
" Never fear ! " replied the king ; and leveling his spear,
18
274 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
hs rushed at the boar. But at the sight of the glittering
steel, the animal made so suddeii a movement, that the
spear glanced off his shoulder, and broke against the rock.
" Milles noms d'un diable ! I have missed ! " cried Charles,
impatiently. ' ' Another spear ! "
And backing his steed, like the knights of old in a
tournament, he cast away the broken weapon.
A piqueur advanced to offer him another.
But as if he foresaw his fate, and sought to avoid it, the
boar, by a violent effort, burst from the dogs, and, his
hair bristling, his mouth foaming with rage, and clashing
his tusks together, he rushed at Charles.
The king was too good a sportsman not to have foreseen
this attack. Pulling hard on the rein, he made his horse
rear ; but either from the curb being too tightly pressed,
or from fear, the animal fell back upon his rider.
A cry burst from every one ; the king's thigh was caught
between the saddle and the ground.
" Let the bridle go, sire," cried Henry.
The king abandoned his hold of the rein, seized the
saddle with his left h?nd, and with his right strove to draw
his hunting-knife, but in vain ; the sheath was so tightly
pressed by his body as to render that impossible.
" The boar ! the boar I" cried Charles. " Help, help,
D'Alenc.on."
The horse, as if he comprehended the danger of his
master, rose on his forefeet, when Henry saw D > Alen9on
turn ghastly pale as he placed his arquebussto his shoulder
and fired. The ball, instead of hitting the boar, struck
the foreleg of the king's horse, which instantly fell again.
" Oh 1" murmured D'Alen9on, his lips blanched with
fear, "I think that D'Anjou is King of France, and I
King of Poland I"
And, in fact, the boar's tusk already grazed Charles'
thigh, when the king felt his arm raised, and saw a bright
blade flash before his eyes, and bury itself up to the hilt
behind the boar's shoulder, while a hand, gloved in iron,
was dashed against the mouth of the monster.
Charles had by this time freed himself from his strug-
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 275
gling horse, and rose with difficulty ; when he saw his
dress streaming with blood, he grew still paler than be-
fore.
"Sire," said Henry, who, still on one knee, kept his
knife in the boar's breast, " you are not hurt ; I turned
the tusk aside in time." He then rose, leaving the knife
in the boar, which turned over dead, bleeding still more
profusely from the mouth even than from the wound.
Charles, surrounded by a crowd of courtiers, all sending
forth cries of terror, seemed for a moment about to fall
by the dead boar ; but recovering himself, he turned to
the King of Navarre, with his eyes beaming with the first
ray of sensibility that had touched his heart for full four-
and-twenty years.
" Thanks ! Harry," said he.
" My poor brother/' said D'Alenc,on, coming up to him.
" Ah, is that you, D'Alenqon ! " cried the king. " Well,
famous marksman that you are, where is your ball ?"
" It must have flattened upon the boar, no doubt."
" Eh, mon Dieu" said Henry, with an air of surprise,
admirably feigned, ' ' your ball has broken the leg of the
king's horse. How very singular ! "
"Ah ! is that so ?" said the king.
" Perhaps," replied the duke, all consternation ; " my
hand trembled so."
" Humph ! for a first-rate marksman you made a most
curious shot, D'Alenqon," said Charles, frowning ; " once
more, Harry, thanks ! "
Marguerite advanced to congratulate the king, and thank
her husband.
" Oh, by my faith, Margot, you may well thank him,
heartily," said Charles ; " but for him the King of France
would be Henry III."
" Alas, madame," returned Henry, " M. d'Anjou, who
is already my enemy, will be more than ever so, now ; but
every one does what he can. Ask M. d'Alenqon else "
And, stooping down, he withdrew his knife from the
body of the boar, and plunged it several times into the
earth to cleanse it from the blood.
276 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" And now, ladies and gentlemen," said the king,
" homeward 1 I have had enough for one day."
CHAPTER XXXII.
FRATERNITY.
IN saving the life of Charles, Henry had done more than
save the life of a man he had prevented three kingdoms
from changing sovereigns.
Had Charles IX. been killed, the Duke d'Anjou would
have been King of France, and the Duke d'Alei^on most
probably King of Poland. As to Navarre, as the Duke
d'Anjou was enamored of Madame de Conde, that crown
would in all probability have paid the husband for the
complaisance of his wife.
In all this confusion, nothing beneficial would have
arisen for Henry. He would have changed his master,
that was all ; and instead of Charles IX., who tolerated
him, he would have seen the Duke d'Anjou on the throne,
who, having but one head and one heart with his mother
Catherine, had sworn his death, and would have kept his
oath.
These were the ideas that floated throagh his brain when
the wild boar had rushed on King Charles, and we have
seen the result of this reflection, rapid as lightning, that
the life of Charles IX. was bound up with his own exist-
ence.
Charles IX., then, was saved by a devotion, whose
spring and action he could not comprehend. Marguerite,
however, had comprehended it fully, and had admired the
strange courage of Henry, which, like lightning, shone
only in the dark.
Henry, as he returned to Bondy, reflected deeply on his
situation, and when he reached the Louvre, he had re-
solved on his plan of action. Without taking off his boots,
but all dusty and covered with blood as he was, he went
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 277
to the Duke d'Aler^on, whom he found greatly agitated,
and pacing hastily up and down his chamber.
The prince started when he saw him.
" Yes," said Henry, to him, taking both his hands, " yes,
I understand, my good brother, you are angry with me,
because I was the first to call the king's attention to the
fact of your ball having struck his horse's leg instead of
the boar, as was your aim. But I could not repress an ex-
clamation, and besides, the king had perceived it."
"Doubtless, doubtless I" muttered D'Alengon ; "yet I
cannot but attribute to a bad intention your pointing out
this fact, which yon must have seen has made my brother
Charles suspicious of my purpose, and thiown a cloud be-
tween us."
" We will talk of this anon ; and as to my good or bad
intention, I have come now to make you a judge of that."
" Humph," said D'Alenqon.
" My brother, your interests are too dear to me to allow
me to keep from you that the Huguenots have made me
certain proposals "
" Proposals ? what sort of proposals ?"
" One of the leaders, M. de Mouy de Saint- Phale, and
son of the brave De Mouy assassinated by Maurevel, has
been with me at the risk of his life, to prove to me tliat I
was in captivity."
"Ah, indeed, and what reply did you make ?"
" My brother, you know how tenderly I love Charles,
who saved my life ; and that the queen-mother has been a
mother to me. I have therefore refused, all the offers he
made me."
*' And what were these offers ? "
" The Huguenots wished to reconstitute the throne of
Navarre ; and as in reality this throne belonged to me by
inheritance, they offered it to me."
" Yes, and M. de Mouy, instead of the adhesion he had
entreated, received your refusal ? "
" Most decidedly ; but since " continued Henry.
" You have repented, my brother ? " interrupted D'Alen-
278 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" No ; but I have found that M. de Mouy, enraged at
my refusal, has cast his eyes in another direction."
" Whither ? " asked Fra^ois, quickly.
" I do not know ; on the Prince de Cond6, perchance."
"Very probably/' was the reply.
<e I have, however, a certain means of ascertaining the
chief he has selected."
Frai^ois became very pale.
"But," continued Henry, "the Huguenots are divided
amongst themselves ; and De Mouy, brave and loyal as he
is, represents but one half the party. Now, the other half,
which is not to be despised, has not lost all hope of seeing
on the throne that Henry of Navarre, who, after having
hesitated in the first instance, may have reflected after-
wards."
" Do you think so ?"
" I have daily proofs of this. The troop that joined us
at the hunt did you remark the men who composed it ?"
" Yes ; they were converted gentlemen."
" The chief of this troop, who made me a sign did you
recognize him ? "
" Yes ; it vas the Vicomte de Tnrenne."
" Did you understand what they wished ? "
" Yes ; they proposed to you to fly."
" Then," said Henry, " it is evident that there is a second
party with different views from M. de Mony, and that
a very powerful one ; so that, in order to succeed, it is
requisite to unite the two parties, Turenne and De Mouy.
The conspiracy strengthens troops are ready they but
await the signal and between my two resolutions I waver ;
and have, therefore, come to submit them to you as a
friend."
" Say rather as a brother ! "
" First, let me expose the state of my mind, my dear
Fran9ois : no desire, nc ambition, no capacity. I am a
good sort of country gentleman poor, indolent, and timid ;
the idea of conspirator presents to me a chance of disgrace,
badly compensated by even the assured perspective of a
crown."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 279
"Ah, my brother!" said Frai^ois, "you are wrong;
" nothing can be more pitiable than the position of a prince
whose fortune is limited by a landmark, or by some indi-
vidual in the career of honor. I cannot, therefore, credit
what you say."
"Yet I speak only the truth, my brother," was Henry's
reply ; " and if I could believe that I had a real friend, I
would resign in his favor all the power which the party at-
tached to me would confer ; but," he added with a sigh,
"I have not one."
"Perhaps you are mistaken."
" No, ventre-saint-gris ! " cried Henry. " Except your-
self, brother, I see no one who is attached to me ; and
then, I must inform my brother the king of all that is
going on. I will name no person I will not mention
country, nor date ; but I will prevent the catastrophe."
" Grand Dieu I " exclaimed D'Alencon, who could not
repress his alarm ; " what are you saying ? You, the sole
hope of the party since the admiral's death ; you, a con-
verted Huguenot scarce converted, as it would seem
would you raise the knife against your brothers ? Henry,
Henry, in doing that you will hand over to a second Saint
Bartholomew all the Calvinists of the kingdom I Do you
know that Catherine only awaits such an opportunity to
exterminate all the survivors ? "
And the trembling duke, his face marked with red and
livid spots, pressed Henry's hand, in his eagerness to make
him promise to renounce a resolution which must destroy
him.
"What !" said Henry, with an air of much surprise,
" do you think, Franqois, that so many misfortunes must
then occur ? Yet it seems to me that, with the king's
guarantee, I could save the imprudent partisans."
"The guarantee of King Charles the Ninth, Henry?
Did not the admiral have it ? Teligny ? yourself ? Ah,
Henry ! I tell you, if you do this, you destroy them all ;
not only them, but also all directly or indirectly connected
with them."
Henry appeared to reflect for a moment :
280 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" If," he said, " I were an important prince at court, I
should act otherwise ; in your place, for instance, Franyois,
a son of France, and probable heir to the throne."
Fran9ois shook his head skeptically, and said, " What
would you do in my place ? "
" In your place, my brother," replied Henry, " I should
put myself at the head of this movement. My name and
credit would answer to my conscience for the life of the
seditious ; and I would derive from it something useful
for myself, in the first instance, and then for the king ;
and this from an enterprise which otherwise may terminate
in great mischief for France."
D'Alen9on listened to these words with a joy which ex-
panded all the muscles of his face, and replied :
" Do you think this practicable, and will avoid all those
evils which you foresee ? "
" I do/' said Henry. "The Huguenots like you your
modest exterior, your situation, elevated and interesting
at the same time, and the kindness you have always evinced
to those of the Reformed faith, induce them to serve you."
" But," said D'Alen9on, " there is a schism in the party :
will those who are for you be for me ? "
" I will undertake to conciliate them, on two grounds. *
" What are they ? "
" In the first place, through the confidence which the
chiefs have in me ; then from their fear when your high-
ness, knowing their names But without further per-
suasion, my brother, take up this matter. Eeign in Na-
varre ; and so that you keep for me a place at your table
and a good forest for hunting, I shall be perfectly happy/*
" Reign in Navarre ! " said the duke ; " but if "
" If the Duke d'Anjou is named King of Poland ? you
would say."
FranQois cast a look of terror on Henry.
" If the Duke d'Anjou is nominated King of Poland,
and our brother Charles (whom God preserve !) should
die, it is but two hundred leagues from Pan to Paris,
whilst it is four hundred from Paris to Cracow ; and you
would be here to claim the inheritance at the moment
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. . 281
when the King of Poland would only have learned of its
being vacated. Then, if you are satisfied with me, Fran-
gois, you may give me this kingdom of Navarre, which
will then be only one of the offshoots of your crown.
Under these circumstances I would accept it. The worst
that can arrive is, to remain king there, and live en familU
with me and my wife ; whilst here, what are you ? a
poor, persecuted prince, a poor third son of the king, a
slave of two elder brothers, whom a caprice may send to
the Bastille."
" Yes, yes," said Frangois : " I feel all this so well, that
I cannot understand how you renounce all the hopes that
you propose for me."
"There are," said Henry, with a smile, "burdens too
heavy for certain hands. I shall not try to lift this
one."
" Then, Henry, you really renounce ?"
" I said so to De Mouy, and I repeat it to you."
" But in such cases, brother," said D'Alengon, " men
do not say, they prove."
" I will prove it this evening," was the reply ; ' at nine
o'clock, the list of the chiefs and the plan of the enterprise
shall be in your hands."
Frangois took Henry's hand, and pressed it with fervor.
At the same moment, Catherine entered the apartment,
and, as usual, without being announced.
"Together," she said, with a smile, "like two loving
brothers."
"I hope so, madame," replied Henry, with the utmost
composure, whilst the Duke d'Alengon turned pale with
agony.
The queen-mother then took from her gypsire a magnifi-
cent jewel, and said to Frangois (from whom Henry had
receded several paces), " This clasp comes from Florence,
and I give it you to fasten your sword ; " then she added,
in a low voice : " If you should hear any noise this eve-
ning in the apartment of your good brother Henry,
do not heed it."
Frangois grasped his mother's hand, and said : " Will
282 * MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
you allow me to show him the handsome present you have
just made me ? "
" Do still better ; give it to him in your own and my
name, for I had ordered a second for that purpose."
"Do you hear, Henry?" said Frangois ; "my good
mother brings me this jewel, and redoubles its value by
allowing me to offer it to you."
Henry went into rapture sat the beauty of the jewel,
and was profuse in his thanks.
" My son/' said Catherine, " I do not feel well, and am
going to bed. Your brother Charles is much shaken by
his fall, and wishes to do the same thing. We shall not,
therefore, all sup together. Ah, Henry ! I forgot to com-
pliment you on your courage and skill : you have saved
your king and brother, and you must be recompensed for
such high service."
"I am recompensed already," replied Henry, with a
bow.
" By the feeling that you have done your duty ? " was
Catherine's reply ; " but that is not enough for Charles
and myself, and we must devise some means of requiting
our obligations towards you."
"All that may come from you and my good brother
must be welcome, madame," was Henry's reply ; and,
bowing, he left the apartment.
" Ah, my worthy brother Frangois ! " thought Henry,
as he went out ; "no, I am sure not to go away alone ;
and the conspiracy, which had a heart, has now found a
head, and what is still better, this head is responsible to
me for my own : only let us be on our guard. Catherine
has made me a present Catherine promises me a recom-
pense ; there is some devilry or other, then, brewing, and
I will have a conversation this evening with Marguerite."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 283
CHAPTEE XXXIII.
THE GRATITUDE OF KING CHARLES THE NINTH.
MAUREVEL had remained for a portion of the day in the
king's armory ; and when Catherine saw the moment
approach of the return from the chase, she had desired
him and his satellites to pass into her oratory.
Charles IX., informed by his nurse, on his arrival, who
the man was, and remembering the order his mother had
extracted from him in the morning, understood every-
thing.
" Ah, ah ! " he murmured, " the time is ill-chosen, on
the very day on which he has saved my life."
And he was about to go to his mother, but suddenly
changed his intention.
" Mordieu ! " he exclaimed, " if I speak to her of it,
what a discussion will ensue ! We had better act each for
one's self. Nurse," he continued, " shut all the doors,
and inform the Queen Elizabeth " (Charles IX. was mar-
ried to Elizabeth of Austria, daughter of Maximilian),
" that, being rather unwell from my fall, I shall sleep in
my own apartment to-night."
The nurse obeyed ; and as the hour for his plan had not
arrived, Charles began to write verses. It was the occu-
pation in which he most delighted : and thus nine o'clock
struck, when Charles thought it was only seven. He
counted the strokes one after the other, and at the last he
rose : " Nom d'un didble! " he exclaimed, " it is precisely
the time."
Taking his cloak and hat, he went out by a secret door
which he had made in the paneling, and of the existence
of which Catherine herself was ignorant.
Charles went straight to Henry's apartment. Henry
had only gone thither to change his dress, when he left
the Duke d'Alenc,on, and had then left it instantly.
DUMAS YOL. III. 13
284 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" He mnst have gone to sup with Marguerite," said the
king to himself ; " he was on the befit possible terms with
her ; at least, it appeared so to me ; " and he went towards
Marguerite's apartment.
Marguerite had invited to her rooms the Duchess de
Nevers, Coconnas, and La Mole, and they were enjoying
a repast of pastry and sweetmeats.
Charles knocked at the door : Gillonne went to open it,
and was so frightened at the sight of the king, that she
could scarcely curtsey to him ; and instead of running to
inform her mistress of the august visit which was paid
her, she allowed Charles to pass her without any other
signal than the cry she had uttered.
The king crossed the antechamber, and, guided by the
shouts and laughter, advanced towards the dining-room.
" Poor Harry ! " he ejaculated, " he is making merry,
quite unconscious of his danger."
" Tis I ! " he said, aloud, and raising the tapestry, pre-
sented his face, which was all smiling.
Marguerite uttered a terrible cry. All joyous as was
the king's face, it produced on her the effect of a Medusa's
head. She had recognized Charles.
The two men had their backs turned to the king.
" His majesty ! " she exclaimed, in a tone of affright,
and she rose from her seat.
Coconnas, whilst the three others felt quite bewildered,
was the only one who preserved his presence of mind.
He also rose, but with well-contrived awkwardness, upset
the table, with its glass, plates, and wax lights ; and in a
moment there was complete darkne'ss, and the silence of
death.
" Steal off ! " said Coconnas to La Mole ; " quick quick,
and cleverly."
La Mole did not wait for a second hint, but feeling
along the wall with his hands, groped his way into the
bedchamber, that he might hide in the closet he knew so
well.
But as he entered the sleeping room, he came in con-
tact with a man who entered by the secret passage.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 285
' What can all this mean ? " said Charles, in the dark,
with a voice that was beginning to sound very impatiently ;
" am I an intruder, that on my appearance such a scene
of confusion takes place. Harry Harry ! where are you ?
answer me ! "
" We are saved ! " whispered Marguerite, taking a hand
which she supposed to be that of Coconnas ; " the king
thinks that my husband is one of the guests."
" And he shall think so still, madame, be assured," said
Henry himself to the queen, in the same tone.
" Grand Dieu ! " exclaimed Marguerite, suddenly quit-
ting her grasp of the hand she held.
" Hush ! " said Henry.
" In the name of ten thousand devils ! what are you all
whispering for ? " cried Charles. " Henry, answer
where are you ? "
" I am here, sire," said the voice of the King of
Navarre.
" The devil ! " said Coconnas ; " the plot thickens."
"And we are doubly lost," added the Duchess de
Nevers.
Coconnas, brave even to rashness, had reflected that at
last the candles must be lighted, and thinking the sooner
the better, left the hand of the Duchess de Nevers, which
he had hitherto held in his own, picked up a taper, and
going to the stove, lighted it.
The room was thus again illuminated, and Charles cast
an inquiring glance around.
Henry was close to his wife ; the Duchess de Nevers
was alone in a corner ; and Coconnas, standing in the
middle of the chamber with his candle in his hand, lighted
up the whole scene.
"Excuse us, brother," said Marguerite; "we did not
expect you."
' And so your majesty, as you may see, has frightened ns
not a little," said Henriette.
"For my part," added Henry, who at once compre-
hended the whole, " I was so startled that I upset the
table."
286 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Coconnas gave the King of Navarre a look which im-
plied :
" I like that ! here's a husband who knows what he is
about."
"What a complete upset," said Charles. "Harry,
your supper is regularly spoiled so come with me, and
yon shall finish it elsewhere. I mean to carry you off this
evening."
" What, sire ! " said Henry ; "your majesty will do me
that honor ? "
" Yes, my majesty will do you the honor to take you
from the Louvre. Lend him to me, Marguerite, and I
will bring him back again to-morrow morning."
" Ah, brother,"- replied Marguerite, " you have no need
of my permission for that ; you are master here, as every-
where else."
" Sire," said Henry, " I will just go for another cloak,
and return immediately."
" There's no occasion ; the one you have on is quite
good enough."
" But, sire," began the Bearnais.
" I tell you not to return to your apartments, mille noms
d'un d'iable ! don't you hear what I say ? Come along ! "
"Yes yes, go!" said Marguerite, pressing her hus-
band's arm, for a singular look of Charles's had convinced
her that something remarkable was going on.
" I am ready, sire," said Henry.
But Charles was looking very steadfastly at Coconnas,
who continued his office of torch-bearer, by lighting the
other candles.
" Who is this gentleman ? " he inquired of Henry, still
gazing on the Piedmontese ; " is it M. de la Mole ? "
" Who has mentioned M. de la Mole to him ? " thought
Marguerite.
" No, sire," replied Henry ; " M. de la Mole is not here,
and I regret it the more, as I cannot have the honor of
presenting him to your majesty as well as his friend, M. de
Coconnas : they are inseparables, and are both in the suite
of M. d'Alen9on."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 287
ff Ah T ah ! of our famous marksman ! " said Charles ;
then frowning, he added, " Is not M. de la Mole a Hugue-
not ? "
" Converted, sire," said Henry ; " and I answer for him
as for myself."
" When you answer for any one, Harry, after what you
have done to-day, I have no right to doubt you. But no
matter. I should have liked to see M. de la Mole, but
some other time will do ; " and then, looking again around
the chamber, Charles kissed Marguerite, and took away
the King of Navarre, holding him by the arm.
At the gate of the Louvre, Henry stopped to speak to
some one.
" Come, come along quickly, Harry/' said Charles.
" When I tell you the air of the Louvre is not good for
you this evening, why the devil don't you believe me ? "
" Ventre-saint-gris ! " murmured Henry, " and De Mouy
will be all alone in my room ; if the air is not good forme,
it must be worse for him."
They ciossed the drawbridge, and the king giving a pe-
culiar whistle, four gentlemen who were waiting in the
Eue de Beauvais joined them, and they all advanced into
the city.
The clock struck ten.
"Well !" said Marguerite, when the King and Henry
had gone, "let us sit down again to table."
"No, ma foi!" said the duchess; "I am too much
frightened. The little house in the Eue Cloche-Percee
forever ! No one can enter there without laying a regular
siege, and our brave friends could use their swords."
Coconnas went to the cabinet.
" Well ! " said a voice in the darkness, ' ' what has hap-
pened ? "
" Eh, mordi! we are now at the dessert."
" And the King of Navarre ?"
"Has seen nothing." '
"And King Charles?"
" Ah ! the king has taken off the husband."
" No, really 1 "
288 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Yes, and the ladies have a pilgrimage to make towards
the Rue du Roi-de-Sicile, and we must guard the pilgrims."
" Impossible ! you know that "
" Why impossible ? "
"Why, are we not in the service of his royal highness ?"
The two friends represented their position to their fair
friends and Madame de Nevers said :
" Well, then, we will go without you."
The two young men made their bows, and proceeded to
the Duke d'Alenqon, who seemed to be awaiting them.
" You are rather late, gentlemen," was his remark.
" Scarcely ten o'clock, monseigneur," replied Coconnas.
The duke looked at his watch.
" True, but yet everybody in the Louvre is in bed."
"Monseigneur," said Coconnas, "your highness, no
doubt, will go to bed, or write "
"No, gentlemen, lean dispense with your services until
to-morrow morning."
The two young men ran up-stairs as speedily as possible,
took their cloaks and night-swords, and hastening out of
the Louvre, overtook the two ladies at the corner of the
Hue du Coq-Saint-Hojuore.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
MAN" PROPOSES, BUT GOD DISPOSES.
As the duke said, everything was silent at the Louvre.
Marguerite and Madame de Nevers had gone to the Rue
Cloche-Percee ; Cocounas and La Mole had followed them ;
the king and Henry were roving about in the city ; the
Duke d'Alengon was anxiously watching the accomplish-
ment of the events his mother had alluded to, and Cather-
ine was in bed, listening to Madame de Sauve, who read
to her certain Italian tales, at which the worthy queen
laughed heartily.
" Let me know," said Catherine, " if my daughter, the
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 289
Queen of Navarre, is in her apartments, and if she is, beg
her to come and keep me company."
The page to whom this order was addressed left the
room, and soon returned, accompanied by Gillonne.
" I sent for the queen," said Catherine, "not for her
attendant."
" Madame," replied Gillonne, " I thought it my duty
to come myself, to inform your majesty that the Queen
of Navarre is gone out with the Duchess de Nevers."
" Out at this hour ! " said Catherine, frowning ; " where
is she gone ? "
"To a meeting of alchemists, at the H6tel de Guise, in
the apartments of Madame de Nevers."
" And when will she return ? "
' The meeting will not break up until very late," replied
Gillonne, " so that it is probable her majesty will sleep at
the Hotel de Guise."
"She is very happy," murmured Catherine ; "she has
friends, and is a queen ; she wears a crown, and is called
your majesty, and she has no subjects."
Gillonne made her curtsey, and left the room.
" Go on, Charlotte," said the queen.
Madame de Sauve obeyed.
In ten minutes Catherine stopped her.
" Oh, by the way," said she, " dismiss the guards in the
gallery."
This was the signal agreed upon with Maurevel.
The order was executed, and Madame de Sauve con-
tinued.
She had read for a quarter of an hour, when a long and
piercing cry was heard, that made the hair of all in the
chamber stand on end.
A pistol-shot followed.
" Well," said Catherine, " why do you not go on read-
ing?"
" Madame," replied Charlotte, turning deadly pale ;
"did not your majesty hear ? "
" What ? " asked Catherine,
" That cry ! "
19
290 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
" And that pistol-shot ? " added the captain of the
guards.
" A cry and a pistol-shot ! " said Catherine, " I heard
them not ; besides, a cry and a pistol-shot are nothing so
very extraordinary at the Louvre. Read on, Carlotta."
"But listen, madame," said Madame de Sauve, whilst
M. de Nancey stood grasping his sword-hilt, not daring to
leave the apartment withont the queen's permission.,"!
hear struggling, imprecations "
" Shall I go and see, madame ?" asked De Nancey.
" No, sir," returned Catherine. " Who will be here to
protect me in case of danger ? It is only some drunken
Swiss quarreling."
The tranquillity of the queen contrasted so strangely
with the alarm of every one else, that Madame de Sauve,
timid as she was, fixed her eyes inquiringly on her.
" But, madame," said she, "it is as if they were killing
some one."
" Whom do you think they are killing ? "
" The King of Navarre, madame ; for the noise comes
from his apartments."
" The fool ! " murmured the queen, whose lips, spite of
the control she had over herself, were strangely agitated,
for she was muttering a prayer ; " the fool i she sees her
King of Navarre everywhere."
" Mon Dieu ! mon Dieu ! " said Madame de Sauve, sink-
ing into her chair.
"It is over," said Catherine. "Captain/' continued
she, addressing M. de Nancey, " I hope that to-morrow
you will inquire into this, and punish the culprits severely.
Continue, Carlotta."
And Catherine sank back on her pillow in a state that
seemed near akin to fainting, for her attendants remarked
large drops of perspiration on her face.
Madame de Sauve obeyed, but her eyes and her voice
alone were engaged. She fancied she saw him most dear
to her, surrounded by deadly perils, and after a mental
struggle of some minutes, her voice failed her, the book
fell from her hands, and she fainted.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 291
Suddenly a still more violent noise than before was
heard, a hasty step shook the corridor, two more pistol-
shots made the window-panes shake. Catherine, astonished
at this renewal of the strife, rose ; she was deadly pale, her
eyes were dilated, and at the moment De Nancey was about
to rush from the apartment, she seized his arm, saying :
" Let every one stay here ; I will go myself and see
what is the matter."
Thus it was : De Mouy had received that morning, from
the hands of Orthon, the key of Henry's chamber ; in the
key he remarked a small roll of paper, which he took out
and found it to contain the pass-word at the Louvre for
the night.
Orthon had, moreover, given him the king's directions
to be at the Louvre at ten o'clock.
At half-past nine, De Mouy put on his armor, but-
toned a silken doublet on it, buckled over his sword, placed
his pistols in his belt, and covered all with the famous
cherry mantle.
We have seen how Henry thought fit to pay Marguerite
a visit before entering his own apartments, and how he
arrived by the secret passage just in time to run against
La Mole in Marguerite's chamber, and to take his place
in the supper-room. Precisely at this moment, De Mouy
passed the wicket of the Louvre, and, thanks to the pass-
word and the cherry mantle, entered the palace without
obstacle.
He went straight to the King of Navarre's apartments,
imitating, as well as he could, La Mole's walk and manner.
He found Orthon waiting for him in the antechamber.
" Sire de Mouy," said the mountaineer, " the king has
gone out, but he has ordered me to conduct you to his
chamber, where you are to wait ; should he not come un-
til late, he desires you will lie down on his bed."
De Mouy entered, without asking further explanation.
In order to fill up the time, De Mouy took pen and pa-
per, and approaching an excellent map of France that
hung on the wall, set himself to count the stages from
Paris to Pau.
292 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
This did not occupy him long, and when he had finished
he was at a loss what to do.
He walked np and down the room a few times, yawned,
and then, profiting by Henry's invitation, and by the
familiarity that then existed between princes and their
gentlemen, placed his pistols and the lamp on the table,
laid his drawn sword by his side, and secure against sur-
prise, for an attendant was watching in the outer cham-
ber, soon slept soundly.
It was then that six men, sword and dagger in hand,
glided noiselessly along the corridor that communicated
with Henry's apartments.
One of these men walked in front ; besides his sword
and dagger, he had pistols attached to his belt by silver
hooks. This man was Maurevel. Arrived at Henry's
door, he stopped.
" Are you quite sure all the sentinels are gone ? " asked
he.
" There is not one left," replied his lieutenant.
"Good," said Maurevel ; "now let us see whether he
we come for is here."
" Poor devil of a king ! " said one of the men ; " it
was written on high he should not escape."
" And here also," said Maurevel, pointing to the order
in his girdle.
Maurevel placed the key Catherine had given him in
the lock, and leaving two men at the door, passed with
the others into the antechamber.
" Ah," said he, hearing, even from that distance, the
loud breathing of the sleeper ; " it seems we have got
him !
Orthon, thinking it was his master, advanced and found
himself in the presence of five armed men. At t^he sight
of their sinister faces, and more particularly at that of
Maurevel, he recoiled, and planted himself before the
second door.
" Who are you?" said Orthon; " and what do you want? "
" In the king's name," said Maurevel, " where is your
master?"
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 293
" He is absent. "
" 'Tis false ! " replied Maurevel. " Stand back ! "
Orthon seized the handle of the door.
" You shall not enter ! " cried he.
At a sign from Maurevel, the four men grasped the
faithful page, tore him from his hold, and as he was about
to cry out, Maurevel placed his hand on his mouth. Or-
thon bit the assassin furiously, who uttered a suppressed
cry and struck him on the head with the pommel of his
sword. Orthon fell, crying, " Treason ! treason ! "
His voice failed him, and he fainted.
The assassins passed over his body : two stationed them-
selves at the second door, and the three others, led by
Maurevel, entered the bed-chamber.
By the light of the lamp they saw the bed : the curtains
were closed. " Oh," said the lieutenant, " he snores no
longer ! "
" Now, then upon him ! " replied Maurevel.
At this voice, a hoarse cry, more like the roar of a lion
than the voice of a human being, was heard, the curtains
were violently drawn back, and a man in a cuirass and
steel cap appeared sitting on the bed, a pistol in each
hand, and his drawn sword on his knees. At this sight,
Manrevel's hair stood on end ; he turned deadly pale, and
recoiled as if he had seen a specter.
Suddenly, the armed figure rose and advanced towards
Maurevel, as he retreated, so that it was he who seemed
to fly, and De Mouy who seemed to pursue.
" Ah, scoundrel ! " said De Mouy ; " you are come to
murder me, as you murdered my father ! "
The two guards who were with Maurevel alone heard
these terrible words ; but as they were uttered, one of De
Mouy's pistols was leveled at Maurevel's head. The ruf-
fian sank on his knees at the instant De Mony pulled the
trigger, and one of the guards, whom he uncovered by
this movement, fell with a bullet in his heart ; Maurevel
instantly fired in return, but the ball glanced off De Mouy's
cuirass.
Then, measuring the distance and calculating his spring,
294 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
De Mouy, with a back stroke of his large sword, cleft the
skull of the second guard, and turning to Maurevel, crossed
weapons with him.
The combat was terrible, but brief : at the fourth pass,
Maurevel'felt De Mouy's sword in his throat ; he uttered
a low groan, and fell, upsetting the lamp, which was ex-
tinguished in the fall.
Agile and powerful as one of Homer's heroes, De Mouy
sprang boldly forward, favored by the obscurity, into the
antechamber, felled one of the guards to the earth, sent
the other staggering from him, passed like lightning be-
tween the two at the outer door, escaped two pistol-shots
fired at him, the balls of which grazed the corridor, and
was then safe, for besides the sword with which he dealt
such fearful blows he had a loaded pistol.
He hesitated an instant whether he should enter D'Alen-
9on's apartments, the door of which seemed ajar, or escape
from the Louvre : resolving upon the latter course, he
sprang down the stairs, arrived at the wicket, pronounced
the pass-word, adding : " Go up-stairs ! they are killing
on the king's account."
And availing himself of the stupefaction produced by the
report of the pistols and his own words, he disappeared
in the Rue du Coq, without having received a scratch.
It was at this moment that Catherine stopped M. de
Nancey, saying :
" Stay here ; I will go myself and see what is the matter."
Then, taking a lamp, and passing her naked feet into
slippers, Catherine advanced, pale as a specter, along the
corridor, full of smoke, towards Henry's apartments.
All was silent.
She arrived at the door, entered, and found Orthon
senseless on the threshold.
" Oh," said she, " here is the servant ; we shall soon
find the master : " and she approached the second door.
There her foot struck against a corpse ; she turned the
lamp upon it ; it was the guard whose skull had been
cleft : he was quite dead. A little further lay the lieu-
tenant, with the death-rattle in his throat.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 295
Besides the bed was a man who, pale as death, was bleed-
ing fast from a double wound in his throat, and who,
clenching his hands convulsively, strove to raise him-
self.
It was Maurevel.
Catherine shuddered ; she saw the bed deserted ; she
eagerly looked around the room, and in vain sought amongst
the three corpses for the one she so earnestly desired to be-
hold.
Maurevel knew Catherine, and stretched out his hand
towards her with a desperate movement.
" Where is he ? " said she. " Have you let him es-
cape ? "
Maurevel strove to speak, but a bloody foam covered his
lips, and he could only feebty shake his head.
" Speak ! " cried the queen ; " speak, if it be but one
word ! "
Maurevel pointed to his wound, and after a desperate
effort to utter something, fainted.
She looked around her . there were none but the dead
and the dying there : blood flowed in every direction, and
silence reigned in the chamber. She spoke again to
Maurevel, but in vain ; a paper was in his girdle it was
the order for Henry's arrest ; Catherine seized it, and
concealed it beneath her robe.
At this instant she heard a slight noise behind her, and
turning round, she perceived D'Alenc.on, who had been
drawn thither by the noise.
' ' You here, Fra^ois ? " said she.
" Yes, madame. For God's sake, what does this
mean ? "
" Eetire to your apartments ; you will know soon
enough."
D'Alen9on, however, was not so ignorant of what had
passed as Catherine imagined. Seeing men enter the
King of Navarre's apartments, he guessed what was to
happen, and was secretly rejoiced at having so dangerous
an enemy disposed of by a hand more powerful than his
own.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Soon the noise of firearms and the steps of a fugitive
attracted his attention, and he saw Red Mantle disappear.
" De Mouy ! " cried he ; "De Mouy with my brother-
in-law, or can it be La Mole ? "
He began to feel alarmed.
Wishing to assure himself, he ascended to his apart-
ment ; no one was there, but the cherry-colored mantle
was hanging against the wall. It was, then, De Mouy.
Pale as death, and trembling lest De Mouy had been taken
prisoner, and betrayed the secrets of the conspiracy, he
rushed to the wicket, where he was informed De Mouy
had passed, saying that some one was being killed on the
king's account.
" He was mistaken," muttered d'Alenc.on ; " it is on
the queen-mother's account."
And returning to the scene of combat, he found Cath-
erine prowling like a hyaena amongst the dead.
Catherine, in despair at the failure of this new attempt,
called De Nancey, had the bodies removed, and Maurevel
conveyed to his own house, and forbade them to wake the
king.
" Oh/' murmured she, as she entered her apartment,
her head sank on her bosom ; "he has again escaped
the hand of God protects him. He will reign he will
reign ! "
Then, as she opened her door, she assumed a smile.
" Oh, madame, what was the matter ? ' demanded every
one except Madame de Sauve, who was too frightened to
ask any questions.
"Oh, nothing," replied the queen; "only a noise;
nothing more."
" But," cried Madame de Sauve, suddenly, " every
step your majesty takes leaves a trace of blood on the
carpet 1 "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 297
CHAPTEE XXXV.
THE TWO KINGS.
CHARLES IX. walked arm in arm with Henry, followed
by his four gentlemen, and preceded by two torch-
bearers.
"When I quit the Louvre," said the poor king, " I ex-
perience a pleasure like that I feel when I enter a fine
forest I breathe, I live, I am free ! "
Henry smiled.
" Your majesty would be happy in my mountains in
Beam, then ? " was his reply.
" Yes, and I can understand how desirous you are to
return there ; but if the desire comes very strong upon you,
Harry, added Charles, laughing, "be careful, for my
mother Catherine is so very fond of you, that she really
cannot do without you."
The two kings, followed by their escort, had reached
the Hotel de Conde, when they observed two men, wrapped
in long cloaks, come forth from a private door, which one
of them closed carefully.
" Oh, oh ! " said the king to Henry, " this deserves our
attention. You, Harry, are sure of your wife " (Charles
smiled as he said this), "but your cousin De Cond6 is not
so sure of his ; or if he is sure, devil fetch me ! but he is
very wrong/'
" But how do you know, sire, that it is Madame de
Conde these gentlemen have come to visit ? "
" A presentiment. They have seen us, and try to avoid
notice ; and then the peculiar cut of one of their mantles.
Par Dieu ! it would be strange ! "
" What ? "
"Nothing, only an idea; but let us advance towards
them."
298 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
And he went towards the two men, who, thns seeing
that they mVst be accosted, made several steps in a con-
trary direction.
" Hola ! messieurs/* said the king ; " stop ! "
" Do you address us ? " said a voice, which made Charles
and his companion start.
"Ah, Harry !" said Charles, "do you recognize that
voice, now ? "
" Sire/' replied Henry, " if your brother, the Duke
d'Anjou, were not at Kochelle, I should swear it was he
who just spoke/'
" Well then/' said Charles, " he is not at Kochelle."
" But who is with him ? "
" A man whose figure can hardly be mistaken. Hola !
I say," continued the king, " did you not hear me ?"
" Are you the watch, to apprehend us ? " asked the taller
of the two men, thrusting forth his hand from the lolds
of his mantle.
" Assume that we are the watch/' said the king, "and
stand when you are desired."
Then, whispering Henry, he added, "Now you will see
the volcano spit forth flames."
" There are eight of you," replied the taller cf the two
men, showing not only his arm but his face ; " but were
you a hundred, 1 bid you keep your distance."
" Ah, ah ! the Duke de Guise ! " said Henry.
" Ah ! our cousin of Lorraine," said the king ; " it is
you, is it ? How fortunate ! "
" The king ! " exclaimed the duke.
As to the other personage, he wrapped himself up still
closer in his mantle, and remained motionless, after hav-
ing first uncovered his head respectfully.
" Sire," said the Duke de Guise, " I have just been
paying a visit to my sister-in-law, Madame de CondeV'
"Yes, and have brought one of your gentlemen with
yon. Pray, who is he ? "
"Sire," replied the duke, "your majesty does not know
him."
"Then we will make his acquaintance now," said the
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 299
king ; and going towards him, he desired the two men to
approach with their flambeaux.
" Pardon, my brother," said the Duke d' Anjou, opening
his mantle, and bowing with ill-concealed vexation.
"Ah, ah, Henry ! What, is it you ? But no, it cannot
be possible. I am deceived. My brother of Anjou would
never have gone to see any person without first coming to
see me. He is not ignorant that for princes of the blood
there is only one entrance in Paris, and that is by the gate
of the Louvre."
" Pardon me, sire," said the Duke d' Anjou. ' ' I entreat
your majesty to forgive this breach of etiquette/'
" Of course," replied the king in a jeering tone ; " and
what were you doing, brother, at the Hotel de Conde ? "
"Why," said the King of Navarre, with his peculiar
air, " what your majesty alluded to but just now ; " and
he laughed loudly.
" And wherefore," asked the Duke de Guise, with
hauteur, for, like the rest of the world, he behaved very
rudely to the poor King of Navarre, " should I not visit
my sister-in-law ? Does not the Duke d'Alen9on visit his ? "
Henry's cheek turned red.
"What sister-in-law ?" remarked Charles ; " I do not
know of any other he has than the Queen Elizabeth."
" Your pardon, sire ; it was his sister I should have
said Madame Marguerite, whom we saw as we came hith-
er half-an-hour since, in her litter, accompanied by two
sparks, one on each side."
" Eeally ? " said Charles ; " what do you say to that,
Henry ? "
" That the Queen of Navarre is free to go where she
pleases ; but I doubt her having quitted the Louvre/'
" And I am sure of it," said the Duke de Guise.
" And I also," said the Duke d'Anjou ; " and the litter
stopped in the Rue Cloche- Percee."
"Your sister-in-law, then not this one, but the other,"
and he pointed his finger in the direction of the H6tel de
Guise, " must be also of the party, for we left them to-
gether, and they are, as you know, inseparables."
300 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"I do not understand what your majesty implies/' re-
plied the Duke de Guise.
" Now to me," observed the king, " nothing can be more
clear ; and that is why there was a spark on each side of
the litter."
" Well/' said the duke, " if there be any wrong on the
part of the queen and of my sister-in-law, let us call on
the justice of the king to put an end to it."
" Eh, par Dieu ! " said Henry, " let us have done with
Mesdames de Conde and de Nevers. The king has no un-
easiness about his sister ; I have none for my wife."
" No, no," interposed Charles ; " I will have the affair
cleared up ; but let us manage it ourselves. The litter,
you say, cousin, stopped in the Rue Cloche- Percee ?"
" Yes, sire."
"You know the spot ?"
"Yes, sire."
" Well, then, let us go thither ; and if it be necessary to
burn down the house to know who is in it, why, we will
do so."
It was with this feeling, very discouraging for those con-
cerned, that the four principal princes of the Christian
world proceeded towards the Rue Saint Antoine.
When they reached the Rue Cloche-Percee, Charles, who
wished to confine the thing to his family, dismissed his
attendants, desiring them to be near the Bastille at six
o'clock in the morning, with two horses.
On reaching the house, they knocked, and tried to gain
admittance, which the German porter decidedly and dog-
gedly refused. Seeing that they could not succeed so, the
Duke de Guise, pretending to go away, went to the corner
of 'the Rue Saint Antoine, and there picked up one of those
stones such as Ajax, Telamon, and Diomede upheaved
three thousand years before, and dashed it with violence
against the door, which flew open with the concussion,
knocking down the German, who fell heavily, and with a
loud cry, that aroused the garrison, which else ran a great
risk of being surprised.
At this noise, La Mole, Coconnas, Marguerite, and
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 301
Henriette were aroused. They blew out all the lights in-
stantly, and opening the windows, went out into the bal-
cony, when, seeing four men in the darkness, they began to
shower down upon them all the projectiles within reach,
and make a noise by striking the stone walls with the flat
of their swords. Charles, the most eager of the assailants,
received a silver ewer on his shoulder, the Duke d'Anjou
a basin containing a jelly of oranges and cinnamon, and
the Duke de Guise a haunch of venison.
Henry received nothing ; he was quietly speaking to
the porter, whom M. de Guise had tied to the door, and
who replied by his eternal,
" Ich verstehe nicht."
The women ably backed the besieged army, and handed
projectiles to them, which fell like hail.
"By the devil's death! "cried Charles, as he received
on his head a stool which knocked his hat over his eyes
and on to his nose, " if they do not open this moment, I'll
hang them all."
"My brother !" said Marguerite to La Mole, in a low
voice.
" The king ! " said he to Henriette.
"The king ! the king !" said she to Coconnas, who was
drawing a large chest to the window, intending it espe-
cially for the Duke de Guise, whom, without knowing him,
he had picked out as his peculiar antagonist ; " the king,
I tell you ! "
Coconnas let go the chest with an air of amazement.
*f The king ? " said he.
"Yes, the king!"
"Then sound a letreat."
" Well, be it so. Marguerite and La Mole are off al-
ready."
" Which way ? "
" Come this way, I tell you ! " and taking him by the
hand, Henriette led Coconnas by the secret door which
led to the adjoining house, and having closed it after them,
they all four fled by the way that led to the Kue Tizon.
"Ah, ah !" said Charles, " I think the garrison surren-
302 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
ders. Cousin, "-he continued, "take up the stone again,
and serve the inner door as yon have done the outer."
The duke burst the other door in with his foot.
" The torches ! the torches ! " said the king, and the
lackeys having relighted them, came forward, and the
king taking one, handed the other to the Duke d'Anjou.
The Duke de Guise went first, sword in hand ; Henry
brought up the rear.
They reached the first story, and in the dining-room
found the relics of supper, with candelabra upset, furni-
ture thrown over, and all that was not of metal destroyed.
They went into the saloon, but there was no better clue
to the late truants there than in the other room.
"There must be another way of egress," observed the
king.
" Most probably," replied D'Anjou.
They searched on all sides, but found no door.
" Where is the porter ? " inquired the king.
" I fastened him to the door," replied the Duke de
Guise.
Henry looked out of the window, and observed :
" He is there no longer.*'
" Devil's death I " said the king, " we shall learn nothing
now. "
"And really," added Henry, "you see plainly, sire,
that nothing proves that my wife and the Duke de Guise's
sister-in-law have been in this house ; and thus the best
thing we can do "
" Is," said Charles, " for me to foment my bruise,
D'Anjou, to wipe away the marks of the orange-jam, and
Guise to rub the grease from off his ruff."
And then they all went away, without so much as
closing the door after them.
When they reached the Rue Saint Antoine, the king
said to M. d'Anjou and the Duke de Guise :
" Which way are you going, gentlemen ?"
" Sire, we are going to Nantonillet's, who expects my
cousin of Lorraine and myself to supper. Will your maj-
esty deign to accompany us ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 303
" No, I thank you ; our way lies in an opposite direction.
Will you have one of my torch-bearers ? "
" No, I thank you, sire/' was D'Anjou's reply.
" Good ! He is afraid I should watch him," whispered
Charles in Henry's ear. Then, taking him by the arm, he
said :
" Come, Harry, I will find you a supper to-night."
." Then we are not going back to the Louvre ? " was
Henry's response.
" No, I tell you, you threefold thickhead ! Come with
me when I tell you come, come ! "
And he conducted Henry by the Rue GeofEroy-Lasnier.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
MARIE TOTJCHET.
THEY reached the Rue de la Mortellerie, and stopped
before a small lone house in the middle of a garden, in-
closed by high walls. Charles took a key from his pocket,
and opened the door ; and then desiring Henry and the
torch-bearer to enter, he closed the door after him. One
small window only was lighted, to which Charles, with a
smile, pointed Henry's attention, saying :
" Harry, I told you, that when I left the Louvre I quit-
ted hell, and when I come here I enter paradise."
' ' And who is the angel that guards the entrance to
your Eden, sire ? "
" You will see," replied Charles IX. ; and making a
sign to Henry to follow him without noise, he pushed open
a first door then a second, and paused on the threshold.
" Look ! " he said.
Henry did so, and remained with his eyes fixed on as
charming a picture as he ever saw. It was a female of
eighteen or nineteen years of age, reposing at the foot of
a bed, on which was a sleeping infant, whose two feet she
held in her hands, pressing them to her lips, whilst her
304- MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
long chestnut hair fell down over them like waves of
gold.
It was a picture of Albano's representing the Virgin and
the infant Jesus.
" Oh, sire," said the King of Navarre, " who is this
charming creature ? "
" The angel of my paradise, Harry ; the only being who
loves me for myself
Henry smiled.
" Yes," said Charles, " for myself ; " for she loved me
before she knew I was the king."
" Well, and since "
"Well, and since," said Charles, with a sigh, which
proved that this glittering royalty was sometimes a bur-
den to him ; " since she knew it, she still loves me.
Watch ! "
The king approached her gently, and on the lovely cheek
of the young female impressed a kiss as light as that of
the bee on a lily, yet it awoke her.
" Charles ! " she murmured, opening her eyes.
" You see," said the king, " she calls me Charles : the
queen says sire."
" Oh," exclaimed the young girl, "you are not alone !"
"No, dearest Marie, I have brought you another king,
happier than myself, for he has no crown : more unhappy
than me, for he has no Marie Touchet."
" Sire, it is, then, the King of Navarre ? "
"It is, love."
Henry went towards her, and Charles took his right
hand.
" Look at this hand, Marie," said he : " it is the hand
of a good brother and a loyal friend ; and but for this
hand "
" Well, sire ! "
"But for this hand, this day, Marie, our boy had been
fatherless."
Marie uttered a cry, seized Henry's hand, and kissed it.
The king went to the bed where the child was still asleep.
" Eh ! " said he, "if this stout boy slept in the Louvre,
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 305
instead of sleeping in this small house, he would change
the aspect of things at present, and perhaps for future." *
" Sire," said Marie, " without offense to your majesty,
I prefer his sleeping here, he sleeps better."
"You are right, Marie," said Charles IX. "Let us
sup now."
The two men passed into the dining-room, whilst the
anxious and careful mother covered the little Charles, who
slept soundly, with a warm wrapper, and then joined the
two kings, between whom she seated herself, and helped
both.
" Is it not well, Harry," asked Charles, " to have a place
in the world in which we can eat and drink without the
necessity of any one tasting your viands before you eat
them yourself ? "
" I believe, sire," was Henry's rejoinder, " that I can
appreciate that better than any one."
ee Marie," said the king, " I present to you one of the
most intelligent and witty men I know ; it is much to say,
even at court, and, perhaps, I have understood him better
than any one ; for I speak of his mind, as well as of his
heart."
"Sire," said Henry, "I hope that in exaggerating the
one yon have no doubt of the other."
" I do not exaggerate anything, Harry," replied the king.
"He is, for one thing, a capital master of anagrams. Bid
him make one on your name, and I will answer for it he
will."
" Oh, what can you find in the name of a poor girl like
me ? What pleasing idea could such a name as Marie
Touchet produce ? "
" Sire," said Henry, " it is too easy ; there is no merit
in finding such an one."
" What ! done already ?" said Charles. " You see "
* This natural child was afterwards the famous Duke d'An-
gouleme, who died in 1650 ; and had he been legitimate, would
ha^e taken precedence of Henry III., Henry IV., Louis XIII.,
Louis XIV., etc., and altered the whole line of the royal succes-
sion of France.
20
306 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Henry took his tablets from the pocket of his doublet,
tore out a page of the paper, and beneath the name " Marie
Touchet," he wrote " Je charme tout " (" I charm all"),
and then handed the leaf to the young girl.
" Really," she exclaimed, " it is impossible I "
" What has he found ?" inquired Charles.
" Sire, I dare not repeat it."
" Sire," said Henry, "in the name of Marie Totichet
there is letter for letter, only changing the I into J, which
is customary, the words, ' Je charme tout.' "
" So it does," cried Charles, " exactly beautifully !
This shall be your device, Marie, and never was device
better merited. Thanks, Harry ! Marie, I will give it
to you set in diamonds."
The supper finished as it struck two o'clock by N6tre-
Dame.
" Now, Marie ' said Charles, " in recompense for the
compliment, give him an armchair, in which he may
sleep till daybreak a long way off from us though, for
he snores fearfully, If, Harry, you wake before me, rouse
me, for we must; be at the Bastille by six o'clock. Good-
night make yourse^ as comfortable as you can. But,"
added the king, placing his hand on Henry's shoulder, " on
your life, Harry, on your life, do not leave this house
without me."
Henry had suspected too much, to feel any desire of
despising this caution.
Charles IX. went to his chamber, and Henry, the hardy
mountaineer, soon made himself quite comfortable in his
armchair, and speedily justified the precaution his brother-
in-law had taken in keeping him at a distance, in the
morning, Charles aroused him, and as he was dressed, his
toilette did not occupy him very long.
They both passed through the bedchamber, where the
young girl was sleeping in her bed, and the baby in its
cradle. They both were smiling as they slept. Charles
looked at them very tenderly, and turning to the King of
Navarre, said to him :
" Harry, if you should ever learn what service I have
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. 307
this night rendered you, and any misfortune should happen
to me, remember this child which rests here in its cradle."
Then, kissing them both, he said, " Adieu, my angels I"
and left the apartment. Henry followed, buried deeply
in thought.
Two horses, held by his gentlemen, awaited them at the
Bastille ; Charles made a sign to Henry to mount, and
going by the garden of the Arbalete, they went towards
the exterior Boulevards. When they reached the Marais,
where they were sheltered by the palisades, Charles di-
rected Henry's attention, through the thick haze of the
morning, to some men wrapped in long mantles and Avear-
ing fur caps, who were on horseback beside a wagon heavily
laden.
" Ah, ah !"said Charles, smiling, "I thought so."
"Eh, sire," observed Henry, " is not one of them the
Duke d' Anjou ! "
" Himself," said Charles. " Keep back, Harry ! don't
let them see us."
" And who are the other men, and what is in the
wagon ? "
" The men are the Polish ambassadors, and in the wagon
is a crown ; and now," he added, putting his horse to a
gallop, " come, Harry, for I have seen all I wished to
discover."
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE RETURN" TO THE LOUVRE.
WHEN Catherine believed all was arranged in the King of
Navarre's chamber, that the dead soldiers were removed,
Maurevel conveyed away, and the carpets washed, she dis-
missed her maids, for it was nearly midnight, and at-
tempted to go to sleep ; but the shock had been too severe,
the deception too great. The detested Henry eternally
escaped her plots, well-laid and deadly as they were ; he
seemed protected by some invisible power, which Catherine
DUMAS YOL. III. 14
308 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
persisted in calling chance, although in the depths of her
heart a voice told her that the real name of this power was
destiny. Sleep came not to her eyes, and, her brain filled
with fresh projects, she rose at break of day, dressed her-
self, and went towards Charles's apartments, where she
found his nurse in the antechamber.
" Nurse, I desire to see my son."
" Madame, I will not open the door, except on the
formal order of yoir majesty."
" Open, nurse, I command you."
The nurse at this voice, more respected and more dreaded
than that of Charles himseL, presented the key to Cath-
erine ; but Catherine h,d no need of it, drawing from her
pocket a key of her own, which opened her son's door in
an instant.
The chamber was unoccupied ; Charles's couch was undis-
turbed ; and his two greyhounds, lying down on a bearskin,
rose, and coming to Catherine, licked her hands.
" Ah !" said the queen, " he has gone out ; I will await
him."
And she seated herself gloomily in the recess of a win-
dow which looked into the principal court of the Louvre.
For two hours sho remained there, pale and immovable as
a marble statue, when at length she saw a troop of cavaliers
enter the gate, at the head of whom she beheld Charles and
Henry of Navarre.
Then she comprehended all. Charles, instead of debat-
ing with her as to the arrest of his brother-in-law, had
carried him off, and thus saved him.
" Blind, blind, blind !" she murmured ; and she waited
where she was.
A moment afterwards she heard footsteps without, and
Charles, lifting the tapestry, found himself in the presence
of his mother.
Behind him, and looking over his shoulder, was the pale
and uneasy countenance of the Bearnais.
" Ah ! you here, madame ? " said Charles IX., frowning.
" Yes, my son ; I wish to speak with you."
"Tome?"
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 309
"Yon, and alone."
" Well, well/' said Charles, turning towards his brother-
in-law, "since it cannot be avoided, the sooner the better."
" 1 leave you, sire/' said Henry.
" Yes, yes, do," replied Charles ; " and since you are a
Catholic, Harry, go and hear mass on my behalf ; as for
me, I shall stay and hear the sermon."
Henry bowed, and left the apartment.
Charles IX. anticipating the questions which his mother
-would address to him, said, trying to turn the affair into
a jest. " Well, madame, pardieu ! you are going to scold
me, are you not ? I made your little plot fail most signally.
Well, mart d'un diable! I really could not allow to be
arrested and conveyed to the Bastille the man who had just
saved my life ; so forgive me, and confess that the joke was
a capital one."
"Sire, ' replied Catherine, "your majesty is mistaken;
it was not a joke."
" Yes, yes, and so you will say, or the devil take me ! "
" Sire, you have by your own fault caused the failure of
a plan which would have led us to a grand discovery."
" Come," said the king, "come, let us know all about it.
What have you to complain of against Harry ? "
" Why, that he is in a conspiracy."
"Yes, of course; that is your everlasting accusation."
"Listen," said Catherine, " listen, and you will find a
means of proving whether or no I am wrong."
" Well, how, mother ? "
" Inquire from Henry who was in his chamber last night ;
and if he tells you, I am ready to confess that I was wrong."
" But suppose it was a woman, we cannot suppose "
" A woman ? "
" Yes, a woman."
" A woman who killed two of your guards, and has
wounded, perhaps mortally, M. de Maurevel ! "
" Ah, ah ! " said the king, " this grows serious. There
has been blood spilt, then ? "
" Three men were leveled with the earth."
t( And he who left them in this condition ?"
310 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Escaped, safe and sound."
" By Gog and Magog ! " cried Charles, " he was a gallant
fellow, and you are right, mother. I should like to know
him."
" Well, I tell you beforehand you will not learn who it
is, at least from Henry."
" But from you, mother. This man did not flee without
leaving some traces, without some portion of his dress
being remarked."
" Nothing was observed but the elegant cherry-colored
mantle which he wore."
" Ah, ah ! a cherry-colored mantle ! " said Charles ;
" I know but one at court so remarkable."
" Precisely," said Catherine.
" Well ! " replied Charles.
" Well," answered Catherine, " await me here, my son,
whilst I go to see if my orders have been executed."
Catherine went out, leaving Charles alone, and he paced
up and down thoughtfully, whistling a hunting air, with
one hand in his doublet, and letting the other hang down
for his dogs to lick every time he paused.
As to Henry, he had left his brother-in-law's apartments
very uneasy, and instead of going along the usual corridor,
he had ascended the small private staircase we have before
referred to, and which led to the second story, but scarcely
had he gone up four steps than he saw a shadow : he
stopped, and put his hand to his dagger, but immediately
recognized a female, and a charming voice familiar to his
ear said :
" Heaven be praised, sire ! you are safe and sound. I
was in great alarm about you, but heaven has heard my
prayer."
" What, then, has happened ? " inquired Henry.
" You will know when you reach your apartments. Do
not be uneasy about Orthon ; I have taken care of him."
And the young lady descended the stairs rapidly, pass-
ing Henry as if she had met him accidentally.
"This is very strange," said Henry to himself; "what
can have happened ? what has occurred to Orthon ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 3H
The question, unfortunately, could not reach Madame
de Sauve, for Madame de Sauve was already out of hearing.
At the top of the staircase Henry saw another shadow ;
it was that of a man.
" Hush ! " said this man.
" Ah, ah ! is that you, Fra^ois ?'*"
" Do not mention my name."
" What has happened ? "
" Go into your rooms, and you will see ; then go quietly
into the corridor, look carefully about that no one sees
you, and come to me my door will be ajar."
And he disappeared, in his turn, down the staircase,
like a ghost in a theater down a trap.
" Ventre-saint-gris ! " muttered de Be"arnais, " the
mystery grows thicker, but as the solution is to be found
in my apartment, let us go thither."
He reached the door, and listened ; there was not a
sound. Charlottt had told him to go there, and it was
thus evident that there was nothing to fear. He entered,
and cast a glance around the antechamber, which was
solitary, but nothing indicated that anything had taken
place.
" Orthon is not here/' he remarked, and went to the
inner chamber.
Here all was explained. In spite of the water, which
had been copiously used, large red spots stained the floor ;
a piece of furniture was broken, the hangings of the bed
were hacked with sword-cuts, a Venetian mirror was
broken by the blow of a bullet, and a blood-stained hand
had leaned against the wall, and left against it a terrible
imprint, announcing that this chamber had been the
mute witness of a mortal struggle. Henry started back,
and gazed with haggard eye at all these different details,
and passing his hand over his brow, moist with perspira-
tion, he murmured :
" Ah ! now I understand the service which the king has
done me ; they came to assassinate me, and ah ! De
Mouy ! what have they done with De Mouy ? Wretches I
they have murdered him ! "
312 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
And anxious to learn the particulars, he hastened to
the Duke d'Alengon, who was waiting for him, and taking
Henry's hand, and placing his finger on his lips, led him
to a small closet in the tower, completely isolated, and
consequently out of the rea h of all eyes and ears.
" Oh, my brother," he said, "what a horrible night 1"
" What has happened ? asked Henry.
" They sought to arrest you."
" Me ? "
"Yes, you."
" And wherefore ? "
"I know not where were you ?"
" The king took me last night away with him into the
city."
" Then he was aware of it," said D'Alen9on. " But
since you were not here, who was in your rooms ? "
" Was any one there ?" inquired Henry, as if ignorant
of the fact.
" Yes, a man. When I heard the noise, I ran to bring
you succor, but it was too late."
" Was the man arrested ? ' inonir d Henry, anxiously.
" No ; he escaped, after having dangero sly wounded
Maurevel and killed two guards. '*
" Ah, brave De Mouy ! " cie<? nenry.
" Was it, then, De Mony ?" said D'Alen9on, quickly.
Henry saw he had commited a fault.
" At least, I presume so," he replied, " for I had given
him an appointment to arrange with him as to your flight,
and to tell him that I had ceded to you all my rights to the
throne of Navarre."
" Then if De Mouy is known," said D'Alen9on, turning
pale, "we are lost." \.
Yes ; for Maurevel will tell."
" Maurevel has been wounded in the throat, and I have
learned from the surgeon that he wi 1 n t speak a word for
eight days."
" Eight days ! that is a longer time than De Mouy re-
quires to reach a place of safety/'
" But it may be some other, and not M. de Mouy."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIR 313
" Do you think so ? " asked Henry.
" Yes ; this person disappeared very swiftly, and noth-
ing was seen but a cherry-colored cloak. "
" Why, really," remarked Henry, " a cherry-colored
cloak is a thing for a fop, not for a soldier ; no one would
suspect De Mouy of appearing in a cherry-colored cloak."
" No ; and if any one were suspected," said D'AlenQon,
" it would rather be "
He paused.
" M. de la Mole," said Henry.
" Certainly ; since I, who saw him myself, doubted for
a moment. "
" You doubted? Well, then, it might be M. dela Mole."
" Does he know nothing ?" inquired D'AlenQon.
" Nothing important."
" Brother," said the duke, " now I really believe it
was he."
" Diable I " observed Henry, " if it be he, it will greatly
annoy the queen, who takes an interest in him."
" An interest, say you ?" said D'Aleu^on, amazed.
" Unquestionably. Do you not remember, Francois,
Chat it was your sister who recommended him to you ? "
" It was, indeed," said the duke ; "and if I were sure
you would support me, I myself w >uld almost accuse him."
" If you accuse him," replied Henry, " understand,
brother, I shall not gainsay you."
" But the queen ? " said D'Alen9on.
" Ah, yes, the queen ! "
" We must know what she will do."
" I will undertake that commission."
" Plague take it, brother ! she will be wrong to give us
the lie, for only see what a glorious reputation the young
fellow will have, and which will have cost him nothing ;
though to be sure, he may be called on to pay capital and
interest at once."
" Devil take it ! what would you have ? " inquired
Henry. " In this nether world, we have nothing for
nothing; " and, saluting D'AlenQon, he went rapidly down
the staircase to Marguerite's apartments.
314 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
The Queen of Navarre was hardly more at ease than her
husband. The expedition of the night, directed against
herself and Madame de Nevers, by the king, the Duke
d'Anjou, the Duke de Guise, and Henry, whom she had rec-
ognized, had greatly disturbed her. She had gone to bed,
but she could not sleep, and trembled at every sound.
At this moment, Henry knocked at her door, and Gillonne
admitted him at her mistress's order.
Henry paused at the door. Nothing in him announced
the injured husband ; his habitual smile was on his well-
defined lips, and not a muscle of his countenance betrayed
the severe emotions he had undergone. He looked at
Marguerite to ascertain if she would allow him to remain
alone with her, and Marguerite motioned Gillonne to re-
tire.
" Madame, " said Henry, " I know how deeply you are
attached to your friends, and I fear I bring you unwel-
come tidings."
" What are they, sir ? " asked Marguerite.
" One of our beat beloved servitors is greatly compro-
mised at this moment."
"Who ?"
" Our dear Comte de la Mole."
" And how ?"
" In consequence of the adventure of last night."
Marguerite, in spite of her self-command, could not re-
frain from blushing.
" What adventure ? " she said.
" What ! " said Henry ; " did you not hear all the
noise that was made at the Louvre last night ? "
" No, sir."
" Then I congratulate you, madame," said Henry, with
much gravity, " for you must have slept very soundly."
"Well, what did pass?"
" Why, our good mother had ordered M. de Maurevel
and six of her guards to arrest me."
" You, sir you ? "
" Yes, me."
" And wherefore ?"
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. 315
" Ah ! who can tell the ' wherefores * of such a mind as
your mother's ? I suspect them, but do not know them."
" And you were not in your chamber ? "
" No, by accident ; you have guessed rightly, madame.
Last evening, the king invited me to accompany him.
But if I was not in my apartments, some other person
was." .
" And who was that other person ?"
" It appears that it was the Comte de la Mole."
"The Comte de la Mole ! " said Marguerite, amazed.
" Tudieu I only imagine what a stout fellow the Pro-
ven9al was/' continued Henry. " Why, he wounded
Maurevel and killed two of the guards."
"Wounded M. de Maurevel and killed two of the
guards ! Impossible ! "
" What, do you doubt his courage, madame ? "
"No ; but I say that M. de la Mole could not be in your
apartments."
"Why not?"
" Because because," answered Marguerite, greatly
embarrassed, "because he was elsewhere."
" Ah, if he can prove an alibi," observed Henry, " that
is another thing. He will say where he was, and there's
an end."
" Where he was ?" said Marguerite, quickly.
" Assuredly. But unfortunately, as they have
proofs "
"Proofs! What?"
" Why, the man who made this desperate defense wore
a red cloak."
" But is M. de la Mole the only man who wears a red
cloak ? I know another person also."
" So do I ; but then see what will happen. If it was
not M. de la Mole, it was some other man in a red cloak
like him, and you know who that man is. '
" Heavens ! "
" This is the breaker a head of us. You have seen him,
as I have, madame ; and your emotion proves it. Let us,
then, talk this matter over like two persons who speak of
816 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
a thing the most coveted in the world a throne ; of a
thing most precious life. De Mouy arrested, we are
lost!"
" Yes ; I understand that."
" Whilst M. de la Mole can compromise nobody, unless
he were capable of inventing some such tale as that he
was with a party of ladies how can I tell ? "
" Sir/' said Marguerite, " if you only fear that, be per-
fectly easy ; he will not so say."
" What ! " said Henry, " will he be silent, even if silence
cost him his life ? "
" He will, sir."
" You are sure ? "
"I will answer for him."
"Then all is for the best," said Henry, rising.
" Then you go, sir "
" To endeavor to get us out of the danger into which
this devil of a man in the red cloak has plunged us."
" Ah, mon Dieu ! mon Dieu ! poor young man ! " ex-
claimed Marguerite, in a paroxysm of grief, and wringing
her hands.
" Eeally," said Henry, as he retired, " this dear M. de
la Mole is a very faithful and gentlemanly servitor 1 "
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
INTERROGATORIES.
CHARLES entered smiling and jesting into his apart-
ments, but after ten minutes' conversation with his mother,
it was she who had recovered her good humor, and he
who was serious and thoughtful.
" M. de la Mole," said Charles, "M de la Mole we
must summon Henry and D'Alenqon : Henry, because this
young man is a Huguenot D'Alen9on, because he is in
his service."
" Summon them if you will, my son, yon will learn
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 317
nothing. I fear there exists a better understanding be-
tween Henry and Frangois than you imagine."
Charles walked up and down rapidly, biting his lips
and pressing his hand to his heart, as if to restrain his
wrath.
" No, no," said he, " I will not wait ! Let some one
summon the Duke d'Aleugon, then Henry. I will inter-
rogate them separately. As for you, you can stay, if you
please."
The Duke d'Alengon entered. His conversation with
Henry had prepared him for this interview ; he was there-
fore perfectly collected.
His answers were most precise. Warned by his mother
not to quit his apartments, he was ignorant of the events
of the night : only, as those apartments were in the same
corridor as the King of Navarre's, he had heard footsteps,
then the sound of a door opening, and the report of fire-
arms ; he had ventured to open his door slightly, and had
seen a man in a red mantle escape. Charles and the queen
looked at each other.
" In a red mantle ? " said the king. " Yes."
" And did not this mantle give you any suspicions as to
who the person was ? "
D'Aiengon collected all his presence of mind, in order
to lie more naturally.
"I confess," said he, "I thought I recognized the
mantle of one of my gentlemen."
" Which of them ? "
" M. de la Mole."
' ' Why was he not in attendance on you ? "
"I had given him leave of absence."
" That will do : go."
The duke advanced towards the door.
" No this way," said Charles, pointing to the door
which led to his nurse's apartments.
Charles did not wish Frangois and Henry should see
each -other. He was ignorant that they had already met
for a few moments, and that this short time had sufficed to
arrange their plans.
318 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Behind D'Alengon, and at a sign from Charles, came
Henry.
" Sire," said he, " you have done well to send for me, for
I was coming to seek you, to demand justice."
Charles frowned.
" Yes, justice 1 " said Henry. " I commence by thank-
ing your majesty for having taken me with you last night,
for I now know that by so doing you saved my life ; but
what have I done to deserve being assassinated ?"
"It was not an assassination," said Catherine; " it was
an arrest."
"Well! "returned Henry, "what crime have I com-
mitted ? I am as guilty to-day as yesterday. What is my
crime, I ask again, sire ? "
Charles looked at his mother, somewhat embarrassed
for an answer.
" My son," said Catherine, " you hold communication
with suspected persons."
"And these suspected persons compromise me is it
not so, madame ? "
"Yes, Henry."
"Name them, then name them confront me with
them!"
" Why, aye," said Charles, " Harry has a right to an ex-
planation."
" And I demand one," said Henry, who saw his advan-
tage, and resolved to use it : "I demand one from my
brother Charles, from my stepmother Catherine. Since
my marriage, have I not been a good husband ? ask Mar-
guerite. A good Catholic ? ask my confessor. A good
brother ? ask all those who were at the hunt yesterday."
" It is true, Harry," replied the king ; " but they say
you conspire."
" Against whom ? "
" Against me."
" Sire, were that true, I needed only to have let events
take their course when the boar was on you."
"Eh, mortdiable! he is right, mother."
" But who was last night in your apartments ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 319
*' Madame," returned Henry, " I can scarcely answer
for myself, much less for others. I left my apartments at
a quarter past seven, and the king took me with him at
nine ; and I did not quit his majesty all the night ; I
could not be with him and in the Louvre at the same
time."
" But,*' said Catherine, " it is not the less true that
some one of your followers killed two of the king's guards,
and wounded M. de Maurevel."
"One of my followers I" cried Henry. " Name him,
then."
" Every one accuses M. de la Mole."
" M. de la Mole is not in my service, but in that of the
Duke d'AlenQon, to whom Marguerite recommended him."
" But/' said Charles, "was it M. de la Mole who was
there ? "
" How should I know, sire ? I do not say yes or no.
M. de la Mole is a very gallant gentleman, devoted to the
Queen of Navarre, and who often brings me messages
from Marguerite, to whom he i very grateful for having
recommended him to the Duke d'Alen9on, or from the
duke himself. I know not if it were he or not."
" It was he," said Catherine ; " he was recognized by
his red mantle."
" Ah, he has a red mantle ? " asked Henry.
" Yes."
" And the man who so maltreated your guards and M.
de Maurevel had a red mantle ? "
"Exactly so," replied Charles.
" I have nothing to say to that," answered the BSarnais ;
" but it seems to me that, instead of sending for me, it
was M. de la Mole who should have been sent for ; but
there is one thing I would remark."
" What is that ? "
" That if I had resisted the king's order I should be
culpable, and merit severe punishment ; but it was not
me, it was a stranger in no way concerned, whom they
Bought to arrest ; he defended himself, and he had a right
to do so."
820 MABGUEBITE DE VALOIS.
"Yet "murmured Catherine.
" Madame, " demanded Henry, " was the order to arrest
me?"
" Yes ; and the king had signed it."
"Bat was it in the order to arrest any one found in my
place ? "
"No."
"Well, then," continued Henry, "unless it can be
proved I am plotting against the king, and that the man
in my chamber is plotting with me, he is innocent. Sire,"
continued he, turning to Charles IX., " I do not quit the
Louvre, or I am ready at your majesty's orders to retire to
any state prison you may think fit to indicate, but for the
mean time I have a right to declare myself the loyal sub-
ject and bi other of your majesty."
And saluting them with an air of dignity Charles had
never before seen in him, Henry withdrew.
" Bravo, Harry ! " cried Charles.
" Bravo ! because he has beaten us ? "
" And why not ? When he hits me in fencing, don't I
cry Vavo ! Mother, you are wrong to despise this young
man
' My son ! I do not hate I fear him."
" Well, you're wrong ; for if he were really plotting
against me, he only need have let the boar alone yester-
day. '
' Yes/ ; said Catherine, " and so have made D'Anjou,
his personal enemy, King of France."
"Never mind what motive made him save my life;
suffice it, he did save it. Mort de tons Us diables I I will
not have him meddled with ; as for M. de la Mole, I will
speak to D'Alenqon about him."
Catherine took her leave. On re-entering her cham-
ber, she found Marguerite waiting for her.
" Ah, ah ! " said she " it is you, my daughter ; I sent
for you last night."
" This morning, madame, I come to tell your majesty
you are about to commit a great injustice ; you are going
to arrest M. de la Mole."
MAEGUERITE DE VALOI8. 321
"It is probable."
" Accused of having killed two of the king's guards,
and wounded M. de Maurevel last night, in the King of
Navarre's chamber/'
" That is what he is charged with."
" He is wrongfully accused ; M. de la Mole is not
guilty/'
" Not guilty ! " cried Catherine, joyfully ; for she hoped
to learn something from what Marguerite was about to
tell her.
" No," returned Marguerite, " he cannot be guilty, for
he was not there."
" Where was he, then ?'*
" With me."
" With you ? "
"Yes."
Catherine, instead of darting a look of indignation at
her daughter, quietly folded her hands in her lap.
" If not M. de la Mole, who was there, then ? " said
she.
"I know not," returned Marguerite, hesitatingly.
" Come, do not tell me the truth by halves."
" I tell you, madame, I do not know," said Marguerite,
turning pale in spite of herself.
" Well, well," said the queen-mother, " we shall find
out. Go, my child ; your mother watches over your
honor."
Marguerite retired.
" Ah ! " murmured Catherine, " Henry and Marguerite
have an understanding together ; provided she is silent,
he is blind. Ah, my children, you think yourselves strong
in your union, but I will crush you. Besides, all must be
known, the day when Maurevel can write or pronounce
six letters."
And hereupon Catherine returned to the royal apart-
ments, where she found Charles in conference with
D'Alengon.
" You here, ma mere ! " said Charles.
" Why not say again, for that was in your thoughts ? "
21
322 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" I keep my thoughts to myself," returned the king,
with that harsh tone he sometimes adopted even to Cath-
erine. " What have you to say ? "
" That you were right, Charles ; and you, D'AlenQon,
wrong. "
" How ?" cried both together.
" It was not La Mole who was in the King of Navarre's
apartments."
" Who then ? " asked Charles.
" We shall know when Maurevel is recovered, but let us
speak of La Mole."
" What do you want with him, since he was not with
the King of Navarre ? "
" No, but he was with the queen."
" The queen ! " cried Charles, bursting into a loud laugh.
" No, no, Guise told us he met her litter."
"Just so," said Catherine ; "she has a house in Paris."
" Rue Cloche-Percee ? "
" Yes, I believe so."
" Ah! " cried the king, suddenly, " it must have been he
who threw a dish on my head last night the scoundrel ! "
" Doubtless," replied Catherine ; " and we must take
heed to the matter at once, for the least indiscretion of
this gentleman might occasion a terrible noise. It needs
but a moment of intoxication -"
" Or of vanity," said Fra^ois.
"Doubtless," returned Charles ; "but we cannot carry
the cause before the judges, until Henry consents."
" My son," said Catherine, significantly, " a crime has
been committed, and there may be scandal. Were you
simple gentlemen, I should need say nothing to you, for
you are both brave ; but you are princes, and cannot cross
swords with an inferior in rank ; think, then, how to
avenge yourselves as princes.*'
" Mort de tons Us diables ! " said Charles; "I will
think of it."
" I leave you," said Catherine, " but I leave you this to
represent me."
As she spoke, she untied the silken cord that passed
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 323
thrice round her waist, and of which the two tassels fell
to her knees, and cast it at the feet of the two princes.
"Ah," said Charles, " I understand/'
" This cord " said D'Alenc.on.
"Is punishment and silence," replied Catherine ; "but,
first, it will be as well to mention the thing to Henry."
And she retired.
" Pardieu ! " replied D'Alen9on, " a good suggestion.
I will send for Henry."
" No," said Charles, " I will see him myself ; do you
inform D'Anjou and Guise."
And quitting his apartments, he ascended the private
staircase which led to Henry's chamber.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
PEOJECTS OF VENGEANCE.
HENRY had profited by the moment's respite from the
examination he had undergone, to fly to Madame de Sauve's.
There he found Orthon quite recovered, but the latter
could tell him nothing, except that some armed men had
entered the apartment, and that one of them had struck
him with the hilt of his sword.
As for Orthon, no one had taken any heed to him :
Catherine had seen him senseless, and believed he was dead.
On coming to himself, in the interval between her depart-
ure and the arrival of the captain of the guard, he had
taken refuge with Madame de Sauve.
Henry besought Charlotte to let the young man remain
with her until he heard from De Mouy, who would cer-
tainly write to him. He would then despatch Orthon to
him, and instead of one, have two men, on whom to rely
in any emergency. This plan formed, he had returned to
his apartment, and was musing deeply, when the door
opened, and Charles entered.
" Your majesty I " cried Henry.
324 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" I myself. Harry, you are an excellent fellow, and I
love you more and more/'
" Sire," said Henry, "you overwhelm me."
" You have but one fault."
" If your majesty will explain yourself, I will seek to
correct it," said Henry, who saw by the king's face he was
in an excellent humor.
" It is, that having good eyes you do not use them."
" Bah ! " said Henry ; " am I, then, near-sighted with-
out knowing it ? "
" Worse than that, you are blind."
" If that be so, will your majesty aid me to recover my
sight?"
" When Guise told you last night he saw your wife pass
with a gallant, you would not believe it."
" Sire, how could I believe your majesty's sister would
commit such an indiscretion ? "
"When he told you your wife had gone to the Rue
Cloche-Percee, you would not believe that."
" I could not suppose a princess of the royal blood would
thus publicly risk her reputation."
" When we besieged the house, and I received a silver
dish on my shoulder, D'Anjou a plate of orange jam on
his head, and Guise a haunch of venison in his face, did
you not see two men and two women ? "
" I saw nothing "
" Eh, corboBuf! I did, then."
" Ah, if your majesty saw anything, that makes it an-
other thing."
" That is, I saw two men and two women ; one of the
women, I am sure, was Margot, and one of the men La
Mole."
" But," said Henry, "if M. de la Mole was in the Rue
Oloche-PercSe, he could not be here."
" No, no, he was not here ; but never mind that, we
shall know who -was here when that blockhead Maureyel
can write or speak. The question is touching Margot,
who deceives you, and her lover, whom we are going to
strangle."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 325
Henry started, and looked with an air of bewilderment
at the king.
" You won't be sorry for that, I know, Harry. Margot
will cry like a thousand Niobes, but I won't have you
made a fool of. Let D'Anjou deceive Conde', I do not
care ; Cond6 is my enemy but you are my brother, my
friend."
" But, sire "
" I will not have you molested ; you are deceived, but
you shall have such a reparation, that to-morrow every
one shall say ' Mille noms d'un diable I The king loves
his brother Harry, for he twisted M. de la Mole's neck
finely or his sake last night."'
"Are yon quite resolved, sire ?" asked Henry.
' ?uite ; we are going on an expedition against the
rascal ; myself, D'Anjou, D'Alen9on, and Guise. A king,
two princes of the blood, and a sovereign prince, withou
reckoning yourself."
" How ! without reckoning me ? "
" Of course you will be with us."
" But, sire, do you know for certain ? "
" Why, the rascal boasts of it. He goes sometimes to
see her at the Louvre, sometimes at the Rue Cloche-
Percee : take a dagger with you."
" Sire," said Henry, " upon reflection, your majesty
will comprehend that I cannot take part in this expedi-
tion. I am too much interested in it, not to have my
presence ascribed to a desire of vengeance. Your majesty
punishes a man who calumniates your sister ; and Margue-
rite, whom I maintain innocent, is not dishonored ; but
if I am associated with it, my co-operation converts an
act of justice into a murder, my wife is no longer calum-
niated, she is guilty."
" Mordieu, Harry ! as 1 told my mother just now, you
have the quickest wit of all of us."
And Charles regarded his brother-in-law complacently.
Henry bowed in acknowledgment of the compliment.
" Well, well, leave all to me. It shall not be the worse
executed."
326 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" I leave it all in your hands."
" At what time does he usually go to your wife's apart-
ments ? "
" About nine o'clock."
" And at what hour does he leave ? **
" Before I come, for I never see him."
" What time is that ? "
"About eleven."
" Good ; come down this evening at midnight, all will
be over."
And Charles, after shaking Henry's hand, and renew-
ing his protestations of friendship, left the apartment,
whistling a favorite hunting air.
. Henry laughed as he could laugh when no one was
there to hear him.
" Ventre-saint-gris ! " said he, "I will wager anything
the queen-mother is at the bottom of all this. She does
nothing but try to get up quarrels between my wife and
me."
At seven o'clock the same evening, a young man who
had just left the bath, perfumed and attired himself,
humming a gay air the while. Beside him slept, or rather
reclined on the bed, another young man.
The one was La Mole, the other Coconnas.
" Where are you going to-night ? " asked the latter.
" Where am I going ? " said La Mole. " I am going to
the queen."
" Ah, true ! I forgot. Here is your mantle. "
"No, that is the black ; I want the cherry one ; the
queen prefers me in that."
" Ah, ma foi J" said Coconnas; "look for yourself ; I
do not see it."
" Not see it ! " replied La Mole. " Where can it be
then ? "
At this moment, as, after having turned everything up-
Bide down, La Mole was beginning to abuse the thieves
who dared even rob in the Louvre, the door opened, and
a page of the Duke d'Alen9ou appeared with the mantle
in question.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 327
"Ah !" said La Mole, "here it is."
" Yes, sir, monseigneur sent for it, to decide a wager
about its color."
The page retired, and La Mole clasped on his cloak.
" Well," said he to Coconnas, " what are you going to
do?"
"I do not know."
"Bah ; well, au revoir "
" That La Mole is a terrible fellow/' thought Coconnas ;
" he's always wanting to know where one is going, as if one
knew ; " and he composed himself to sleep.
As for La Mole, he betook himself to the Queen of
Navarre's apartments.
In the corridor he met the Duke d'Alen9on.
" Ah, 'tis you, La Mole ! " said he.
"Yes, monseigneur."
" Are you going out of the Louvre ? "
" No, your highness, I am going to pay my respects to
the Queen of Navarre."
" At what time shall you quit her ? "
" Has monseigneur any orders for me ?"
"No, but I shall have this evening."
" At whathonr?"
"From nine to ten."
" I will not fail to wait on your highness."
" Well, I rely upon you."
La Mole bowed, and went on.
" It is very strange," thought he, " the duke is pale
sometimes as a corpse."
And he knocked at the door. Gillonne, who seemed to
be watching his arrival, opened it, and conducted him to
the queen. Marguerite was occupied with something that
seemed to fatigue her greatly ; a paper covered with notes,
and a volume of Isocrates lay before her. She signed to
La Mole to let her finish the sentence ; and then, casting
aside her pen, invited him to sit by her.
La Mole had never seemed so handsome and so gay.
" Greek ! " cried he, glancing at the volume ; " Isocrates !
what are you doing ? Ah, and on this paper Latin * Ad
328 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Sarmatise legates reginae Margaritee concio,' you are going
to harangue these barbarians in Latin, then ? "
" I must, since they do not understand French. They
arrived this morning ; and you will find," added Margue-
rite with a slight air of pedantry, " that what I have writ-
ten is Ciceronian enough ; but let us talk of what has hap-
pened to you."
" To me ? "
" Yes ! "
" What has happened to me ? "
" Aye, what has happened to you ? you look pale."
" I confess it, but it is from too much sleep."
" Come, come, do not boast, I know all."
"Tell me what you mean, for I know not."
" Listen ; De Mouy, surprised last night in the apart-
ments of the King of Navarre, whom they wished to ar-
rest, killed three men, and escaped without being recog-
nized, except by the red mantle he wore."
Well ! "
"This red mantle, which deceived me, has deceived
others also. You are suspected of this triple murder.
This morning you would have been tried and condemned,
for I knew that you would not, even to save yourself, say
where you really were."
" Say where I was ? " cried La Mole ; " oh, never,
never ! I would have died joyfully to spare your glorious
eyes but one tear."
"Alas, my poor friend ! " replied the queen, " my glori-
ous eyes would have wept many, many tears ! "
"But how was this storm appeased ?"
"Guess."
" I cannot."
"There was but one way of proving you were not in the
king's chamber."
"And that was "
" To say where you were."
" Well ! "
" And I said it."
"To whom?"
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 329
"To my mother."
" And Queen Catherine "
" Knows that I love you."
" Oh, madame, after having done so much for me, my
life belongs to you ! "
" I have snatched it from those who wished to take it ;
but now you are saved."
* ' Saved by you ! " cried the young man ; " by you, whom
I adore "
At this moment, a sharp noise made them both start.
La Mole recoiled, and Marguerite, uttering a cry, fixed her
eyes on a broken pane in the window. By this pane a large
stone had entered, and lay on the floor.
La Mole saw the broken window, and, comprehending
the cause of the noise :
" Who has dared do this ? " cried he.
" Stay," said Marguerite ; " it seems to me something
is fastened to the stone."
" It looks like a billet," replied La Mole.
Marguerite eagerly caught up the stone, round which
was wound a slip of paper. The paper was fastened to
a thread which passed out of the window.
Marguerite opened and read it.
" Oh, Heavens !" cried she, holding out the paper, " La
Mole!"
He looked and read :
" M. de la Mole is waited for by long swords in the cor-
ridor leading to M. d'Alengon's apartments ; perhaps he
would prefer leaving the Louvre by this window, and joining
M. de Mouy at Mantes."
" But," said La Mole, " are these swords longer than
mine ? "
" No, but there are perhaps ten against one."
" From whom comes this billet ? " asked La Mole.
Marguerite looked attentively at it.
" The writing of the King of Navarre," said she. "If
he warns us, the danger is real fly, then, fly ! "
" How ? "
" Does it not mention the window ? "
830 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Command, and I ivill leap from the window, were it
twenty times as high ! "
" Stay," said Marguerite, " this string supports a
weight. "
" Let us see."
And both drawing towards them the string, saw the
extremity of a ladder of silk.
" Ah, you are saved/' said Marguerite.
" It is a miracle of Heaven ! "
" No, it is a gift of the King of Navarre."
" What if it were a snare laid for me," said La Mole.
" What if this ladder were to break beneath me : have you
not to-day avowed your love for me, Marguerite ? "
Marguerite, to whose cheeks joy had restored the color,
became deadly pale.
" You are right," said she ; " it is possible." And she
darted towards the door.
" Where are you going ? " cried La Mole.
" To assure myself you are really waited for on the cor-
ridor."
" Never, lest their vengeance fall on you ! "
" What can they do to me ? A queen and a woman, I
am doubly inviolable."
The queen said this with so much dignity that La Mole
felt she ran no risk, and that it was best to let her do as
she wished. Marguerite entrusted La Mole to Gillonne,
leaving it to her sagacity to decide, according to circum-
stances, whether he should fly, or await her return. She
advanced into the corridor that led to the library and a suite
of reception-rooms, which opened into the king's and
queen-mother's apartments, and to the private staircase
leading to D'Alenqon's apartments.
Although scarcely nine, all the lights were extinguished,
and, except a slight glimmer at the end, the corridor was
quite dark. The queen advanced with a firm step, but
arrived half-way, she heard a sound of voices whispering,
and the paina they took not to be heard, gave them a mys-
terious and hollow sound, but all noise soon ceased, f nd
the light, feeble as it was, seemed to diminish.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 331
Marguerite advanced ; she seemed calm, but in reality
the clenching of her hands showed violent nervous agita-
tion. As she approached the lights, the silence seemed to
grow more intense, and a shadow like a hand obscured the
flickering ray. Suddenly, a man sprang forward, un-
covered a taper, and exclaimed :
" Here he is ! "
Marguerite found herself opposite Charles, behind him
stood D'Alen9on, a cord of silk in his hand. At the
back two shadows were visible, with swords in their
hands.
Marguerite saw all this at a glance, and replied, smil-
ingly :
" You mean here she is."
Charles recoiled ; the rest stood motionless.
" You here, Margot, at this hour ? " said he.
" Is it, then, so late ? "
" I ask you where are you going ? "
" To fetch one of the volumes of Cicero, left in our
mother's apartments."
Without a light ? "
" I thought the corridor was lighted."
"And you come from your own apartments ?"
" Yes."
" What are you doing ? "
" Preparing my speech for the Polish ambassadors."
" Is any one helping you ? "
Marguerite made a violent effort.
" M. de la Mole," replied she. " He is very learned."
" So much so," said D'Alenc.on, " that I requested him
to help me, as I am not so clever as you are."
"You are waiting for him ?"
" Yes," returned D'Alen9on, impatiently.
"Then," said Marguerite, " I will send him to you."
" And your book ! " said Charles.
" Gillonne can fetch it."
The two brothers interchanged a sign.
" Go, then," said Charles. " We will continue our
round."
DUMAS VOL. 111. 16
332 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"Your round ?" asked Marguerite " whom are you
looking for, then ? "
"The little red man," returned Charles ; "do not you
know he is said to haunt the Louvre ? D'AlenQon says he
has seen him, and we are in search of him."
" Success to your chase/' said Marguerite.
In a second she was at her door.
" Open, Gillonne ! " cried she.
Gillonne obeyed.
Marguerite sprang into the apartment, and found La
Mole resolute and calm his sword drawn. " Fly ! " said
the queen ; " fly instantly ! there is no time to be lost ! "
During her absence, La Mole had attached the ladder,
and he now stepped on it, after having tenderly embraced
the queen.
" Should I perish, remember your promise ! " said he.
" It is not a promise, but an oath. Adieu ! "
Encouraged by these words, La Mole glided down the
ladder.
At this moment some one knocked at the door.
Marguerite did not quit the window until she had seen
La Mole reach the ground in safety.
" Madame ! " said Gillonne ; " madame ! "
" Well/'
" The king is knocking at the door/'
" Open it."
Gillonne did so.
The four princes, doubtless impatient, stood at the
threshold ; Charles entered.
Marguerite advanced to meet him.
The king cast a rapid glance around.
" Whom are you seeking ? " asked the queen.
"Whom am I seeking ?" said Charles. " Corb&uf! I
am seeking M. de la Mole/*
"M. dela Mole?"
" Yes ! where is he ? "
Marguerite took her brother's hand, and led him to the
window.
At this moment, two men from beneath the window
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 333
started off on horseback, at full speed ; one of them de-
tached his white satin scarf, and waved it in the air.
They were La Mole and Orthon.
Marguerite pointed them out with her finger to Charles.
" What does this mean ? " asked he.
" It means," returned Marguerite, " that M. d'Alenqon
may put his cord in his pocket, and MM. d'Anjou and
Guise may sheathe their swords, for M. de la Mole will
not pass through the corridor to-night."
CHAPTER XL.
THE ATRIDES.
SINCE his return to Paris, Henry d'Anjou had not had
a confidential interview with his mother Catherine, of
whom, as everybody knows, he was the favorite son.
And Catherine really preferred this child for his cour-
age, or even more for his beauty. She alone knew of his
return to Paris, of which Charles IX. would have remained
ignorant if chance had not conducted him to the H6tel de
Conde at the moment when his brother was quitting it.
Charles had not expected him until the next day, and
Henry d'Anjou had hoped to conceal from him the two
motives which had hastened his arrival by a day, namely,
his visit to the lovely Marie de Cleves, Princess de Conde,
and his conference with the Polish ambassadors.
When the Duke d'Anjou, so long expected, entered his
mother's apartment, Catherine, usually so cold and un-
moved, and who, since the departure of her son, had em-
braced no one with warmth except Coligny, who was to
be murdered next day, opened her arms to the child of her
love, and pressed him to her heart with an effusion of ma-
ternal affection astonishing to find in that withered heart.
"Ah, madame," said he, "since Heaven gives me the
satisfaction of embracing my mother without witness,
pray console the most wretched man in the world."
334 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Eh, mon Dieu ! my dearest child/' cried Catherine,
" what has happened to yon ? "
" Nothing that you do not know, mother ; I am in love ;
I am beloved ; but this very love, which would form the
bliss of any other, causes my misery."
" Explain yourself, my son/' said Catherine.
" Ah ! mother these ambassadors this departure."
" Yes," said Catherine, " the ambassadors have arrived
the departure is nigh at hand."
" It need not be nigh at hand, but my brother urges it ;
he hates me ; I am in his way, and he would fain be rid
of me."
Catherine smiled.
" By giving you a throne ? unhappy crowned head ! "
" Oh, I need it not, mother," replied Henry, in agony ;
" I do not wish to go. I ! a son of France ! brought up
in the refinement of polished manners, beside a tender
mother ; beloved by one of the most charming women on
earth, must I go, then, amidst snows at the furthest ex-
tremity of the earth, to die by inches, amongst coarse
rough people, who are intoxicated from morning till night,
and gauge the capacities of their king as they do those
of a cask, according to the quantity it can hold ! No, no,
my mother, I will not go ; I will die first ! "
" Courage, Henry," said Catherine, pressing his hands
between her own, " let us inquire into the real rea-
son."
Henry lowered his eyes, as if he dared not let his mother
read what was in his heart.
" Is there no other reason," she asked, " less romantic,
more reasonable, more public ? "
" Mother, it is not my fault if this idea dwells in my
mind, and perchance retains a place it should not hold ;
but have you not said yourself that the horoscope of my
brother Charles prophesies that he will die young ?"
" Yes," replied Catherine, " but a horoscope may lie,
my son. I myself, at this moment, hope that all horo-
scopes are not true."
" But did not his horoscope declare this ?"
MARGUEKITE DE VALOIS. 335
" His horoscope spoke of a quarter of a century, but did
not say if it were for his life or for his reign."
" Well, then, dear mother, contrive that 1 remain ; my
brother is nearly four-and-twenty, and another year must
decide."
Catherine pondered deeply. " Yes, assuredly," she
said, "it would be better if it could be so arranged."
"Oh, judge then, my mother," cried Henry, " what
despair for me, if I were to exchange the crown of France
for the crown of Poland ! To be tormented there with
the idea that I might reign at the Louvre, in the midst of
this lettered and elegant court, near the best mother in
the world, whose counsels would save me one half of my
fatigue and labors, who, accustomed to bear with my
father a portion of the burthen of the state, would kindly
bear it also with me. Ah, my mother, I should have been
a great king ! "
" Come, come, my dearest child," said Catherine, to
whom this prospect had always been a very sweet hope,
" come, do not despair. Have you thought of any way
by which this could be arranged ? "
" Yes, assuredly, and that is the principal reason why
I returned two or three days before I was expected, making
my brother Charles believe that it was for Madame de
Conde ; then I have formed an acquaintance with Lasco,
the principal envoy, doing all I could to make myself un-
popular and disliked, and I hope I have succeeded."
"Ah, my dear son," said Catherine, " that is bad ; we
must always put the interest of France before your petty
dislikes."
" Mother, does the interest of France require, in case
of any misfortune happening to my brother Charles, that
D'Alengon or the King of Navarre should ascend the
throne ? "
" Oh, the King of Navarre ! Never ! never ! " mur-
mured Catherine.
" Ma foil " continued Henry, " my brother D'Alen9on
is no better, and does not love you more."
" Well," asked Catherine, " and what said Lasco ?"
336 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Lasco hesitated when I pressed him to seek an au-
dience. Oh ! if he would write to Poland, and annul the
election."
" Folly, my son ; very madness ! What a Diet has
consecrated is sacred."
" But then, mother, could not these Poles accept my
brother in my stead ? "
" This is difficult, if not impossible/'
" Never mind : try ; speak to the king, mother ; ascribe
all to my love for Madame de Cond6 ; say I am mad, crazy
about her. He saw me, besides, leave the hotel of the
prince with Guise, who does me every service in that
quarter."
'Yes, in order to make his league ; you do not perceive
this but I do."
" Yes, mother, yes ; but, in the meantime, I make use
of him. Should we not be glad when a man serves us
whilst serving himself ? "
" And what said the king when he met you ? "
" He seemed to believe what I told him, which was,
that love only had brought me back to Paris."
" But did he not ask you for any account of the rest of
the night?"
" Yes, mother ; but I went to sup at Nantouillet's
where I made a great riot, so that the king might hear of
it, and have no suspicion as to where I was."
"Then he knows nothing of your visit to Lasco ?"
" Nothing."
" So much the better. I will try, then, to speak for you,
my poor boy ; but you know the intractable disposition
of him with whom I have to deal."
" Charles will not allow me to remain. He detests me."
" He is jealous of you, my beautiful hero ! Why are
you so brave and fortunate ? Why, at scarcely twenty
years of age, have you gained battles like Alexander and
Caesar ? But do not open your heart to every one. Pre-
tend to be resigned, and pay your court to the king.
Leave all the rest to me. Apropos, and how succeeded
your expedition of last night ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 337
" It failed, mother. The gay gallant was warned, and
escaped by the window."
" Some day/' said Catherine, " I shall learn who is the
bad genius who thus counteracts all my projects. In the
meanwhile, I have my suspicion. Malediction be on
him ! "
"Then, mother " said the Duke d'Anjou.
" Leave me to manage all ; " and kissing Henry tenderly,
he left the apartment.
The princes of the house then arrived. Charles was in
a capital humor for the assurance of his sister Marguerite
had rather pleased than vexed him. He felt no offense
against La Mole otherwise, and had awaited him with
some ardor in the corridor, simply becaus^ it was a kind
of chase.
D'Alenc,on, on the other hand, was much preoccupied.
The repulsion he had always felt for La Mole had changed
into hate from the moment he knew that he was beloved
by his sister. Marguerite was, at the same time, medi-
tative and alert. She had to remember and to watch.
The Polish deputies had sent a copy of the harangues to
be pronounced.
Marguerite, to whom no more mention had been made
of the occurrences of the previous evening, than if they
had never taken place, read the discourses ; and except
Charles, every one discussed what the replies should be.
Charles allowed Marguerite to reply as she pleased. He
was somewhat difficult in his choice of words for D'Alen-
c, on ; but as to the discourse of Henry d'Anjou, he
attacked it bitterly, and made endless corrections and
additions.
This meeting, without having any decisive issue, tended
to envenom the feelings of all. Henry d'Anjou, who had
to rewrite nearly all his discourse, went out to perform
his task. Marguerite, who had not heard of the King of
Navarre since he had broken her window pane, went to
his apartment, in the hope of finding him there. D'Alen-
c,on, who had read the hesitation in his brother D'Anjou's
eyes, and surprised a meaning look between him and his
338 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
mother, withdrew to ponder over what might be the fresh
plot. Charles was going to his forge to finish a boar-
spear he was making for himself, when Catherine stopped
him.
Charles, who expected some opposition to his will from
his mother, paused, and gazed sternly on her.
" Well/' said he, " and what now ? "
" One other word, sire : we had forgotten it, and yet it
is of much importance. What day do you fix for the
public reception ? "
" True I" said the king, seating himself ; "let us talk
it over, mother. Well, what day shall it be ?"
. " I think," replied Catherine, " that in your majesty's
silence, your apparent forgetfulness, there was something
of deep calculation."
"Why so, mother?"
" Because/' added the queen-mother, very quietly,
" there is no need, my son, as it appears to me, that the
Poles should see us crave their crown with such avidity."
" On the contrary, mother," said Charles, "they have
hastened, by forced marches, from Warsaw hither. Honor
for honor politeness for politeness ! "
" Your majesty may be right in one sense, as in another
I am not wrong. Your opinion then is, that the public
reception should be hastened ? "
" Certainly ; and is it not yours also ? "
" Yon know that I have no opinions but such as are
connected with your glory : and I tell you then, that thus
hastening the affair, I should fear that you might be ac-
cused of profiting very quickly by this occasion which
presents itself for relieving France of the costs and charges
of your brother ; but which assuredly he repays by ren-
dering it back in glory and devotion."
" Mother," said Charles, " when my brother leaves
France, I will so richly endow him that no one will even
dare to think that yon fear what they may say "
" Well," said Catherine, " I give up, since yon have
such good answers to all my objections ; but to receive
this warlike people, who judge of the power of states from
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 339
exterior signs, you must have a considerable display of
troops ; and I do not think that there are yet enough
assembled in the Ile-de- France ?"
" Excuse me, mother, but I had foreseen this event,
and was prepared for it. I have recalled two battalions
from Normandy ; one from Guienne : my company of
archers arrived yesterday from Brittany : the light horss
spread over Lorraine will be in Paris in the course of the
day, and, whilst it is supposed that I can scarcely com-
mand four regiments, I have twenty thousand men ready
to appear/'
" Ah ! ah ! " said Catherine, surprised, " then there is
only one thing wanting ; but that you will procure."
" What is that ?"
" Money ; I imagine you have not a superabundance."
" On the contrary, madame, on the contrary," said
Charles IX. ; " I have fourteen hundred thousand crowns
in the Bastille : my private estates have this week brought
me in eight hundred thousand crowns, which I have
buried in my cellars in the Louvre ; and in case of need,
Nantouillet has three hundred thousand crowns besides,
at my disposal."
Catherine trembled ; for she had before seen Charles
violent and passionate, but never provident.
"Well, then," she added, "your majesty thinks of
everything admirable ! and if the tailors, embroiderers,
and jewelers use despatch, your majesty will be ready to
give this audience in less than six weeks."
" Six weeks ! " exclaimed Charles, " why, mother, the
tailors, embroiderers, and jewelers, have been hard at
work since the day when they learnt of my brother's
nomination, and all may be ready to-day, perhaps, but
certainly in three or four days."
" Ah," murmured Catherine ; " you are in greater
haste than I thought, my son."
" Honor for honor, as I have already said."
" Good ; then it is this honor done to the house of
France that flatters you is it not ? "
" Assuredly."
340 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" And to see a son of France on the throne of Poland
is your chief desire ? "
" Precisely so."
" Then it is the fact, and not the man, that affects you,
and whoever may reign there "
1 ' No, no, mother, corbceuf! no. Let us be as we are !
The Poles have made a good choice they are skilful,
clever fellows ! A military nation, a people of soldiers,
they take a captain for their ruler. Peste ! D'Anjou is
their man. The hero of Jarnac and Moncontour suits
them like a glove. Whom would you have me send them ?
D'AlenQon a coward ! he would give them a fine idea of
the house of Valois ! D'Alenqon would flee the very first
ball that whistled by his ears, whilst Henry d'Anjou is a
warrior bold and tried ; his sword always in his hand, al-
ways on the march, on his war-horse or on foot. Forward
cut down, thrust, crush, slay ! Ah, he is a brave and
skilful man, my brother D'Anjou : a gallant soldier, wholl
give them fighting from morning till night from the first
of January to the thirty-first of December ! He is not a
hard drinker, it is true ; but he will do his work in cold
blood, you see. He will be in his element, dear Henry
will ! On ! on ! to the field of battle ! bravo, trumpets
and drums ! Vive le roi ! Long live the conqueror I
Long live the general ! They will proclaim him emperor
three times a-year ! This will be admirable for the house
of France and the honor of the Valois ! he may be killed
perchance, but ventre-mahom ! it will be a glorious
death!"
Catherine shuddered, but her eyes glanced fire.
" Say," she cried, " that you wish to send your brother,
Henry d'Anjon away. Say you do not love your brother."
" Ah, ah, ah ! " exclaimed Charles, laughing nervously ;
" what, have you divined that I wished to send him away ?
Have yon divined that I do not love him ? And suppose
it were so ? Love my brother ! why should I love my
brother ? Ah, ah, ah, would you make me laugh ? " and
as he spoke, his pale cheeks were animated with feverish
red. " Does he love me ? Do you love me ? Is there,
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 341
except my dogs, Marie Touchet, and my nurse, is there
one living thing that has ever loved me ? No, no, I do
not love my brother ; I love only myself do you under-
stand ? and I do not prevent my brother from doing as I
do."
" Sire/* said Catherine, becoming animated in her turn,
" since you unfold your heart to me, I must open mine to
you. You act like a weak king like an ill-advised king :
you send away your second brother, the natural support
of your throne, who is, in all respects, fit to succeed you,
if and misfortune happened to you leaving, in this event,
your crown in jeopardy ; for, as you said, D'Alengon is
young, incapable, weak more than weak cowardly ! and
the Bearnais is waiting in the background ! "
" We\l,mort de tout les diables ! " cried Charles, " what
is that to me when I am dead ? The Bearnais is waiting
in the background, say you ? Corbceuf 7 so much the
better ! I said I loved no one I was wrong : I love
Harry yes, I love the good Harry, with his free air and
his warm hand, whilst I see around me none but false
eyes, and touch none but ice-cold hands. He is incapa-
ble of treason towards me, I will swear ! Besides, I owe
a recompense : they poisoned his mother, poor fellow ;
some persons of my family, too, it is said. Besides, I am
in good health ; but if I felt sick, I would send for him,
and he should not quit my side I would take nothing
but from his hand ; and, should I die, I would make him
King of France and Navarre, and, venire dupape! instead
of laughing at my death, as my brother would do, he would
weep, or at least appear to do so."
Had a thunderbolt fallen at Catherine's feet, she would
have been less alarmed than at these words. She remained
aghast, looking at Charles with a haggard eye ; and then,
at the end of a few seconds, she cried :
" Henry of Navarre ! Henry of Navarre, King of
France, to the prejudice of my children ! Ah, sainte Ma-
dona ! we will see ! It is for this you would send away
my son of Anjou ? "
" Your son ! and what, then, am I a son of the wolf,
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
like Romulus ? " cried Charles, trembling with rage, and
his eye sparkling as if it were on fire. " Your son ! You
are right ; and the King of France, then, is not your son ?
The King of France has no brothers ; the King of France
has no mother ; the King of France has no subjects ! the
King of France has no need of sentiment he has will.
He can do without being loved, but he will be obeyed ! "
" Sire, you have mistaken my words. I called him my
son who is about to leave me. I love him better at this
moment, because I fear to lose him at this moment. Is it
a crime for a mother to desire that her son should not
leave her ? "
" And I I tell you he shall leave you. I tell you he
shall leave France, and go to Poland, and that in two
days and if you add one word, in one day to-morrow ;
and if you do not smooth your brow, and lose the menace
that glares in your eyes, I will strangle him to-night, as
you would have strangled your daughter's lover yester-
night ; only I will not miss my clutch of him as we did of
La Mole."
At this threat Catherine bent down her head, and then
again instantly raised it.
" Ah, poor child 1 " she said, " your brother would kill
you ; but be tranquil, your mother will defend yon."
" Do you brave me ?" cried Charles. " Well, then, by
all the devils ! he shall die not this evening, but this very
moment. A weapon ! a weapon ! a dagger ! knife ! ah ! "
Charles, after having vainly sought all around for what
he asked for, saw the small stiletto which his mother wore
at her girdle, seized it, drew it from its shagreen and sil-
ver case, and rushed out of the chamber, with the deter-
mination of striking Henry d'Anjou wherever he found
him ; but on reaching the vestibule, his over-excited
strength gave way suddenly, and, extending his arm, he
let fall the keen weapon, which stuck in the floor, and
littering a lamentable cry, he swooned and fell on the floor,
whilst the blood flowed abundantly from his nose and his
month.
" Help ! " he cried ; " they kill me J help I help I "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 343
Catherine, who had followed, saw him fall, looked at
him for au instant without moving or calling, and then
recalled to herself, not by maternal instinct, but by the
difficulty of her situation, she opened a door, and shrieked
out :
" The king is taken ill. Help ! help ! "
At this cry, a crowd of servants, officers, and courtiers,
hastened to the young king ; but foremost of all a woman
rushed on, pushing aside the crowd, and raised Charles,
who was as pale as a corpse.
''They are killing me, nurse they are killing me ! "
murmured the king, bathed in perspiration and blood.
" They are killing my Charles ! " cried the good creature,
looking every one in the face in a way that made even
Catherine retreat ; " and who is killing you ? "
Charles uttered a sigh, and again fainted.
" Ah, ah ! " said the doctor, Ambroise Pare, whom they
had sent for ; " ah ! the king is very ill."
"Now, by choice of compulsion," said the implacable
Catherine to herself, "he must accede to a delay :" and
she left the king to go to her second son, who was awaiting
in the oratory the result of an interview so vitally impor-
tant to himself.
CHAPTER XLI.
THE HOROSCOPE.
ON leaving the oratory, in which her son had been ac-
quainted with what had passed, Catherine found Rene in
her chamber.
" Well," asked the queen, " have you seen him ?"
"Yes."
"How is he?"
"Rather better."
" Can he speak ? "
"No, the sword has traversed the larynx.'
344 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"I told you to make him write.''
" I tried, but he could only trace two letters, and then
fainted ; the jugular vein has been cut into, and the loss
of blood has greatly weakened him."
" Have you seen these letters ?"
"Here they are."
Rene took a paper from his pocket, and presented it to
the queen, who hastily opened it.
"An m and an o,'" said she. " Can it be, after all, M.
de la Mole and that the confession of Marguerite's was
only to avert suspicion ? v
" Madame," returned Rene, " if I may venture an opin-
ion, I should say M. de la Mole is too much in love to
trouble his head about politics ; and, above all, too much
in love with Madame Marguerite to serve her husband very
devotedly, for there is no deep love without jealousy."
" You think him in love, then ? "
"Desperately."
" Has he had recourse to you ? "
" Yes ; I made him a waxen image."
" Pierced to the heart ? "
"To the heart."
" Have you it still ? "
" At my house."
"I wonder," said Catherine, "if these cabalistic prep-
arations have really the power attributed to them ? "
" Your majesty knows even more than I what their
influence is."
" Does Marguerite love La Mole ? "
" Sufficiently to ruin herself for him. Yesterday she
saved him at the risk of her honor and her life ; you see all
this, and yet you doubt."
" Doubt what ? "
" Science."
"I doubt because science has deceived me," looking
fixedly at Rene".
" On what occasion ? "
" Ren6, have your perfumes lost their odor ?"
" No, madame ; not when I prepare them."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 34.5
"Well, well," said Catherine, "we will speak of that
some other time. Tell me what is necessary to arrive at
an idea of the probable length of a person's life ?"
" To know, first, the day of his birth, his age, and what
constellation he was born under. "
"Next?"
" To have some of his blood and hair."
" If I bring and tell you all you require, can you tell me
the probable time of his death ? "
" Yes within a few days."
" I have his hair, and I will procure some of his blood."
" Was he born in the day, or during the night ? "
" At twenty-three minutes past five in the evening."
" Be with me to-morrow at five o'clock ; the experiment
must be made at the precise hour of the birth."
" Good ! " said Catherine. " We will be there."
Ren6 saluted, and retired without affecting to notice the
" toe," which indicated that, contrary to her usual habits
the queen would not come alone.
The next morning, at daybreak, Catherine entered her
son Charles's apartment ; she had inquired after him at
midnight, and was informed that Maitre Ambroise Pare
was with him, and intended bleeding him if the same
nervous agitation continued. Shuddering even in his
slumbers, pale from loss of blood, Charles slept, his head
resting on his faithful nurse's shoulder, who, leaning
against the bed, had not changed her position for three
hours, fearing to disturb him.
Catherine asked if her son had not been bled. The
nurse replied he had, and so abundantly that he had twice
fainted.
The blood was in a basin in the adjoining room ; Cath-
erine entered, under pretense of examining it, and whilst
so doing, she filled with it a phial she had brought with
her for the purpose, then returned, hiding her red fingers,
that would otherwise have betrayed her, in her pockets.
As she reappeared, Charles opened his eyes, and per-
ceived his mother ; then, recollecting the events of the
previous evening, " Ah ! it is you, madame," said he ;
346 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"well, you may tell your dear son, Henry d'Anjou, it
will be to-morrow."
" It shall be when you please, my dear Charles ; com-
pose yourself, and go to sleep."
Charles closed his eyes, and Catherine left the room,
but no sooner had she quitted it, than Charles, raising
himself, cried, " Send for the chancellor the court I
want them all ! "
The nurse replaced his head upon her shoulder, and
sought to lull him to sleep.
" No, no, nurse ! " said he, " I shall not sleep any more.
Summon my people ; I wish to work to-day."
When Charles spoke thus, no one dared disobey, and
even the nurse, spite of the familiarity she enjoyed, did
not venture to dispute his orders. The chancellor was
summoned, and the audience fixed, not for the morrow,
but for the fifth day from that time.
At five o'clock, the queen and the Duke d'Anjou pro-
ceeded to Rene's, who, in expectation of their visit, had
prepared everything for the experiment. In the chamber
on the right, that is, in the chamber of sacrifice, a blade
of steel, covered with singular arabesques, was heating in
a brazier of charcoal. On the altar lay the book of fate,
and as the previous night had been very clear, Ren6 had
been enabled to consult the stars.
Henry d'Anjou entered first. He had false hair, and his
face and figure were concealed beneath a mask and large
cloak. His mother followed him, and had she not been
aware of his disguise, would not have recognized him.
The queen took off her mask ; D'Anjon, however, did not
follow her example.
" Have you consulted the stars ? " asked Catherine.
" I have, madame, and they have already informed me
of the past. The person whose fate you desire to know
has, like all persons born nnder Cancer, a fiery and ardent
disposition ; he is powerful, he has lived nearly a quarter
of a century $ Heaven has granted him wealth and power
is it not so, madame ? "
" Perhaps."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 347
" Have you his hair and blood ?"
" Here they are."
And Catherine gave the magician a lock of fair hair and
a small phial of blood.
Ren6 took the phial, shook it, and let fall on the glow-
ing steel blade a large drop of blood that boiled for a
second, and then spread itself into a thousand fantastic
shapes.
"Oh" cried Rene," I see him convulsed with agony.
Hark ! how he groans see, how all around him turns to
blood see how, around his death-bed, combats and wars
arise ; and see, here are the lances and swords ! "
" Will this be long first ?" asked Catherine, seizing the
hand of her son, who, in his anxiety to see, had leaned
over the brazier.
Ren6 approached the altar, and repeated a cabalistic
prayer ; then he rose, and announcing all was ready, took
in one hand the phial and in the other the lock of hair, and
bidding Catherine open at hazard the book of fate, he
poured on the steel blade all the blood and cast the hair
in the fire, pronouncing a mystic formula as he did so.
Instantly the Duke d'Anjou and Catherine saw on the
blade a figure resembling a corpse wrapped in a winding-
sheet.
Another figure, that of a woman, leaned over it.
At the same time, the hair burned, casting out one
jet of flame like a fiery tongue.
" A year," cried Rene, " scarce a year, and this man
shall die ! One woman alone shall lament over him ; and
yet, no : at the end of the blade is another female, with
an infant in her arms."
Catherine looked at her son, as if, though herself the
mother of the man whose death was announced, she would
ask him who these two women could be. But scarcely
had Rene finished, when the forms disappeared. Then
Catherine opened the book at hazard, and read, with a voice
that trembled in spite of herself the following distich:
" Ainsi a peri cil que 1'on redoutoi.,
Plutost, trop tost, si prudence n'etoit."
348 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" And for him that you wot of," said Catherine, " what
say the signs ? "
" Favorable as ever ; unless Providence interpose to
thwart his destiny, he is sure to be fortunate, but "
"But what I"
" One of the stars composing his pleiad was covered by
a black cloud during my observations."
"Ah, a black cloud ! but there is some hope ?"
" Of whom speak you, madame ?" asked D'Anjon.
Catherine drew her son on one side, and spoke to him
in a low voice.
During this interval, Rene, kneeling by the brazier,
poured into the hollow of his hand the last drop of blood.
" Strange," murmured he. " It only proves how little
can human knowledge compete with ours. To every one
but me, even to Ambroise Pare, this blood, so pure, so
full of health, promises years of life, and yet all will be
useless ere a year expire."
Catherine and Henry turned and listened.
"Ah \" continued Rene, "to the uninitiated the pres-
ent is manifest, but to us the future is also manifest."
" He will die, then, before the year be over ? " said the
queen-mother.
" As surely as there are three persons present who must
one day repose in the grave."
"Yet you say the blood indicates a long life ?"
" Yes, if things were to follow the natural course ; but
an accident "
" Ah, yes," whispered Catherine to Henry ; " an ac-
cident."
" The greater reason for staying."
" Oh, that is impossible."
Then, turning to Rene : " Thanks," said the young
man, disguising the tone of his voice ; " take this
purse."
" Come, count" said Catherine, purposely using this
title, to divert Renews suspicions. And they left the
chamber.
" Mother," cried Henry, " you hear ? an accident :
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 349
should it happen, I shall be four hundred leagues
away."
"Four hundred leagues may be accomplished in eight
days."
" Yes ; but who knows if they will suffer me to re-
turn."
" Who knows," replied the queen, ' ' but this illness of
the king's may be the accident of which Een6 spoke. Go,
Henry, go, and beware of irritating your brother, should
you see him."
CHAPTER XLII.
MUTUAL CONFIDENCES.
THE first thing the Duke d'Anjou learned on reaching
the Louvre was, that the solemn entry of the ambassadors
was fixed for the fifth day. The tailors and jewelers
waited on the prince with magnificent dresses and superb
ornaments which the king had ordered for him.
Whilst he fitted them on in a state of anger that brought
tears to his eyes, Henry of Navarre was amusing himself
greatly with a splendid collar of emeralds, a gold-hilted
sword, and a very valuable ring, which Charles had sent
him that morning.
D'Alen9on had just received a letter, and had retired to
his chamber, in order to read it at his leisure.
As to Coconnas, he was asking for his friend from every
echo in the Louvre. At length, the rumor of the affair
in the corridor began to be bruited about. Coconnas was
in the utmost grief : for a moment he believed that all
these kings and princes had killed his friend and thrown
his body into some dungeon.
He learned that D'Alengon had been of the party, and
overlooking the dignity that encompassed a prince of the
blood, he went to him to demand an explanation with as
little ceremony as if he had been a private gentleman.
D'Alen9on, at first, was inclined to show the door to an
impertinent who came to ask an account of his actions ;
850 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
but Coconnas spoke so sternly, his eyes glared with so
much rage, and an adventure of three duels in less than
twenty hours which he had had, placed the Piedmontese
so high, that he paused, and instead of giving way to his
first impulse, replied with a charming smile:
" My dear Coconnas, it is true that the king, furious at
having received on his shoulder a silver ewer, the Duke
d'Anjou, angry at having orange jam poured on his head,
and the Duke de Guise, humiliated by having been as-
sailed with a haunch of venison, combined to kill M. de
la Mole ; but a friend of your friend's averted the blow,
and I assure you the enterprise failed."
" Ah," said Coconnas, breathing as loudly at this in-
formation as a smith's bellows ; " ah, mordi! monseigneur,
that is well ; and I should like to know this friend, to
prove my gratitude."
D'Alenc.on made no reply, but smiled more agreeably
still, which made Coconnas believe that this friend was
none other than the prince himself.
" Well, monseigneur," he continued, " since you have
done so much as to tell me the commencement of this
story, will you complete the obligation by relating to me
the conclusion ?"
D'Alen9on shook his head.
" The worst of all," he said, " my brave Coconnas, is,
that your friend disappeared without any one knowing
whither."
"Mordi!" cried the Piedmontese, again turning pale
with indignation ; " but I will know where he is ! "
" Go to the Queen Marguerite." said D'Alen^on who
was as anxious as Coconnas to learn where De la Mole
was ; " she will know what has become of the friend you
lament/'
" I had already thought of doing so," replied Oo-
connas.
" Do so," added the prince ; " only do not say it wa* by
my advice ; for if you are so imprudent, you may not
obtain any information."
" Monseigneur," said Coconnas, "as your -royal high-
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. 351
ness recommends me to secrecy on this point, I will be as
mute as a tench, or the queen-mother. Good prince ! ex-
cellent prince ! magnanimous prince ! " murmured Cocon-
nas, as he went to the Queen of Navarre.
Marguerite was awaiting Coconnas ; for the noise of his
despair had reached her, and she almost forgave him his
somewhat coarse behavior to Madame de Nevers, whom
the Piedmontese had not visited, in consequence of a dis-
pute between them two or three days previously. He
was therefore introduced to the queen as soon as an-
nounced.
Coconnas entered, not altogether able to surmount the
embarrassment which he always felt to a certain extent
in the presence of the queen, and which was the greater
from her superiority of wit than of rank ; but Marguerite
greeted him with a smile which instantly reassured him.
" Ah, madame ! " he exclaimed, " restore my friend to
me, I entreat you ; or, at least, tell me what has become
of him ; for without him I cannot live. Suppose Eurya-
lus without Nisus, Damon without Pythias, or Orestes
without Pylades, and have pity on my misfortune at the
loss of my dear friend."
Marguerite smiled, and after having bound Coconnas
to secrecy, told him all about the escape by the window.
As to the place of his concealment, although Coconnas
urged her to reveal it with all earnestness, she decidedly
refused, but added :
" Well, if you wish to learn something decisive as to
your friend, ask the King of Navarre, who is the only
person that has a right to speak. As for me, all I can
tell you is, that he you are seeking lives ; have faith in my
word ! "
" I have faith in something still more sure, madame:
those lovely eyes have not been weeping."
Then, thinking he could not add anything to this com-
pliment, he retired, fully resolved to seek a reconciliation
with Madame de Nevers, just to find if she knew more
than Marguerite would tell him. The idea of leaving
Marguerite had almost broken La Mole's heart, and it was
352 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
rather to save the reputation of the queen than to pre-
serve his own life that he had consented to fly. Thus the
next evening he returned to Paris, to try and see Mar-
guerite, at her balcony. Marguerite, on her side, as if a
secret voice had informed her that he would be there, had
passed the evening at her window, and thus they had seen
each other with happiness, a sentiment that may be read-
ily imagined.
La Mole, anxious to be always near Marguerite, oc-
cupied himself in organizing, with all possible despatch,
the event which would restore her to him, namely, the
flight of the King of Navarre.
Marguerite having thus seen La Mole, and being aware
of his safety, was at ease with respect to him, but fearing
he might be watched and followed, she pertinaciously re-
fused to give him any other meeting than these a VEspa-
gnole, which took place every evening until the night be-
fore the reception of the ambassadors. On this evening,
about nine o'clock, when all the persons in the Louvre
were preoccupied with the preparations for next dav, Mar-
guerite opened her window and went into the balcony ;
but scarcely was she there, than the note she expected,
according to La Mole's usual custom, was thrown w'tn
his usual skill, and fell at the feet of his royal mistress.
As he had generally awaited her missive, Marguerite un-
derstood, that by anticipating her he had some important
intelligence to communicate, and read it with all haste.
The billet in the first page contained these words :
"MADAME, I must speak to the King of Navarre ; it
is on a most urgent matter. I am waiting."
And in the second page, which could be detached from
the other, was written :
"My LADY AND QUEEN, Manage that I may speak
with you. I am waiting."
Marguerite had scarcely finished the second side of this
letter than she heard the voice of Henry of Navarre, who,
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 353
with his usual reserve, tapped at the door, and asked
Gillonne if he might be allowed to enter.
The queen instantly divided the sheet of paper, put one
of the pages in her pocket, ran to the window, which she
shut, and going quickly to the door, said : " Come in,
sire."
Gently, quickly and cleverly as Marguerite had closed
the window, the sound had reached the ears of Henry,
whose senses were always on the alert, and who had in the
society he so greatly mistrusted acquired that exquisite
delicacy of hearing and sight which man acquires in a
savage state. But the King of Navarre was not one of
those tyrants who wish to prevent their wives from taking
the air and gazing on the stars. Henry was smiling and
urbane as usual.
" Madame/' he said, " whilst our people of the court
are trying on their fine apparel, I have come to have
a few words with you as to my affairs, which you still
regard as your own, do you not ? "
" Most assuredly, sir/' replied Marguerite; "are not
our interests always identical ?"
"Yes, madame; and therefore I wished to ask your
opinion as to the pains which D'Alenqon has taken for
several days to avoid me, so much so, that since the day
before yesterday he has betaken himself to Saint-Germains.
Do you not think from this, that it is his intention either
to go away alone, or not to go at all Let me, if you
please, have your ideas on this point ; for it would have
great weight with me if your opinion should coincide
with mine."
" Your majesty is quite right to feel uneasy as to my
brother's silence. I have thought of it all day ; and it is
my opinion, that, circumstances having changed, he has
changed with them."
" That is to say, that seeing King Charles ill, and the
Duke d'Anjou King of Poland, he would not be sorry to
remain in Paris to watch for the crown of France."
" Precisely so."
" I agree with you. This is all as I wish it," continued
354 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Henry. " Let him remain ; that will not alter onr plan ;
for I should require, to go alone, thrice the guarantees I
should have asked had your brother accompanied me,
whose name and presence in the enterprise would have
been my safeguards. The only thing that astonishes me
is, not having any tidings of De Mouy. Have you any
intelligence of him, madame ? "
"I, sire \" said Marguerite, astonished, "flow could
I possibly "
" Eh, pardieu, ma mie! nothing can be more natural.
You were so kind as to oblige me by saving young La
Mole's life ; he was sure to go to Mantes, and when there,
it was no great distance to return hither."
" Ah ! that gives me the solution to a riddle I have
sought for in vain," replied Marguerite. " I had left my
window open, and found on my return a kind of note on
the carpet."
" There, now ! " said Henry.
" A note which at first I could not comprehend, and
to which I attached no importance," continued Margue-
rite. " Perhaps I was wrong, and it comes from that
quarter."
"Very possibly," said Henry; "nay, most probably.
Might I see this note ? "
" Certainly, sire," replied Marguerite, handing to the
king the half sheet of paper which she had put in her
pocket.
The king looked at it.
"Is not this," he inquired, " the writing of M. de la
Mole?"
" I do not know," was Marguerite's reply ; " the letters
appear to me counterfeited."
" Never mind ; let us read." And he read :
" ' MADAME, I must speak to the King of Navarre.
It is on a most urgent matter. I am waiting.' Ah, do
you see ?" said Henry ; " he says he is waiting ! "
" Yes, I see he says ; but what then ? "
"Why, ventre-saint-gris I I wish him to come
here."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 355
" Come here ! " exclaimed Marguerite, fixing on her
husband her beautiful eyes, full of amazement ; " how
can you say such a thing, sire ? A man whom the king
has sought to kill who is marked down, menaced. Let
him come, do you say ! Is that possible ? Were doors
made for those who have been ?"
" Obliged to escape by the window, you would say.'*
" Precisely so."
' Well, but if they know the way by the window, they
may take that road again, since it is impossible for them
to enter by the door. That is simple enough, surely."
" Do you think so ?" said Marguerite, blushing with
pleasure at the thoughts of again having La Mole near
her.
I am sure of it."
'' But how can he ascend ?" inquired the queen.
"Did you not preserve the rope-ladder I sent you ?"
'' Yes, sire," said Marguerite.
"Then the whole thing will be capitally managed.
Fasten it to your balcony, and let it hang. If it be De
Mouy who awaits and I am induced to believe so he will
mount the ladder." And without losing his gravity,
Henry took the taper to light Marguerite in her search
for the ladder. The search was by no means tedious ; it
was discovered in a cupboard ID the celebrated closet.
" Here it is," said Henry. "And now, madame, if it
is not too much to ask of your complaisance, tie it, I beg,
to the balcony."
" Why me and not you, sire ? "asked Marguerite.
" Because the best conspirators are the most prudent :
the sight of a man might alarm your correspondent you
understand ?"
Marguerite smiled, and fastened the ladder.
" There," said Henry, ensconcing himself in the angle
of the apartment ; " now show yourself and now let the
ladder be dropped. Capital ! I am sure De Mouy will
come up."
And in a few minutes afterwards, a man joyously
placed his leg over the balcony ; but seeing that the queen
DUJIAS VOL. III. 16
356 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
did not approach him, remained for some minutes in hesi-
tation, and then Henry advanced.
"Ah !" said he, urbanely, "it is not De Mouy ; it is
M. de la Mole. Good evening, M. de la Mole. Enter, I
entreat you."
La Mole was for a moment amazed. Perchance, had
he still been on the ladder, instead of having his feet
firmly in the balcony, he would have fallen backwards.
" You desired to speak to the King of Navarre on an
urgent affair/' said Marguerite ; " I have informed him
BO, and here he is."
Henry went to the window, and closed it.
" I love thee ! " whispered Marguerite, pressing the
young man's hand ardently.
" Well, sir," said Henry, handing a chair to La Mole,
" what have we to say ? "
" We have to say, sire," he replied, " that I have left
M. de Mouy at the barrier. He desires to know if Manre-
vel has spoken, and if his presence in your majesty's
chamber is known."
" Not yet ; but it must be before long. We must there-
fore make haste."
" His opinion coincides with your majesty's, sire ; and if
to-morrow, during the evening, M. d'Alen9on is ready to
depart, De Mouy will be at the Porte Saint-Marcel with a
hundred and fifty men ; five hundred will await you at
Fontaineblean, and then you will gain Blois, Angoule'me,
and Bordeaux."
"Madame," said Henry, turning to his wife, "to-
morrow, I shall be ready ; shall you ? "
La Mole's eyes were fixed on Marguerite's with intense
anxiety.
"You have my word," replied the queen. "Whither-
soever you go, I follow you ; but you know M. d'Alengon
must go at the same time. There is no middle path for
him ; he is with us, or he betrays us ; if he hesitates, we
will not stir."
" Does he know anything of this proposed plan, M. de
la Mole ? " inquired Henry.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 357
" He had a letter from De Mouy several days since."
" Ah, ah! " said Henry, * ' and never told me a word of it."
" Be on your guard, sir be on your guard/' said Mar-
guerite.
" Be easy ; I am on my guard. But how to return an
answer to De Mouy ? "
" Do not be under any anxiety, sire. To-morrow, on
the right hand or left hand of your majesty, visible or
invisible, during the reception of the ambassadors, he will
be there ; one word in the queen's address will make him
understand whether you consent or not ; whether he
should flee, or await you. If the Duke d'Alen9on refuses,
he only requires a delay of a fortnight to reorganize every-
thing in your name."
" Eeally," replied Henry, "De Mouy is an invaluable
man. Can you introduce a phrase or two in your dis-
course, madame ? "
"Nothing easier," replied Marguerite.
"Well, then," said Henry, "I shall see M. d'Alenqon
to-morrow ; let De Mouy be at his post, and understand
from half a word."
" He will be there, sire."
"Well, then, M. de la Mole, go and bear him my reply.
You have, doubtless, a horse and servant somewhere near
at hand."
" Orthon awaits me on the quay."
" Go to him, comte. Oh, not by the window ; that is
very well on extreme occasions ; but you might be seen,
and as it would not be known that it was for me that you
exposed yourself, it would compromise the queen."
" But how then, sire ? "
" If you could not enter the Louvre alone, you can at
least go out of it with me who have the password. You
have your cloak, I have mine ; we will wrap ourselves up
well, and shall pass the wicket without difficulty. Wait
here whilst I see if the corridors are free."
Henry, with the most natural air in the world, went
out to examine if the way was clear. La Mole remained
alone with the queen.
358 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Oh, when shall we meet again ? " said La Mole.
" To-morrow evening, if we flee ; in the Rue Cloche-
Perc6e, if we do not flee."
"M. de la Mole," said Henry, returning, "you may
come ; there is no one there."
La Mole bowed respectfully before the queen.
" Give him your hand to kiss, madame," said Henry ;
" M. de la Mole is no common servitor."
Marguerite obeyed.
"Apropos," added Henry. " Put away the rope-ladder
carefully : it is a very precious instrument for conspira-
tors, and at the moment we least think of, it may stand
in stead. Come, De la Mole come 1 "
CHAPTER XLIII.
THE AMBASSADORS.
NEXT morning, the whole population of Paris poured
towards the Faubourg St. Antoine, by which it was de-
cided that the Polish ambassadors should enter ; a line of
soldiers restrained the crowd, and a regiment of horse
escorted the nobles and ladies of the court.
Soon appeared, close by the Abbey St. -Antoine, a troop
of cavaliers dressed in red and yellow, with furred mantles
and caps, and bearing large sabers curved like Turkish
scimetars. Behind this troop came a second, clothed with
oriental magnificence. They preceded the ambassadors,
who, four in number, gorgeously sustained the reputation
of their chivalrous country.
One of the ambassadors was the Bishop of Cracow ; hia
eostume was half ecclesiastical, half military, resplendent
with gold and jewels. Next the bishop rode the palatine
Lasco, a powerful noble, nearly related to the royal family,
rich as a king, and as proud. Behind these two principal
ambassadors, who were accompanied by two other pala-
tines of high rank, came a number of gentlemen, whose
MAEGUERITE DE VALOIS. 359
steeds, all glitering with gold and precious stones, ex-
cited the clamorous admiration of the populace.
Up to the last moment Catherine had hoped the recep-
tion would be deferred in consequence of the king's ill-
ness. But when the day arrived when she saw Charles,
pale as a specter, assume the royal robes, she saw she
must, in appearance at least, yield to his iron will, and
began to believe that the safest plan for Henry d'Anjou
was to depart into the splendid exile to which he was con-
demned.
The large reception chamber had been prepared, and as
such ceremonies were usually public, the guards and sen-
tinels had received orders to admit as many persons into
the apartments and courts as they could possibly contain.
As for Paris, it presented the same aspect that every
great city presents on similar occasions that is, confusion
and curiosity ; only, had any one attentively examined
the population, he would have remarked a considerable
number of men in cloaks, who exchanged glances and
signs when at a distance, and, when they met, a few
rapid words in a low tone. They seemed much occupied
with the procession, and received their orders from an old
man, whose keen black eyes, spite of his long white beard
and eyebrows, bespoke a \igorousactivity. This old man,
by his own and his followers' assistance, gained an en-
trance to the Louvre, and, thanks to the officer of the
Swiss guard, obtained a place behind the ambassadors, and
opposite Henry and Marguerite.
Henry, informed by La Mole that De Mouy in some
disguise would be present, looked round on every side.
At last his eyes encountered those of the old man, and
a sign from De Mouy dissipated all doubt as to his identity ;
for De Mouy was so perfectly disguised, that the King of
Navarre was doubtful as to whether this old man with a
white beard could be the intrepid Huguenot chief, who a
few days before had made so desperate a defense.
A word from Henry fixed Marguerite's attention on De
Mouy. Then her eyes wandered round the chamber in
eearch of La Mole. La Mole was not there.
860 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
The orations commenced. The first was to the king :
Lasco, in the name of the Diet of Poland, demanded his
consent to the Duke d'Anjou becoming their king.
The king's reply was brief and precise. He presented to
them the Duke d'Anjou, of whose courage he made a
high eulogium. He spoke in French, and an interpreter
translated what he said at the end of each sentence.
Whilst the interpreter was speaking, the king applied
his handkerchief continually to his mouth, and as often
as he removed it a stain of blood was visible.
When Charles had finished, Lasco turned to D'Anjou,
and offered him, in the name of the Diet, the throne of
Poland. Lasco's address was in Latin.
The duke replied, in the same language, and in a voice
he in vain strove to render firm, that he gratefully accepted
the honor offered to him. During all this time Charles,
who remained standing, with lips compressed, fixed his
eyes on him, like an eagle watching his prey.
When the duke had finished, Lasco took the crown of
the Jagellons from the velvet cushion on which it rested,
and whilst two Polish nobles, placed the royal robes on the
duke, deposited the crown in Charles's hands.
Charles signed to his brother. D'Anjou knelt before
him, and, with his own hands, Charles placed the crown
on his head, and the two brothers interchanged a kiss full
of bitter hate.
A herald then cried : " Alexander Edward Henry of
France Duke d'Anjou, is crowned King of Poland. God
save the King of Poland ! "
All the assembly repeated : " God save the King of
Poland !
Then Lasco turned to Marguerite. Her discourse had
been reserved till the last, and, as we have said, Marguerite
had composed it herself.
Lasco's address was rather a eulogy than an oration.
He had yielded, Sarmatian as he was, to his admiration of
Marguerite's beauty ; and while his language was that of
Ovid, his style was that of Ronsard. His discourse was
applauded by everybody : by those who understood Latin,
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 361
because they partook of his admiration ; by those who did
not understand it, because they wished it to appear as
though they did.
Marguerite, having made a gracious curtsey to the am-
bassador, fixed her eyes on De Mouy, and began thus :
" Quod nunc hac in aula insperati adestis exultaremus
ego et rex conjux, nisi ido immineret calamitas, scilicet
non solum fratris sed etiam amici orbitas." (" Your un-
looked-for presence in this court would overwhelm my hus-
band and myself with joy, did it not threaten us with a
great misfortune ; that is, not only the loss of a brother,
but also that of a friend.")
These words had a double meaning, and whilst intended
for De Moay, were supposed to refer to the Dnke d'Anjou.
The latter, accordingly, bowed in token of gratitude.
Charles did not recollect having read this sentence in
Marguerite's speech, when submitted to him some days be-
fore, but he did not trouble himself much about that ; and,
besides, he understood Latin very imperfectly.
Marguerite continued :
" Ade'o dolemur a te dividi ut tecum proficisci maluisse-
mus, sed idem fatum quo nnnc sine ulld mora Lutetia ce-
dere juberis, hac in urbe detinet. Proficiscere ergo, f rater ;
proficiscere amice ; proficiscere sine nobis ; proficiscentem,
sequentur spes et desideria nostra." ("We are grieved to be
separated from you, for we should have preferred going
with you ; but the same fate that compels you to quit
Paris without delay, retains us in that city. Go, dear
brother ; go, then, dear friend go without us. Our hopes
and our wishes will follow you.")
It is easy to understand how attentively De Mouy had
listened to these words, which, though addressed to the
Duke d'Anjou, were meant for him alone. Whilst listen-
ing, Catherine was struck with the black eyes so piercing
beneath their gray penthouses.
" What a strange face ! " thought she. " Who can this
man be who watches Marguerite so attentively, and whom
Henry and Marguerite, on their part, look at with such
earnestness ? "
362 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
The Queen of Navarre continued, whilst Catherine strove
in vain to divine the name of this strange old man, when
the master of the ceremonies came behind her, and present-
ed to her a little satin bag ; she opened it, and found a
paper containing these words : " Maurevel, by the aid of
a cordial I have administered to him, has, in some measure,
recovered his strength, and has written the name of the
man in the King of Navarre's chamber. This man was M.
de Mouy."
" De Mouy," thought the queen, " I fancied it was he ;
but this old man eh, cospetto ! this old man is "
She leaned towards the captain of her guards.
" Do you see/* whispered she, " that old man with the
white beard, and in the black velvet dress, behind Lasco ? "
"He to whom the King of Navarre made a sign ?"
" Yes ; do not lose sight of him ; station yourself at the
door with ten men, and when he comes out, invite him,
in the king's name, to dinner ; if he accept, conduct him
to the chamber, and keep him there ; if he resist, seize
him, dead or alive."
Fortunately, Henry had glanced at Catherine, and ob-
serving her eyes fixed so earnestly on De Moy, became
uneasy ; when he saw her give an order to the captain of
the guard, he guessed all. It was then he made the sign
De Nancey had observed, and which meant, " Save your-
self you are discovered ! " But Henry was not quite re-
assured until De Nancey returned, and he saw by Cath-
erine's face that the officer had been unsuccessful.
The audience was finished. The king rose with diffi-
culty, saluted the ambassadors, and retired, leaning on
Ambroise Pare, who, since his accident, had not quitted
him an instant. The Duke d'Alenqon had been a mere
nobody throughout the ceremony ; and Charles's eyes, which
had been fixed on D'Anjou, had not once been turned to-
wards him.
The new King of Poland felt himself lost. Carried off
by those barbarians, far from his mother, he was, so to
speak, a second Antaeus, removed from the earth to which
he owed his strength. Instead of following the king, he
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 353
retired to his mother's apartments. On seeing her beloved
son pale beneath the crown, and bending beneath the
royal mantle. Catherine advanced towards him.
" Oh, mother ! " cried the king, " I am condemned to die
an exile/'
" My son/' returned Catherine, " have you so soon for-
gotten Rene's prediction ? Tranquillize yourself ; you will
not be there long."
" Mother, I entreat you/' said the Duke d'Anjou, " on
the least probability of the crown of France being vacant,
inform me."
" My son," replied the queen, "until the day we both
of us await, a horse shall be always saddled in my stable,
and a courier ever in my antechamber ready to set out for
Poland."
CHAPTER XLIV.
OKESTES AND PYLADES.
HENRY D'ANJOU once departed, peace and happiness
seemed to have returned to the Louvre. Charles, laying
aside his melancholy, resumed his usually fine and vigorous
health, either hunting each day with Henry, or, if prevented
from following that sport, passing the time in discuss-
ing subjects relating to it, and scolding his brother-in-
law for the indifference he betrayed for hawking, declaring
that he would be the most accomplished prince of his time,
if he did but understand the management of falcons, ger-
falcons, hawks, and tiercelets, as perfectly as he did brocks
and hounds. Catherine had returned to all the duties of
a good mother. Kind and gentle towards Charles and
D'Alenqon affectionate to Henry and Marguerite gra-
cious to Madame de Nevers andMadame de Sauve, she even
carried her amiability so far as to visit Mau revel twice
during the time he lay ill in his residence, situated Rue de
la Cerisaie alleging, as a reason for this condescension on
her part, that the unfortunate object of her pity had been
364 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
wounded while in the discharge of orders received from
herself. Marguerite followed up her love affairs after the
Italian mode of conducting such matters. Each evening
she stood at her open window, and, both by writing and
gestures, kept up a continual correspondence with La
Mole ; while, in each of his letters, the impatient young
man reminded his lovely mistress of her promise to see him
in the Rue Cloche-Percee.
In a word, there remained but one lonely and discon-
tented person amidst the various members of the now
calm and tranquil Louvre.
It was certainly something to know that La Mole still
lived much to be the object of decided preference to so
charming and capricious a person as Madame de Nevers ;
but the Piedmontese would thankfully have surrendered all
the tender meetings granted him by the duchess, as well
as all the consolatory assurances of Marguerite touching
the safety of their common friend, for one hour's enjoy-
ment of his dear La Mole's company.
Urged by the wishes of her own heart, as well as by the
supplications of La Mole, and the deep despair of the
woe-begone Coconnas, Marguerite had appointed to meet
Henriette at the house with the double entrance, and en-
deavor there to discuss, fully and uninterruptedly, those
subjects all four had so much at heart.
Coconnas received Henriette's summons to be in the
Rue Tizon at half-past nine with a very ill grace. Never-
theless, he was punctual to the assignation, where he found
Henriette already arrived, and not a little offended at
being there first.
"Fie, monsieur !" cried she, as he entered, "is this
well, to make I will not say a princess, but a lady wait
for yon ? "
" Wait ? " replied Coconnas. "Hike that ! I'll wager
you what you like, that we are before our time."
" I was here certainly before the time fixed."
" Well, and so was I, or, at least, I should have been,
but for a circumstance. What's o'clock now ? Scarcely
ten, I think."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 365
" And my letter named half-past nine as the hour you
were to meet me here."
" For the purpose of being punctual, I quitted the Louvre
at nine o'clock to repair hither ; but when I reached the
corner of the Eue de Grenelle, I perceived a person whom
I mistook for La Mole."
" Always something tedious about that La Mole ! "
" Certainly, either with your leave or without it."
"Brute !"
" Upon my word/* said Coconnas, " we seem bent
upon paying each other compliments to-night."
" You are really overpoweringly civil, it must be con-
fessed ; but go on with your story, if it must be so, and let
me hear what became of your meeting with the individual
so like your dear La Mole. But, stay ! for heaven's sake,
how comes this blood upon your doublet ?"
" Ah, that fellow must have sprinkled me when we were
fighting together."
"Have you, then, fought any one ?"
" To be sure I have."
"And still on La Mole's account."
" For whom do you think I should fight ? For a
woman ? No, no ; I will tell you all about it. I followed
the person who had dared to take upon himself to imitate
the walk and manner of my friend, and overtook him in
the Hue Coquillie're. I eyed him in every way, by the light
from a shop window well, it was not my poor La Mole ! "
" So far, so good ! "
" Aye, but my unknown gentleman turned quite angry
about my following him ; and when I said, ' Sir, you are
an ass and a fool to take upon yourself to bear a distant
resemblance to my friend M. de la Mole, who is an accom-
plished cavalier, while it only requires a nearer view of
you to perceive you are only a vulgarian ! ' he drew his
sword I did the same ; and at the third pass, my angry
gallant fell senseless at my feet sprinkling me with his
blood in falling."
" And did you not afford him any succor ? "
" Just as I was about to do so, another cavalier, but
366 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
mounted on horseback, came by. Well, this time, duchess,
I thought I was quite sure of finding La Mole, for he
resembled him even more than the preceding he was
going a great pace, but that did not deter me from running
after him as hard as I could ; but I was obliged to stop to
get a little breath, and, in the meantime, the horseman
disappeared ; and, tired aud dispirited with having had so
unsuccessful a chase, I determined to come here ! "
"Upon my word," said the duchess, your conduct is
most flattering ! It is quite easy to perceive you no longer
love me."
" On the contrary, duchess, I idolize you ; but you do not
understand the thing. Is it not quite possible for me to
love and cherish and dote upon you, and yet employ my
spare time in eulogizing my friend 1 "
" You call the moments passed with me spare time I"
ef I can't help it : that poor De la Mole is forever in my
thoughts ! "
et And you prefer him to me ! I see, I know you do I
Annibal, I hate and detest you there ! now I've said it.
Why not deal candidly with me, and tell me you prefer this
friend to me only one thing I warn you that if you dare
to prefer any creature in the world to me, I'll 111 "
" Heuriette, most lovely duchess ! let me advise you, for
the sake of your own tranquillity, not to ask unwise
questions be satisfied that I love you, best of women ;
but you must also permit me the privilege of loving La
Mole above all other men."
" Well answered ! " said a strange voice, suddenly, and
a large damask curtain being raised, discovered a panel,
which, sliding back into the wall, and forming a mode of
communication between the two apartments, discovered
La Mole standing in the doorway, like one of Titian's
splendid paintings set in a gilded frame.
" La Mole ! " exclaimed Coconnas, without taking the
slightest notice of Marguerite, or in any way thanking her
for the delightful surprise she had arranged for him ;
" La Mole ! my friend ! my dear, dear friend ! "
So saying, he threw himself into his friend's arms, knock-
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 367
ing over the table that stood in his way, as well as the arm-
chair he had been sitting in.
La Mole returned his greetings with equal warmth ;
then, addressing the Duchess de Nevers : "You must
pardon me, madame, if the mention of my name has been
allowed to disturb your happiness ; all I can say/' con-
tinued he, regarding Marguerite with ineffable tender-
ness, "is, that it has not been my fault that we have not
seen each other before this."
" Yon see, Henriette," said Marguerite, taking up the
conversation, " I have kept my word ; here he is ! "
Meanwhile, Cocoimas, after having embraced his friend,
and walked round and round him a dozen times ; after
even holding a candelabra to his face, the better to gaze
on his beloved features, suddenly turned towards Mar-
guerite, and kneeling down reverentially, kissed the hem
of her robe.
" Well, well ! " said the Duchess de Nevers, " you
seem to forget that I am present ; I suppose I have grown
quite unendurable in your eyes."
" Mordi ! " replied Coconnas, " you are, as you ever
have been, the goddess of my idolatry : the only difference
being, that I can now tell you so with a lighter heart ; and
were a host of savage nations standing by, I would insist
and maintain that all their hyperborean and barbarous
countries together could produce nothing so perfect, so
lovely, as you, my queen of beauty."
" Gently, gently, Coconnas/' interposed La Mole ; "do
you forget that Madame Marguerite is here ? "
" That makes no difference," answered Coconnas, with
that half-serious, half-comic air and manner so peculiarly
his own ; " I will still assert that Madame Henriette is
the queen of beauty, while Madame Marguerite is a beauty
of a queen ! "
" Come, then, my beautiful queen ! " said Madame de
Nevers, perceiving that Coconnas had neither eyes nor ears
for any one but La Mole, " let us leave these tender
friends to have an hour's chat together. M. Coconnas
will perhaps be a little more rational after that."
368 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Marguerite whispered a few words to La Mole, and then,
with Madame de Nevers, passed through the open panel
to the next room, where sapper was awaiting them.
The two young men were then left alone.
The first questions asked by Coconnas were touching
that fatal evening, which had well nigh cost him his life.
In proportion as La Mole proceeded in his narration, the
Piedmontese shook with intense emotion..
" And why ? " inquired he, " instead of running about
half wild as you have done, and causing me the uneasiness
you have done, did you not seek refuge with our master
the duke, who would have received and protected you ? "
" Do you mean the Duke d'Alen9on ? " whispered La
Mole, "when you say our master ? 'Tis to the King of
Navarre I owe my life."
" Excellent, noble king ! but what part did the Duke
play in the affair ? "
Oh, he held the cord with which I was to be
strangled."
" Mordi ! " exclaimed Coconnas, springing up with
violent energy ; ' ' are you sure of that ? What ! a pale-
faced, sickly-looking prince, a currish mongrel, dare to lay
his hands on my friend ! Strangle him, indeed ! ha ha !
mordi ! by to-morrow he shall hear my opinion on the
subject."
"Are you mad, Coconnas ? For Heaven's sake, calm
yourself, and endeavor to recollect.. that it is half-past
eleven o'clock, and that you are in waiting to-night at the
Louvre."
" What care I for that ? Good ! he may wait long ere
he has my attendance. What, do you suppose I will ever
again serve a man who has held a cord to murder my
friend with ? You are jesting ! No, no, the hand of
Providence has reunited us, and from you I go no more.
If you stay here, I remain also."
" For the love of Heaven, Coconnas, mind what you
are about. You are sober, I trust ? "
" Luckily I am, or I should most certainly set the
Louvre on fire."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 369
" Come, come, Annibal," persisted La Mole, " act like
a reasonable being ; return to your duties, or inform the
duke that you quit his service."
" To be sure, to be sure ; that is quite the right thing
and I will do it. I'll write him a few lines directly/'
" Write, Coconnas ! you make light work of writing to
a prince of the blood.'*
" Ah, but whose blood that of my friend ? Have a
care ! " exclaimed Coconnas, rolling his large fierce-look-
ing eyes ; " I may yet be tempted to break through eti-
quette beyond the mere sending of a written notice to
quit his service."
So saying, Coconnas took the pen without further oppo-
sition from his friend, and hastily composed the following
specimen of epistolary eloquence :
" MY LORD, There can be no doubt but that a person
versed as is your highness in the writings of all authors of
classical antiquity, must be perfectly well acquainted
with the touching story of Orestes and Pylades, two heroes
celebrated alike for their misfortunes and deep friendship.
My friend La Mole is equally unfortunate as was Orestes,
while I can boast of the same devoted attachment as that
which possessed Pylades. Affairs of the utmost importance
to him demand my aid and assistance at this particular
moment, and render it quite impossible for me to quit him.
I am therefore compelled (craving your highness's pardon
for the same) to take a holiday, for the purpose of remain-
ing with the dear friend I mean to part from no more, but
to follow his fortune whithersoever it may lead me.
" I beg your highness to believe the deep sorrow it causes
me to withdraw myself from your service, as also the deep
respect with which I subscribe myself, my lord,
"Your highness's
" Most humble and obedient servant,
" AlOTIBAL, COMTE DE COCOKISTAS,
" And the inseparable friend of M. de la Mole."
This chef-d'oauvre terminated, Coconnas read it aloud
to La Mole, who merely shrugged his shoulders.
24
370 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
" Well, what do you think of it ? " inquired Coconnas,
who either had not seen his friend's gesture, or feigned not
to have done so.
" Why, I say that M. d'Alengon will laugh at us both,
as a pair of simpletons/'
" Better do that than strangle us. Now, then, I will
speak to our host to get my letter despatched to the
Louvre."
At this moment the panel was slid back.
" Well," inquired both princesses in the same breath ;
" and how are Pylades and Orestes, by this time ? "
" Mordi ! madame ! " replied Coconnas, " they are both
dying with love and hunger. "
It was Maitre la Huriere himself, who, at nine o'clock
the following morning, carried to the Louvre the respect-
ful missive of Comte Annibal de Coconnas.
CHAPTER XLV.
ORTHON".
OF NAVARRE, after the refusal of the Duke
d'Alengon, which left everything undecided and in peril,
even his very existence, had become, if possible, more inti-
mate with the prince than he had been before : from which
circumstance Catherine concluded that not only did the
two princes understand each other perfectly well, but also
that they were engaged in some mutual plot or conspiracy.
She questioned Marguerite on the subject, but Margue-
rite was worthy of her mother ; and so skilfully did the
Queen of Navarre parry her mother's inquisitorial inquiries,
that although replying with apparent openness and candor
to each, she contrived to throw a still greater mystery over
the affair than it was before involved in.
The Florentine had thus no guide through the labyrinth
of her thoughts but the spirit of intrigue she h?d brought
with her from Tuscany ; and the first conclusion she came
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 371
to was, that as the hated Bearnais derived the principal
part of his strength from his alliance with the Duke d'Alen-
<jon, it would be expedient to separate them as speedily as
possible.
Prom the instant in which she formed this resolution,
Catherine continued to beset her son with a patience and
ability worthy of the most indefatigable angler, who, hav-
ing dropped his bait near the prey he desires to secure, in-
stantly draws it ashore, till his victim is unconsciously
lured into his power.
Duke Fran9ois was conscious of the increased affection
shown him by his mother, whose advances he received
with every manifestation of pleasure. As for Henry, he
affected to know nothing of what was going on, but he kep f
a more watcaful eye on his ally than he had hitherto done.
Everybody seemed to await some great event by which
to shape their course. During this state of things it was,
that one fine summer day, when the sun had risen with
even more than wonted splendor, and the rich balmy air
was filled with the odor of a thousand flowers, a pale and
sickly looking man came forth from a small house situated
behind the Arsenal, and feebly dragged his way, support-
ing himself by a staff, towards the Rue de Petit-Muse.
Having reached the Porte St.-Antoine, he diverged from
the Boulevard and entered the Archery Garden ; the man
who kept the gate receiving him with every demonstration
of respect.
No person was in the garden, which (as its name ex-
pressed, belonged to a society called the Toxophilites), but
had there been ever so many spectators, the pale stranger
would have well merited their commiseration and sympathy ;
for his long mustache and military air and step, though
somewhat weakened by sickness and suffering, sufficiently
indicated that he was some officer recently wounded, and
now seeking to regain his strength by essaying to take
exercise in the open air. Yet strange to say, when the
cloak with which (spite of the increasing warmth) the ap-
parently harmless visitant was clad flew open, it displayed
a pair of long pistols hanging to the silver clasps of his
372 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
belt, which also sustained a dagger and a sword of colossal
size, the latter of which hung heavily at his side, and, with
its ponderous sheath, clattered against his shrunken and
trembling legs.
Arrived in the garden, the individual selected for his
resting-place a sort of small covered arbor looking on to
the Boulevards, from which it was only separated by a thick
hedge and by a small ditch, which formed as it were a
second enclosure. Extending his weary lim ->s on a turfy
bank, within reach of a table, he beckoned the porter, who,
in addition to the duties of concierge, exercised also the
vocation of a vintner, and saying a few words, was quickly
supplied with what appeared to be a species of cordial.
The invalid had been abou f ten minutes in his shady
retreat, slowly discussing the draught brought to him by
the concierge, when suddenly his countenance, spite of its
interesting pallor, assumed a fearful expression. He had
just detected the approach of a cavalier, who, turning
quickly round the corner of a street, advanced, wrapped
in a large cloak, and stopped just before his eyes. Scarcely
had the pale stranger in the arbor (who was no other than
Maurevel) a little recovered from the agitation occasioned
by the unexpected presence of the cavalier, than he ob-
served that the latter was joined by a second person, dressed
in the garb of a page.
Concealed beneath his leafy bower, Maurevel could see
and hear all that passed in a conversation, the importance
of which may be imagined, when it is known that the
cavalier in the cloak was De Mouy, and the young man
Orthon the page.
Both looked carefully around them, while Maurevel held
his breath, lest a sound should escape him.
" You may speak now in safety," said the younger and
more confident of the two : " we are quite secure here ;
none can either see or hear us."
" 'Tis well ! " answered De Mouy. " Now attend ! you
are to go to Madame de Sauve's, and should she be at home,
give this into her own hands ; but if she be not in her
apartments, then place the letter where the king is accus-
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 373
tomed to deposit his behind the mirror. Wait at the
Louvre ; and if any reply is sent, bring it, you know where.
Should you not be charged with an answer, then meet me
to-night, with a petronel, at the spot I pointed out to you,
and which I have just left."
" Enough ! " said Orthon ; " I understand."
"I must now leave you," continued De Mouy : "I have
much to do during the day. It will be useless for you to
go to the Louvre till Tie is there ; and I have every reason
to believe he will be engaged all day studying hawking ;
so be gone, my boy, and execute your bidding : fear not to
show yourself at the Louvre you can say that, being now
quite recovered, you come to thank Madame de Sauve for
the kind care she took of you during your illness."
Maurevel, with fixed gaze, continued to listen till the
perspiration gathered in large drops on his forehead. His
first impulse had been to detach one of the pistols from his
belt, and take deadly aim at De Mouy, but at that instant
the sudden opening of thelatter's cloak displayed a cuirass
firm and solid enough to resist all such futile attempts.
Then, again, he reflected, that merely separated by so
slight a barrier, one spring would bring De Mouy on him ;
and what chance could a poor wounded, enfeebled being
like himself have with so powerful an assailant ? with a
sigh, therefore, he drew back the weapon, mentally ex-
claiming :
" How unfortunate that I cannot stretch him dead on
the spot, without any other witness than that young varlet,
who would have served as a capital mark for my second
pistol ! "
Then, on the other hand, it occurred to him that the
billet sent by the page to Madame de Sauve might prob-
ably be better worth taking than the life of the Huguenot
chief.
"Well," said he, "be it so, then ; you escape me this
morning, but to-morrow I will settle a 11 scores with you,
if I pursue you to that hell from which you ha, 9 sprung to
ruin me, unless I first destroy you! "
At this instant, De Mouy, folding his cloak around him,
374: MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
and concealing his features in its large folds, departed in
the-direction of the Temple, while Orthon took the road
that conducted to the banks of the river.
Then Maurevel, rising with more of energy and vigor
than he had ventured to reckon on, regained the Eue de la
Cerisaie, caused a horse to be saddled, and, weak as he was
and at the risk of again opening his newly-closed wounds,
he set off at full gallop towards the Rue Saint- Antoine,
reached the quays, and darted into the Louvre.
Five minutes after he had passed the wicket, Catherine
was in full possession of all that had transpired, aid
Maurevel had received the thousand golden crowns prom-
ised him for the arrest of the King of Navarre.
"Yes yes ! " exclaimed Catherine, ex ultingly, "either
lam much deceived, or De Mouy will turn out thj black
spot discovered by Rene in the horoscope of this detested
Bearnais."
A quarter of an hour after De Maurevel, Orthon reached
the Louvre, and having fearlessly shown himself, as direct-
ed by De Mouy, proceeded, unmolested, to the apartments
of Madame de Sauve, where he found only Dariole, who
informed him that her lady was occupied, by the queen's
orders, in transcribing letters for her majesty, who had
summoned her for that purpose within the last five
minutes.
" It does not signify," replied Orthon ; " I can wait."
Then, profiting by the freedom he had always been per-
mitted to observe, he went into the adjoining chamber,
which was the sleeping-room of the baroness, and after as-
suring himself that he was unobserved, carefully deposited
the billet behind the looking-glass. Just as he was with-
drawing his hand from the mirror, Catherine entered the
room. Orthon changed color, for he fancied the quick,
searching glance of the queen-mother was first directed to
the glass.
" What are you doing here, my little fellow ?" asked
Catherine j "seeking for Madame de Sauve, I sup-
pose ? "
" Yes, indeed, your majesty ; it is a long time since I
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 37-5
saw her, and if I delay returning her my grateful thanks,
I fear she will think me ungrateful."
" You love Madame de Sauve, then, very much, do you
not?"
" Oh, that I do, with all my heart ! I can never forget
the kindness Madame de Sauve condescended to bestow oil
a humble servitor like myself. "
" And upon what occasion was it that she showed you
all this care and attention ?" inquired Catherine, feigning
to be ignorant of what had befallen the youth.
" When I was wounded, madame, the night that they
tried to arrest the King of Navarre. I was so terrified at
the sight of the soldiers, that I called out for help, upon
which one of them gave me a blow on the head, and I fell
senseless to the ground."
" Poor child ! and you are now quite recovered ? "
" Oh, quite, madame !"
" And that being the case," continued Catherine, " I
suppose you are trying to get back into the service of the
King of Navarre ? "
" No, indeed, madame ; when the King of Navarre
learned that I had presumed to resist your majesty's orders,
he dismissed me in heavy displeasure/'
" Eeally ! " said Catherine, with atone expressive of the
deepest interest. " Well, I will take the arrangement of
that affair into my own hands ; but if you are looking for
Madame de Sauve, you will do so in vain ; she is at this
moment busily occupied in my apartments, and likely to
be detained much longer over her employment."
Then, thinking that Orthon might not have had time to
place his billet behind the glass previous to her entrance,
she returned to the adjoining chamber, in order to afford
the requisite opportunity for his so doing.
But just ..s Orthon, uneasy at the unexpected arrival of
the queen-mother, was asking himself whether the circum-
stance did not in some way forebode evil to his master, he
heard three gentle taps against the ceiling, the very signal
he was in the habit of using to warn his master of the ap-
proach of danger during his visits to Madame de Sauve.
376 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
He started at the sound : a sudden light seemed to break
in upon his mind, and he appropriated the warning to him-
self danger was near, doubtless ; and hastily springing
towards the mirror, he withdrew the paper he had pre-
viously placed there.
Through a rent in the tapestried hangings, Catherine
watched every movement of the youth ; she saw him dart
forward to the mirror, but whether to take away or to con-
ceal the coveted paper, she could not detect. Returning
to the apartment, with a smiling countenance, she said :
" "What, here still, my little man ? What can you be
waiting for ? did I not promise to take charge of your
future prospects ? Do you doubt my word ? "
"Heaven f orf end, madam e \" replied Orthon, bowing
low ; then kneeling before the queen, he kissed the hem
of her robe, and hastily, quitted the room. As he went
out, he observed the captain of the guards, waiting the
orders of Catherine, in the antechamber. This was far
from calming his apprehensions ; on the contrary, it in-
creased the vague terror under which he already labored.
Immediately the folds of the massy curtain which hung
before the door had closed on the form of Orthon, Cath-
erine darted into the chamber, where she expected to find
the so-ardently-desired billet ; but vainly did she thrust
her eager hand behind the mirror ; no paper of any kind
was there. Again she shook the solid frame, tapped
against the glass, looked diligently around, to see if aught
had fallen. All her impatient research availed not no
letter could she find. Yet her eyes had not deceived her :
she had distinctly seen the youth approach the mirror ;
but doubtless the action she witnessed was to repossess
himself of his deposit not to place his billet.
"Unhappy boy I" cried she ; "what evil destiny urged
you thus to attempt to measure strength with me. I had
rather not have been your enemy, as I now must be.
Ho ! there, M. de Nancey ! "
The sonorous voice of the queen traversed the salon,
and penetrated even to the ante-room, where M. de Nance~
awaited her orders. ' I
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 377
At the sound of his name, thus pronounced, the cap-
tain of the guards lost not an instant in obeying the sum-
mons.
" What is your majesty's pleasure ?" said he, on enter-
ing.
" Did you but now observe a youth nay, a mere child
go hence ? "
" I did, madame."
" Call him back."
" By what name shall I address him ? "
" By that of Orthon. Should he refuse to return, bring
him back by force, but do not alarm him, if he comes un-
resistingly. I must speak with him directly."
The captain of the guards rushed out to obey the queen.
Orthon had scarcely got half way down-stairs, when he
heard himself called, and a cold shudder seized him, for
he guessed who had sent for him.
His first impulse was to fly, but with an accuracy of
judgment above his years, he quickly perceived that flight
would be certain ruin. He therefore stopped, and in-
quired :
" Who calls me ? "
" I do M.de Nan cey," replied the captain of the guards,
hurriedly descending the stairs.
" But I am in a very great hurry, and cannot stay,"
replied Orthon.
" By order of her majesty the queen-mother, I com-
mand you to accompany me back."
The terrified boy wiped the perspiration from his brow,
and followed M. de Nancey back to the apartments of
Madame de Sauve.
As Orthon * entered the apartment where the queen-
mother awaited, he trembled, and a deathly paleness came
over him. The poor boy was as yet too young to exercise
a more practised control over himself. " Your majesty,"
said he, with a palpitating heart, ' ' has done me the honor
to recall me may I presume to inquire for what pur-
,-pose?"
pr( " Child !" answered Catherine, with a bright and en-
878 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
conraging smile, " your countenance pleases me, and hav-
ing promised to interest myself in your welfare, I am de-
sirous of so doing without any delay ; but first tell me,
are you able to ride well ? "
" Oh, yes, madame ! "
"Tis well ; then come to me in my closet, and I will
give you a message to carry to St-Germains."
" I am at your majesty's commands."
" Then order a horse to be prepared, M. de Nancey."
The captain of the guards disappeared on his errand.
" Now then, boy ! " said Catherine, leading the way and
signing for Orthon to follow her.
The queen-mother descended a floor, then entered the
corridor in which were situated the apartments of the
Duke d'Alen9on and the king, reached the winding stair-
case, again descended a flight of stairs, and opened a door
leading to a circular gallery, of which none but the king
and herself possessed the key, made Orthon pass first ;
then, entering after him, carefully locked the door. This
gallery formed a sort of rampart round a portion of the
apartments occupied by the king and queen-mother, and
resembled the corridor of the Castle of St. Angelo, at
Rome, or that of the Pitti Palace at Florence, destined to
serve as a place of refuge in case of danger.
The door secured, Catherine and her companion found
themselves enclosed in a dark corridor. Each advanced a
few steps ; the queen leading the way and the page follow-
ing, when suddenly Catherine turned round, &nC Orthon
perceived on her countenance the same gloomy expression
it had worn a few minutes previously. Her eyes, of the
shape and color of the cat or panther, seemed to dart forth
sparks of fire.
" Stop ! " cried she.
Poor Orthon felt a cold shiver pervade his frame, while
the damp, chill air of that unfrequented spot seemed to
cling around him like an icy mantle. The ground he trod
upon seemed to re-echo the dull moaning of a tomb. All
this, combined with the fierce, penetrating look of Cath-
erine, and his own uneasy fears, proved too much for the
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 379
page, who sunk nearly paralyzed against the walls of this
fearful spot.
"Where/' said the queen-mother, fixing on him her
sharp, intimidating glance, " is the billet yon were desired
to give to the King of Navarre ? "
" The billet ? " stammered Orthon.
" Aye, the billet which, in the event of not finding the
king, you were instructed to place behind the mirror."
"Indeed, madame," said Orthon, "I know not what
your majesty alludes to."
" Nay, I but ask for the billet given you by M. de Mouy,
about an hour since, behind the Archery Garden."
" Your majesty is wholly mistaken or misinformed,"
answered Orthon ; " I have no billet of any kind."
"'Tis false!" said Catherine. "Give me that letter,
and I will perform the promise I have made you."
"Indeed, indeed, madame, I have no billet to give up."
Catherine began to lose all patience. She ground her
teeth with rage ; then suddenly checking herself, and as-
suming a bland smile, she said :
" Come, come, foolish boy, surrender that useless paper,
and a thousand golden crowns shall be your reward."
" But how can I give you what I do not possess ?
Please your majesty to credit me ; I have no such billet in
my keeping."
" You shall have two thousand crowns ! "
" Nay, gracious madame, since I have nothing to give,
I cannot give it."
" Say ten thousand crowns ! "
Orthon, who, young as he was, could plainly perceive
the rising anger of the queen, decided that the only chance
remaining of preserving his master's secret was to swallow
the disputed billet. With this design, he attempted to
take it from his pocket, but the quick eye of Catherine
divined his intention and stayed his purpose.
" There, there, my child ! " said she, laughing, " that
will do. Your fidelity, it seems, is above all temptation.
Well when royalty would secure to itself a faithful fol-
lower, it is requisite to try the devotedness of the heart it
DUMAS VOL. III. 17
380 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
would attach. I now know what opinion to form of your
zeal and faithfulness. Take this purse, in earnest of my
future bounty, and carry the billet to your master, with
an intimation that, after to-day, I take you into my serv-
ice. You may now depart : you can let yourself out by
the door we entered at it opens from within."
So saying, Catherine placed a heavily-filled purse in the
hands of the astonished youth, and then walked on a few
steps, placing her hand against the wall.
" Thanks, gracious madame ! " murmured Orthon.
" Then you are good enough to pardon me all I have done
to displease you ? "
" Nay, more ; I reward you as a faithful bearer of billets-
doux a pleasing messenger of love ! One only fault I find
with you ; you forget that your master is waiting for you."
" True ! " said the youth, springing towards the door.
But scarcely had he advanced two or three steps, than
the ground gave way beneath his feet. He stumbled, ex-
tended his hands, with a fearful cry, and disappeared in
one of those horrible oubliettes of the Louvre of which
Catherine had just touched the spring.
" Now, then," said Catherine, " thanks to this fool's ob-
stinacy, I shall have nearly two hundred stairs to descend ! "
The Florentine then returned to her apartments, from
whence she took a dark lantern ; then returning to the
gallery, closed the spring, and opened the door of a spiral
staircase, which seemed as though contrived to penetrate
into the very bowels of the earth. Proceeding along the
windings of this descent, she reached a second door,
which, revolving on its hinges, admitted to the depths of
the oubliette, where crushed, bleeding, and mutilated, by
a fall of more than one hundred feet lay the still palpita-
ting form of poor Orthon ; while, on the other side of the
wall forming the barrier of this dreadful spot, the waters
of the Seine were heard to ripple by, brought by a species
of subterraneous filtration to the foot of the staircase.
Having reached the damp and unwholesome abyss,
which during her reign had witnessed numerous similar
scenes to that now enacted, Catherine proceeded to search
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 381
the corpse, eagerly drew forth the desired billet, ascertained
by the lantern that it was the one she sought, then push-
ing the mangled body from her, she pressed a spring, the
bottom of the oubliette sank down, and the corpse, borne
by its own weight, disappeared towards the river.
Closing the door after her, she reascended ; and re-
turning to her closet, read the paper poor Orthon had so
valiantly defended. It was conceived in these words :
" This evening at ten o'clock, Eue de 1'Arbre-Sec, Hdtel
de la belle Etoile. Should you come, no reply is requisite ;
if otherwise, send word back, No, by the bearer.
" De MOUY DE SAINT- PHALE."
As Catherine read these words, a smile of triumph
curled her lip. She thought only of the victory she had
gained, without once considering the price she had pur-
chased it at.
And after all, what was Orthon ? Merely a faithful,
devoted follower ; a young, a handsome, and noble-minded
youth. Nothing more !
The billet read, Catherine immediately returned to the
apartments of Madame de Sauve, and placed it behind the
mirror. As she returned, she found the captain of the
guards in the corridor, awaiting her further commands.
" Madame," said M. de Nancey, " according to your
majesty's orders the horse has been duly prepared."
"Ah, indeed!" said Catherine. "But we shall not
need the horse you have prepared. Upon questioning
the youth, I find he is not sufficiently intelligent to be
entrusted with the message I designed to send by him. I
have therefore made him a little present, and dismissed
him by the small side- wicket."
" But," persisted M. de Nancey, " your majesty's com-
mission ? "
" What commission ? " asked Catherine.
" That which your majesty proposed accomplishing by
means of this youth. Will it please you that I go myself,
or send one of my men to do your royal command ? "
382 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" No," said Catherine ; " both you and your men, M.
de Nancey, will have other work this evening. "
And Catherine returned to her apartments, in full hope
and expectation of holding the detested King of Navarre
in her power ere the morrow's sun had risen.
CHAPTER XLVL
THE HOSTELRY OF " LA BELLE ETOILE."
Two hours after the event we have described, Madame
de Sauve, having completed her attendance on the queen,
entered her apartments ; Henry followed her ; and Dari-
ole having informed him that Orthon had been, he went
to the glass, and took the billet.
It was, as we have seen, couched in these terms :
" This evening at ten o'clock, Rue de 1'Arbre-Sec, Hdtel
de la Belle Etoile. Should you come, no reply is requi-
site ; if otherwise, send word back, No, by the bearer.
"DE MOUY DE SALKTT-PHALE."
There was no address upon it.
" Henry is certain to go," had thought Catherine ; "for
even did he not wish it, he cannot find the bearer to tell
him so."
Catherine was right ; Henry inquired after Orthon.
Dariole told him he had gone out with the queen-nuther ;
but Henry felt no uneasiness, as he knew Orthon was in-
capable of betraying him.
He dined, as he was accustomed, at the king's table,
who rallied him upon the mistakes he had made that
morning in hawking. Henry excused himself, alleging he
dwelt on the mountains, and not in the plains ; but he
promised Charles to learn the noble art better.
Catherine was in an excellent humor ; and when she
rose from table, requested Marguerite to pass the evening
with her.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 383
At eight o'clock, Henry took two of his gentlemen,
went out by the Porte St. Honore, entered again by the
Tour de Bois, crossed the Seine at the ferry of the Nesle,
mounted the Rue Saint-Jacques, and there dismissed them,
as if he were going to an amorous rendezvous. At the
corner of the Rue des Mathurins he found a man on horse-
back, wrapped in a large cloak : he approached him.
" Mantes \" said the man.
" Pan !" replied the king.
The horseman instantly dismounted. Henry wrapped
himself in his splashed mantle, sprang on his steed, rode
down the Rue de la Harpe, crossed the Pont St. Michel,
passed the Rue Barthelemy, crossed the river again on the
Pont au Meunier, descended the quays, reached the Rue
de 1'Arbre-Sec, and knocked at Maitre la Huriere's.
La Mole was in a little chamber, writing a long love-
letter ; to whom may be easily imagined,
Coconnas was in the kitchen, watching half a dozen
partridges roasting, and disputing with La Huriere as to
whether they were done or not.
At this moment Henry knocked, Gregoire went to take
his horse, and the traveler entered, stamping on the floor
as if to warm his feet.
" Eh ! " said La Mole, continuing to write ; " La Hu-
riere, here is a gentleman wants you."
La Huriere advanced, and looked at Henry ; and as his
large cloak did not inspire him with very great veneration :
" Who are you ? " asked he.
" Eh, sang Dieu ! " returned Henry, pointing to La
Mole. " I am, as the gentleman told you, a Gascon gen-
tleman come to court."
" What do you want ? "
* A room and supper."
" I do not let a room to any one, unless he has a
lackey."
" Oh, but I will pay you a rose noble for your room and
supper."
' You are very generous, worthy sir," said La Huriere,
with some distrust.
384 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" No ; but expecting to sup here, I invited a friend of
mine to meet me. Have you any good wine of Artois ? "
" I have as good as Henry of Navarre drinks."
" Ah, good ! Here is my friend." (
As he spoke, the door opened, and a gentleman some-
what older than the first, and having a long rapier at his
side, entered.
" Ah, ah," said he, "you are exact, my young friend.
It is something for a man who has traveled two hundred
leagues to be so punctual."
" Is this your guest ?" asked La Huri^re.
" Yes," replied the first, shaking hands with the young
man with the rapier.
"Maitre," said La Mole to La Huriere, "free us from
these Huguenot fellows ; Coconnas and I cannot converse
together whilst they are there."
" Carry the supper into No. 2, on the third floor," said
La Huriere. "Up-stairs, gentlemen."
The two travelers followed Gregoire, who lighted
them.
Coconnas watched them until they disappeared, and
then came close to La Mole.
" Did you see them ? "
" Aye, truly."
" And who are they ? "
" How should I know ?
" I'd swear they are Henry of Navarre, and the man in
the scarlet mantle."
" Aye, perhaps so."
" Well, you may rely on it, there is some plot going
on."
" Oh, no ; some love intrigue."
" Bah ! no such thing. However, I do not belong to
the Duke d'Ale^on now so I care not. Let's go to
supper."
Meantime Henry and De Mouy were installed in their
chamber.
" Well, sire," said De Mouy, " have you seen Or-
thon?"
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 385
" No ; but I found his billet. I suppose he was fright-
ened, for the queen saw him. I had some fear about him ;
for Dariole told me the queen had a long conversation
with him."
" Oh, there is no danger ; he is very quick-witted. I
will venture to say the queen did not learn much from
him."
" Have you seen him yourself ? "
" No ; but he will come this evening to fetch me, armed
with a good petronel ; and he can tell us what passed as
we walk along."
" That is right ; besides, La Mole is on the watch
down-stairs, and should anything occur, he will give us
notice."
" Well ! what says M. d'Alen9on ?"
" He will not go ; he says so distinctly. The departure'
of D'Anjou, and the king's illness, have made him alter
his mind."
" It is he who has spoilt our plan ? "
" Yes."
" It was he betrayed us ? "
" No ; but he is ready to do so on the first opportunity."
" Coward ! traitor ! why did he not answer my
letters?"
"In order to have proofs against you, and that you
should have none against him. Meantime, all is then
lost ; is it not so, De Mouy ? "
" On the contrary, won : you know all the party, except
De Condi's fraction, were for you, and only used D'Alen-
e,on as a safeguard. Since the day of the ceremony I have
arranged everything. I shall have fifteen hundred horse
ready in a week ; they will be posted on the road to Pau ;
they will surely suffice ? "
Henry smiled, and laid his hand on his friend's
shoulder.
" De Mouy," said he, " you, and you alone, know the
King of Navarre is not such a coward as men think."
" I know it, sire ; and I trust ere long all France will
know it too. When do you hunt again ? "
386 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" In a week or ten days."
" Well, everything seems quiet now. No one thinks of
the Duke d'Anjou ; the king gets better every day ; the
persecution against us has ceased. Play the amiable with
the queen-mother and M. d'Alenqon ; tell the duke you
cannot go without him, and try and make him believe
you."
" Oh, he shall believe me ! "
" Has he such confidence in you ? *
" Not in me, but in the queen."
" And is the queen true to us ? "
" 1 have ample proofs of it ; besides, she is ambitious. "
" Well, three days before you hunt, tell me where it will
be at Bondy, at St. Germain's, or at Kambouillet. When
you see La Mole, spur on follow him ; once out of the
forest, they must have fleet steeds to overtake us."
" Agreed."
" Have you money, sire ?"
Henry made the same grimace he made all his life at
the same question.
"Not much/' said he ; " but I believe Margot has."
" Well, bring all you can with you. Orthon tells me
he saw that scoundrel Man revel, whom Ren6 has cured,
walking about the Arsenal."
"Ah, I understand."
" You will be king some day, and will avenge yourself
as a king ; I am a soldier, and avenge myself as one.
When all my affairs are arranged, which will be in five or
six days, I will walk around the Arsenal myself, and after
giving him two or three rapier thrusts, I shall quit Paris."
" Do as you will. Ah ! what do you think of La
Mole?"
" A charming fellow brave and faithful."
" And discreet ; he must follow us, and then I must
think of his reward."
As Henry pronounced these words, the door flew open,
and La Mole rushed in.
" Quick ! quick ! " cried he, " the house is sur-
rounded."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 387
" Surrounded ! " said Henry, " by whom ? "
" By the king's guards."
" Oh/' said De Mouy, drawing two pistols from his belt,
" battle, then ! "
" What can you do against fifty men ? " said La Mole.
- " He is right," said the king, " and if there were any
means of retreat "
' ' I know one," said La Mole, " if your majesty will
follow me."
" And De Mouy "
" Can follow us ; but you must be quick."
Steps were heard on the stairs.
" It is too late," said Henry.
" If you could occupy them five minutes," said La
Mole, "I could save the king."
"I will occupy them," said De Mouy.
" But what will you do ? "
" Oh, do not fear for me ! "
And De Mouy rapidly concealed the king's plate, goblet,
and napkin, so that it might seem he had supped alone.
" Come, sire come ! " cried La Mole.
" My brave De Mouy," said Henry.
De Mony seized his hand, kissed it, pushed the door to
the instant they were outside, and bolted it.
" Quick quick, sire ! " said La Mole, " they are on the
stairs ! "
At this moment, the torches were visible on the stairs,
and the rattling of arms was heard.
La Mole guided the king in the darkness, and conduct-
ing him two stories higher, opened a door, which he then
secured, and opening the window :
" Does your majesty fear an excursion on the roofs ? "
said he.
" I, a chamois hunter ! "
" Follow me, and I will guide you."
And, getting out of the window, La Mole clambered
along the ridge, then passed along a gully formed by two
roofs, at the end of which was the open window of a garret.
" Here we are," said La Mole.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" So much the better/' returned Henry, wiping the per-
spiration from his brow.
" Now, then," continued La Mole, " this garret com-
municates with a staircase, and the staircase with the
street. I traveled the road on a more terrible night than
this."
" Go on go on ! "
La Mole sprang into the open window, opened the door,
and placing the cord that served as a baluster in Henry's
hand :
" Come, sire," said he.
Henry had stopped before a window opposite the Belle
Etoile ; the stairs were crowded with armed soldiers, bear-
ing torches. Suddenly, the king saw a group descend
the stairs, with De Mouy in the midst ; he had surren-
dered his sword, and walked quietly on.
" Brave De Mouy ! " said the king.
" Mafoi ! sire, he seems very composed, and even
laughs ; he meditates some plan, for he seldom smiles."
"All is well, then," replied Henry. " Let us regain
the Louvre."
" Nothing easier ; wrap yourself in your mantle, for the
street is full of people, and we shall pass for spectators. "
They both gained the Rue d'Averon, but in passing by
the Eue des Poulies, they saw De Mouy and his escort
cross the plai,e Saint-Gerrnam-PAuxerrois.
" Ah ! " said Henry, " they are taking him to the
Louvre. Liable I the wicket will be closed ; they will
take the name of every one who enters, and I shall be sus-
pected of having been with him."
" Well, sire," replied La Mole, " there's the Queen of
Navarre's window."
" Mon Dieu ! I did not think of that. But how shall I
attract her attention ? "
"Oh," said La Mole, bowing with an air of respectful
gratitude, " your majesty throws stones so well."
MAEGUERITE DE VALOIS. 389
CHAPTER XLVII.
/
DE MOUT DE SAIKT-PHALE.
THIS time Catherine had taken her precautions so well,
that she believed herself sure of her object.
Consequently, about ten o'clock, she had sent away
Marguerite, quite convinced that the Queen of Navarre
was ignorant of the plot against her husband, and went to
the king.
Puzzled by the air of triumph which, in spite of her
habitual dissimulation, appeared on his mother's counte-
nance, Charles questioned Catherine, who only said :
"I can make but one reply to your majesty, and that is,
you will this evening be delivered from two of your bitter-
est enemies."
Charles lowered his eyebrows, like a man who says to
himself : " This is well we shall see ; " and whistled his
tall boar-hound, who came to him, dragging his belly
along the ground like a serpent, and, placing his fine and
intelligent head on his master's knee, crouched.
After a few minutes, which Catherine passed with her
eyes fixed and ears attentive, there was suddenly heard
the noise of a pistol-shot in the courtyard of the Louvre.
"What noise is that ?" inquired Charles, with a frown,
whilst the hound rose up and pricked his ears.
"Nothing," Catherine replied, "it was only a signal."
" And what is the meaning of that signal ? "
" It means that, from this moment, sire, your only, your
real enemy is unable any longer to injure you."
"Have they been killing a man?" inquired Charles,
looking at his mother with that eye of command which sig-
nified that assassination and mercy are two inherent attri-
butes of royal power.
" No, sire, they have only arrested two."
" Oh," murmured Charles, " always hidden plots, con-
390 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
spiracies against the king. Mortdidble! mother, I am an
oldish boy, big enough to take care of myself, and want
neither leading-strings nor swaddling-clothes. Go into
Poland with your son Henry, if you desire to reign ; but
here you are wrong, I tell you, to play the game you do."
"My son," replied Catherine, "this is the last time I
meddle with your affairs ; but the enterprise was com-
menced long since, in which you have always said I was
Wrong, whilst I have laboi-ed to prove I was right."
At this moment M. de Nancey begged an audience of
the king, and there was a noise of footsteps in the vesti-
bule, and the butts of muskets clattered on the floor.
" Let M. de Nancey enter/' said the king, hastily.
M. de Nancey entered, saluted the king, and then, turn-
ing to the queen-mother, said :
"Madame, your orders are executed ; he is taken."
"What do you mean by he? " cried Catherine, much
troubled ; " have you only arrested one ?"
"He was alone, madame."
" Did he defend himself ? "'
" No, he was supping quietly in a room, and handed
his sword the moment it was demanded."
" Who is he ? " asked the king.
" You will see," said Catherine. ' Bring in the pris-
oner, M. de Nancey."
De Mouy was introduced.
" De Mouy ! " exclaimed the king ; " Avhat is the matter
now?"
"If, sire," said De Mouy, with perfect composure,
" your majesty would allow me that liberty, I would ask
the same question."
"Instead of asking this question of the king," said
Catherine, " have the kindness, M. de Mouy, to tell my
eon who was the man who was in the chamber of the King
of Navarre on a certain night, and who, on that night,
resisted the king's orders, like a rebel as he is, killed two
of the guards, and wounded M. de Maurevel."
"Yes," said Charles, frowning; "do yon know the
name of that man, M. de Mouy ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 391
" I do, sire ; does your majesty desire to know it ? "
" Yes, it would give me pleasure, I confess."
" Well, sire, he is called De Mouy de Saint-Phale."
" It was you, then ?"
" It was, sire."
Catherine, astonished at this audacity, recoiled before
the young man.
" What ! " inquired Charles IX., " dared you resist the
orders of the king ? "
" In the first place, sire, I was ignorant that there was
an order of your majesty ; then I saw only one thing, or
rather but one man, M. de Maurevel, the assassin of my
father, the assailant of the admiral. I remembered that
it was a year and a half since, in the very chamber in
which we now are, on the evening of the 24th of August,
your majesty had promised me to do us justice on this
murderer, and as since that time very grave events had
occurred, I thought that perchance the king h;:/l been, in
spite of himself, turned away from his desires ; seeing
Maurevel within my reach, I believed heaven had sent him
there. Your majesty knows the rest, sire ; I struck him
down as a murderer, and fired at his men as robbers."
Charles made no reply ; his friendship for Henry had
made him view many things in another point of view than
he had at first seen them.
The queen-mother, in reference to Saint Bartholomew,
had set down in her memory observations which had
fallen from her son, very much resembling remorse.
" But," observed the queen-mother, " what were you
doing at that hour in the King of Navarre's apartments ? "
" Oh," said De Mouy, " it is a long story to tell, but if
his majesty has the patience to listen "
"Yes/' replied Charles, "I should wish to hear it."
" I will obey, sire," said De Mouy, bowing.
Catherine sat down, fixing an uneasy look on the young
chief.
" We will listen," said Charles. " Here, Actaeon ! "
The dog resumed the place he had occupied before the
prisoner had come in.
392 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"Sire," said De Mouy, "I came to his majesty the
King of Navarre as the deputy of our brethren, your faith-
ful subjects of the Eeformed religion "
Catherine made a sign to Charles IX.
" Be quiet, madame," he said ; "I do not lose a word.
Go on, M. de Mouy ; go on."
" To inform the King of Navarre," continued De Mouy,
" that his abjuration had lost for him the confidence of
the Huguenot party, but that, nevertheless, in remem-
brance of his father, Antony de Bourbon, and especially
out of regard for the memory of his mother, the coura-
geous Jeanne d'Albret, whose name is dear amongst us, the
chiefs of the Keformed religion thought it a mark of def-
erence due to him, to beg him to desist from his claims
to the crown of Navarre."
" What said he ?" asked Catherine, unable, in spite of
her self-control, to receive this enexpected blow without
wincing a little.
" Ah ! ah ! " said Charles, " but this crown of Navarre
which, without my permission, was made thus to jump
from head to head, seems to belong a little to me."
"The Huguenots, sire, recognize better than any one
the principle of sovereignty which your majesty has just
enunciated, and therefore hope to induce your majesty to
place the crown on some head which is dear to you."
" I ! " said Charles ; " on a head which is dear to me !
mort didble! of what head, then, do you speak, sir ? I do
not understand you."
" Of the head of the Duke d'Alen9on."
Catherine became as pale as death, and her eyes glared
fiercely on De Mouy.
" And did my brother D'Alen9on know this ? "
"Yes, sire."
" And accepted the crown ? "
" Subject to your majesty's consent, to which he referred
us."
" Ah I ah ! " said Charles, " it is, indeed, a crown which
would suit our brother D'AlenQon wonderfully well ! And
that I should never have thought of it ! Thanks, De
MARGUERITE DE VALOI8. 393
Mouy thanks ! when you have such ideas you will always
be welcome at the palace."
" Sire, you would long since have been informed of all
this, but for the unfortunate affair of the Louvre, which
made me fear that I had fallen into disgrace with your
majesty."
" Yes ; but," asked Catherine, " what said the King of
Navarre to this proposal ? "
" The king, madame, yielded to the desiro of his breth-
ren, and his renunciation was ready."
"In this case," cried Catherine, "you must have that
renunciation."
" I have, madame," said De Mouy ; " and by chance I
have it about me, signed by him, and dated."
" Of a date anterior to the affair in the Louvre ? " in-
quired Catherine.
" Yes, of the previous evening, I think."
And De Mouy drew from his pocket a renunciation in
favor of the Duke d'Alenc.on, written and signed in Henry's
hand, and bearing the date assigned to it.
" Ma foil yes," said Charles, te and all is in due form."
"And what did Henry demand in return for this renun-
ciation ?"
" Nothing, madame ; the friendship of the King Charles,
he said to us, would amply repay him for the loss of a crown."
Catherine bit her lips in anger, and wrung her beautiful
hands.
" This is all as complete as possible, De Mony," added
the king.
" Then," asked the queen-mother, " if all was settled
between you and the King of Navarre, for what purpose
did you seek an interview with him this evening ? "
"I madame! with the King of Navarre?" said De
Mouy. " He who arrested me will bear testimony that I
was alone. Will your majesty call him ?"
" M. de Nancey," said the king, aud the captain of the
guards entered.
" M. de Nancey," said Catherine, quickly, " was M. de
Mouy quite alone at the hostelry of the Belle Etoile ? "
394 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" In the chamber, yes, madame : in the hostelry, no."
" Ah ! " said Catherine, " who was his companion ? "
"I know not if he were the companion of M. de Mouy,
madame ; but I know he escaped by a back door, after
having prostrated two of my guards."
" And you recognized this gentleman, no doubt."
" I did not, but the guards did."
" And who was he ? " inquired Charles IX.
"M. the Count Annibal de Coconnas."
" Annibal de Coconnas ! " repeated the king, gloomy
and reflective. " He who made so terrble a slaughter of
the Huguenots during the St. Bartholomew ?"
" M. de Coconnas, gentleman of the Duke d'Alen^on,"
replied De Nancey.
" Good ! good ! " said Charles. " You may withdraw,
M. de Nancey and another time, remember one thing."
"What is that, sire ?"
" That you are in my service, and will take your orders
from no one but myself."
M. de Nancey retired backwards, bowing most respect-
fully. De Mouy smiled ironically at Catherine.
There was a brief silence. The queen pulled the tassels
of her cordeliere ; Charles caressed his dog.
" But what was your intention, sir ? " continued Charles.
" Were you acting violently ? "
" Against whom, sire ? "
" Why, against Henry, or Fra^ois, or myself ? "
"Sire, we had the renunciation of your brother-in-law,
the consent of your brother, and, as I had the honor to
tell you, we were on the point of soliciting your majesty's
authority, when there happened this unfortunate affair of
M. de Maurevel's."
" Well, mother, I see no objection to all this. You
were perfectly right, M. de Mouy, in requiring a king.
Yes, Navarre may be, and ought to be, a separate king-
dom. Moreover, this kingdom seems made expressly to
endow my brother D'Alen9on, who has always had so great
a desire for a crown, that when we wear our own, he can-
not withdraw his gaze therefrom. The only thing which
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
opposed this coronation was Harry's rights ; but since
Harry voluntarily abdicates "
" Voluntarily, sire ?"
" It appears to be the will of God ! M. de Mouy, you
are free to return to your brethren, whom I have chas-
tised somewhat rudely, perchance ; but that is between
God and myself ; and tell them, that since they desire to
have my brother, the Duke d'Aleriqon, for King of Na-
varre, the King of France accedes to their desires. From
this moment, Navarre is a kingdom, and its sovereign's
name 'is Francois. I ask but eight days for my brother to
be ready to leave Paris with the Sclat and pomp which
appertain to a king. Go, M. de Mony go. M. de Nan-
eey, allow M. de Mouy to retire. He is free."
" Sire," said De Mouy, advancing a step, " will your
majesty allow me "
" Yes," replied Charles.
And he extended his hand to the young Huguenot.
De Mouy went on one knee, and respectfully kissed the
king's hand.
" Apropos," said Charles, as De Mouy was about to rise,
" have you not demanded from me justice on that ruffian,
De Maurevel ? "
"I have, sire."
" I know not where he is, that I might render it to you,
for he is in hiding ; but if you meet him, take justice into
your own hands. I authorize you to do so, and with all
my heart."
" Oh, sire ! exclaimed De Mouy, " this is all I could
desire. I know not where he is ; but your majesty may
rest assured I will find him."
De Mouy respectfully saluted the king and Catherine,
and then retired uninterrupted. He made all haste to the
hostelry of the Belle Etoile, where he found his horse, by
whose aid, three hours after he had quitted Paris, the
young man breathed in safety behind the walls of Mantes.
Catherine, bursting with rage, regained her apartment,
whence she passed into that of Marguerite, where she found
Henry in his dressing gown, as if just going to bed.
396 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Satan ! " she muttered, " aid a poor queen, for whom
God will do nothing more ! "
CHAPTER XLVIII.
TWO HEADS FOE OXE CROWN".
"KEQUEST M. d'AlenQon to come to me/' said Charles,
as his mother left him.
M. de Nancey hastened to M. d'Alen9on's apartments,
and delivered the king's message. The duke started when
he heard it. He always trembled in Charles's presence,
and the more so when he had reason to be afraid. Still,
he went to his brother with all speed.
Charles was standing up, and whistling a hunting air.
As he entered, the Duke d'AlenQon canght from the
glassy eye of Charles one of those looks full of hatred,
which he so well understood.
" Your majesty has asked for me," he said. " I am
here, sire. What is your majesty's desire ? "
"I desire to tell you, brother, that, in order to recom-
pense you for the great friendship you bear me, I have
resolved to do for you to-day the thing you most desire in
all the world."
" For me ? "
"Yes, for you. Ask yourself what that thing is of
which you most frequently dream, without daring to ask
for, and that thing I will give you."
" Sire," said Fran9ois, " I swear to you, that there is
nothing I more desire than the continuance of the king's
good health."
" Then you will be deeply gratified to know, D'Alen-
9on, that the indisposition I experienced at the time when
the Poles arrived has quite passed by. I have escaped,
thanks to Harry, a furious wild boar, who would -have
ripped me up, and I am so well as not to envy the healthiest
man in my dominions : so that, without being an unkind
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 397
brother, you may wish for something else besides the con-
tinuation of my health, which is perfectly restored."
" I desire nothing else, sire/'
"Yes, yes, Fran 9ois/' continued Charles, impatiently,
s ' you desire the crown of Navarre, and have had an un-
derstanding to that effect with Harry and De Mouy : the
first, that he would abdicate, and the second, that he
might offer it to you. Well, Harry has renounced, De
Mouy has mentioned your wishes to me, and the crown
you are ambitious to "
"Stop! " said D'Alen9on, in a trembling voice.
" Well, mort diable ! it is yours."
D'Alenqon turned ghastly pale, and then his face was
suffused. The favor which the king granted him at this
moment threw him into utter despair.
" But, sire/' he replied, palpitating with emotion, and
in vain trying to recover his self-possession, "I have
never desired, and certainly never sought for such a
thing."
" That is possible," said the king, " for you are very dis-
creet, brother ; but it has been desired sought for you."
" Sire, I swear to you that I never "
" Do not swear."
" But, sire, do you, then, exile me ? "
" Do you call this exile, Fra^ois ? Peste ! you are
hard to please. What better thing could you hope for ?"
D'Alen9on bit his lips in despair.
" Ma, foi ! " continued Charles, affecting a kind demean-
or, " I did not think you were so popular, Fra^ois, and
particularly with the Huguenots. Why, they really peti-
tion for you ; and what better could I desire them to have
than a person devoted to me ; a brother whom I love, and
who is incapable of betraying me, at the head of a party
who for thirty years has been in arms against us. This
must calm everything, as if by enchantment, to say
nothing of the fact that we shall be all kings in the family.
There will only be poor Harry, who will remain my friend,
and nothing more. But he is not ambitious, and this
title, which no one else covets, he claims."
398 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"Oh, sire, you mistake; I covet that title a title to
which no one has such right as I have. Henry is only
your brother by marriage ; I am your brother by blood
and in heart, and I entreat you, sire, keep me near you."
"No, no, Frangois," replied Charles, "it would be
wrong."
" How, sire ? "
" For a thousand reasons."
" But, sire, have you a more faithful companion than I
am ? From my childhood I have never quitted your
majesty."
" I know it well I know it well ; and sometimes I have
wished you further off."
" What means your majesty ? "
" Oh, nothing nothing ; I know I know. Ah I what
glorious hunting you will have there, Frangois ; I shall
envy you ! Do you know they chase the bear in the
mountains there, as we do the boar here. You'll send
us such splendid skins ; you know they hunt there with
the poniard wait for the animal, excite and irritate him :
he goes towards the hunter, and four paces off he rises
on his hind legs ; then they plunge the steel into his heart,
as Henry did the wild boar at our last hunt. You know
it is dangerous work ; but you are brave, Frangois ; and
the danger would be real pleasure to you."
" Ah ! your majesty increases my trouble, for I shall
no more hunt with you."
" Corboeuf ! so much the better," said the king, " it
does not suit either of us to hunt together '
" What means your majesty ? "
" To hunt with me causes you such pleasure, and creates
in you so much emotion, that you, who are skill personi-
fied you, who with any arquebuss can bring down a
magpie at a hundred paces with a weapon of which you
are such a perfect master, failed at twenty paces to hit a
wild boar, and broke the leg of my best horse ! Mort
diable ! Frangois, that makes one reflect, you must know ! "
" Oh, sire, think of my emotion," said D'Alengon, livid
with agitation.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 399
" Yes," replied Charles ; " I guess what the emotion
might be, and so I say, Fra^ois, it is best for us to hunt
at a distance from each other, for fear of such emotions.
You might, you know, in another emotion, kill the horse-
man instead of the horse the king instead of the animal !
When Montgomery killed our father Henry II., by acci-
dent emotion, perhaps the blow placed our brother
FranQois II. on the throne, and sent our father Henry to
Saint Denys ; a little in this way can do so much."
The duke felt the perspiration pour down his brow at
this unexpected attack. The king had surmised al 1 , and
veiling his anger under a jesting tone, was perhaps more
terrible than if he had outpoured his lava of hate in its
fullest wrath ; his revenge was proportioned to his rpncor.
In proportion as the one was sharpened, the other in-
creased ; and, for the first time, D'Alen9on felt remorse,
or rather regret, for having meditated a crime that had
not succeeded. He had sustained the struggle as long as
he could, but at this last blow he bowed his head.
Charles fixed on him his vulture gaze, and watched
closely every feeling that displayed itself in the young
duke's countenance, as if he perused an open book.
" Brother," said the king, " we have declared our resolu-
tion ; that resolution is immutable. You will go."
D'Alen9on started ; but Charles did not appear to ob-
serve it, and continued : " I wish that Navarre should be
proud of having at its head a brother of the King of
France. Gold, power, honor you will have all that be-
longs to your birth, as your brother Henry had ; and, like
him," he added, with a smile, "you will bless me when
afar off thank, Heaven, blessings know no distance ! "
Sire
" Accept, or rather resign yourself. Once a king, we
shall find for you a wife worthy of a son of France, who
may who knows ? bring you another throne."
" But," observed the Duke d'Alen9on, " your majesty
forgets your good friend Henry."
" Henry ! why, I told yon he does not desire the throne
of Navarre ; he has abandoned it. Henry is a jovial fel-
400 MARGUERITE DE VALOES.
low, and not a pale-face, like you ; he likes to amuse him-
self, and laugh at his ease, and not weary himself, as we
are compelled to do, who wear crowns upon our heads."
" Your majesty then desires me to occupy myself "
" By no means. Do not in any way disturb yourself, I
will arrange everything myself. Say not a word to any
one, and I will take upon myself to give publicity to every-
thing. Pran9ois, good day."
There was no reply. The duke bowed and left the apart-
ment, with rage devouring his heart.
He was most desirous to find Henry, and talk with him
of all that had passed ; but he could only find Catherine,
for Henry avoided, whilst his brother sought him.
The duke, seeing Catherine, endeavored to swallow his
griefs and tried to smile.
"Well, madame," he said, "do you know the gre .t
news ? "
" I know that there is an idea of making a king of you,
sir."
" It is a great kindness on the part of my brother, ma-
dame ; and I am inclined to think that a portion of my
gratitude is due to you ; although, I confess, that at
bottom it gives me pain thus to despoil the King of
Navarre."
"You are very fond of Harry, then, my son, it appears."
" Why, yes, for some time we have been closely allied."
" Do you suppose that he loves you as much as you love
him?"
"I hope so, madame."
" Are there brothers, then, amongst kings ? " she asked,
with a singular smile.
" Oh, we were neither of us kings when our alliance
began."
" Yes ; but things are changed now : who can say that
you will not both be kings ? "
Catherine saw, by the start and sudden color of the
duke, that the shaft had hit the mark.
" He ? Harry, king ? and of what kingdom ?"
"The most glorious in Christendom, my son."
MARGUERITE DE VALOI8. 401
me jji m . an l D'Alengon, growing very pale, " what
''here, f
have t^u^ood mother should say to a son what you
"I ?"jght of more than once, Frangois."
dame, said the duke, " I have thought of nothing, ma-
" Jl swear to you ! "
you believe you ; for your friend, your brother Henry, as
rl call him, is, under his apparent frankness, a very
j,;ver and wily person, who keeps his secrets better than
yc-a do yours, Frangois. For instance, did he ever tell you
that De Mouy was his man of business ? "
And Catherine looked at Franpois as though she would
read his very heart ; but dissimulation was Franpois' forte,
and he bore her gaze unshrinkingly.
" De Mouy ! " said he, with surprise, and as if he ut-
tered the name for the first time.
" Yes, the Huguenot De Mouy de Saint-Phale ; he who
nearly killed De Man revel, and who is intriguing and rais-
ing an army to support your brother Henry against your
family."
Catherine, unaware that Frangois knew as much on this
riatter as herself, rose at these words, and would have gone
out majestically, but Frangois detained her.
" Mother," he said, " another word, if you please. How
3an Henry, with his feeble resources, carry on any war to
disquiet my family ? "
" Child/' Suid the queen, smiling, " know he is sup-
ported by more than thirty thousand men, who, the day
he says the word, willappearas suddenly as if they sprang
forth from the ground ; and these thirty thousand men
are Huguenots, remember ; in other words the bravest
soldiers in the world ; and then, he has a protector you
have not been able, or have not chosen, to conciliate."
"Who is that?"
" He has the king the king, who loves him, pushes
him on ; the king, who, from jealousy against your
brother of Poland, and from spite against you, seeks a
successor out of his family."
" The king ! Do yon think so, mother ?"
402 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. a
" Do you not see how he takes to fe to anr
Harry ? " hims jj arry
" Yes, madame ; yes." >B * him ^
" And how he is repaid in return ! for this "Vs uj^ a
forgetting how his brother-in-law would have shoS
Saint Bartholomew's day, grovels to the very eartt, m y
a dog, and licks the hand which has beaten him." bu.^
" Yes," said Fran9ois, " Henry is very humble will,
brother Charles ; and, the king always rallying him
his ignorance, he has began to study hawking. It was
only yesterday he asked me if I had not some books on
that sport."
" Well," said Catherine, " well, and what reply did you
make him ? "
"That I would look in my library."
" Good, good ! " answered Catherine ; " he must have
that book. I will give him ono in your name. Will you,
D'Alen9ou, obey me blindly in all I desire you to do with
regard to Henry, who lovos you not, whatever you may
think."
D'Alenqon smiled, and replied, " I will, mother."
" Well, then, on the morning of the next hunt coi sffc
here and seek for the book ; I will give it you, and you
shall carry it to the detested Henry."
"And ?"
"Leave the rest to Providence or chance."
Fran 9013 bowed in acquiescence, and left his mother's
chamber.
Meantime, Marguerite received through La Mole a
letter from De Mouy addressed to the King of Navarre.
As in politics the two illustrious allies had no secrets, she
opened the missive, and read it ; and then, going quickly
and silently along the secret passage, went into the King
of Navarre's antechamber, no longer guarded, since Or-
thon's disappearance. This circumstance had greatly
disquieted Henry, who felt assured the poor boy had fallen
a victim to some machination of the queen-mother.
Any other than Henry would have kept silence ; but
Henry calculated cleverly, and saw his silence would betray
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. 408
him ; and thus he sought and inquired for Orthon every-
where, even in the presence of the king and the queen-
mother, and of every one, down to the sentinel at the
wicket of the Louvre ; but every inquiry was in vain.
The antechamber was thus empty ; Henry declaring he
would not replace him until he knew for certain that he
had disappeared forever. Henry turned round as the
queen entered.
" Yon, madame ! " he cried.
" Yes," replied Marguerite ; <s read quickly ! " and she
handed the open letter to him. It contained these lines :
" SIRE, The moment has arrived for putting our plan
of flight in execution.
" In five or six days there will be hawking on the banks
of the Seine, from Saint-Grermams to Maisons all along
the forest.
" Go to this meeting, although it is only a hawking
party ; put a good coat of mail under your doublet, your
best sword by your side, and ride the fleetest horse in your
stable.
" About noon, when the sport is at its height, and the
king is galloping after his falcon, get away alone, if you
come alone ; with the queen, if her majesty will follow you.
"Fifty of our party will be .concealed in the pavilion of
Fran9ois the First, of which we have the key ; no one
will know that they are there, for they will come at night,
and the shutters will be closed.
" You will pass by the Allee des Violettes, at the end of
which I shall be on the watch ; at the right of this allee
will be Messieurs de la Mole and Coconnas, with two
horses, intended to replace yours if they should be fatigued.
"Adieu, sire ! be ready, as we shall be."
" Now then, sire," said Marguerite, " be a hero ; it is
not difficult. You have but to follow the route indicated,
and create for me a glorious throne," said the daughter of
Henry II.
An imperceptible smile rose to the thin lips of the
DUMAS "VOL. III. 18
404: MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
BSarnais, as he kissed Marguerite's lips, and went out to
explore the passage, whistling the burden of an old song :
" Gil qui mieux battit la muraille
N'entra point dedans le chasteau."
The precaution was good, for as he opened his bedchamber
door the Duke d'Alenc.on opened that of his antechamber,
Henry motioned to Marguerite with his hand, and then
said aloud, " Ah, is it you, brother ? "Welcome ! "
The queen understood her husband's meaning, and
went quickly into a dressing-closet, in front of the door
of which was a thick tapestry.
D'AlenQon entered with a timorous step, and looking
around him, "Are we alone, brother ?" he asked, in an
undertone.
" Quite. But what ails you ? you seem greatly dis-
turbed."
" We are discovered, Henry ?"
" How discovered ? "
"De Mouy has been arrested ! "
"I know it."
" Well, De Mouy has told the king all ! "
" All what ? "
" He said I was ambitious of the throne of Navarre,
and had conspired to obtain it."
" The dunderhead ! " said Henry. " So that yon are
compromised, my dear brother ! How is it, then, that
you are not under arrest ? "
" I cannot tell ; the king jested with me, and offered
me the throne of Navarre, but I said nothing."
"And you did well, ventre-saint-gris !" said the Bear-
nais. " Stand firm, for our lives depend on that."
" Yes," said Fra^ois, " our position is difficult, and that
is why I came to ask your advice, my brother. Ought I
to flee or remain ? "
" You have seen the king, and he has spoken to you ? "
"Yes."
" Well, you must have ascertained his thoughts j act
from your own inspiration.'*
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 405
"I would rather remain," said Francois.
Master of himself as he was, yet Henry allowed a move-
ment of joy to escape him, and Frangois observed it.
" Remain, then," said Henry.
"And you?"
" Why, if you remain, I have no motive for going ; I
should go if you went, but stay if you stay."
" So, then," said D'Alenqon, "there is an end of all our
plans, and you give way at the first repulse."
"Thanks to my contented disposition," replied Henry,
" I am happy anywhere and everywhere."
"Well, then," observed D'Alenqon, "there's no more
to be said ; only, if you change your mind, let me know."
" CorUeu ! I shall be sure to do that," replied Henry.
" Have we not agreed to have no secrets for one another ? "
D'Alenqon said no more, and withdrew full of thought,
for he believed he had seen the tapestry move at a certain
moment ; and, indeed, scarcely was D'Alenqon gone than
Marguerite reappeared.
" What do you think of this visit ? " inquired Henry.
" That there is something new and important ; what it
is I will learn."
" In the meanwhile ? "
"In the meanwhile, fail not to come to my apartments
to-morrow evening."
" I will not fail, be assured, madame," was the reply of
Henry, kissing his wife's hand very gallantly.
With the same precaution she had used in coming, Mar-
guerite returned to her own apartments.
CHAPTER XLIX.
THE BOOK OF VENEKIE.
FIVE days had elapsed since the events we have related.
The Louvre clock had just struck four, when D'Alenc.on,
who, with all the rest of the court, had risen early to pre-
pare for the hunt, entered his mother's apartment.
406 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
The queen was not in her chamber, but she had left
orders that if her sou came he was to wait. At the end
of a few minutes she came out of a cabinet where she
carried on her chemical studies, and into which no one
ever entered. As she opened the door, a strong odor of
some acrid perfume pervaded the room, and looking
through the door of the cabinet, he perceived a thick
white vapor, like that of some aromatic substance, float-
ing in the air.
" Yes," said Catherine, " I burnt some old parchments,
and their smell was so offensive that I cast some jumper
into the brazier." D'Alen9on bowed.
" Well," continued the queen, concealing beneath the
sleeves of her robe-de-chambre her hand stained with large
reddish spots, "anything new?"
" Nothing."
" Have you seen Henry ?**
" Yes."
" Will he go ? "
" He refuses positively.**
" The knave ! "
" What say you, madame ? *
"That he will go."
" You think so ? "
"I am sure of it."
"Then he escapes us ?"
" Yes," said Catherine.
" And you let him depart ?**
" I not only suffer him, but, I tell you, it is necessary
he should leave the court."
" I do not understand you."
" Listen : a skilful physician, the same who gave me the
book of venerie you are about to present to the King of
Navarre, has told me that he is on the point of being at-
tacked with consumption an incurable disease ; so that
if he be doomed to die, it were better that he should die
away from us than at the court."
"" That would be too painful for us."
" Especially for Charles ; whereas, if he die, after having
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 407
betrayed him, he will look upon his death as a punishment
from heaven."
" You are right : it were better he should depart, But
are yon sure he will go ? "
" All my measures are taken. The place of rendezvous
is in the forest of St. Germain's ; fifty Huguenots are to
escort him to Fontainebleau, where five hundred others
await him."
" And does Margot accompany him ?" asked D'Alen9on.
" Yes, but upon Henry's death she returns to court."
" Are you sure that Henry will die ? "
" The physician who gave me this book assured me of it."
" And where is this book ? "
Catherine entered her cabinet, and returned instantly
with the book in her hand.
" Here it is," said she.
IVAlengon looked at it, not without a certain feeling of
terror.
" What is this book ? " asked he, shuddering.
" I have already told you. It is a treatise on the art of
rearing and training falcons, goshawks, and ger-falcons,
written for the Italian prince, Castruccio Castracani, of
Lucca."
"What am I to do with it ?"
" Give it to Henry, who has asked you for a book of the
kind. As he is going to hawk this morning with the king,
he will not fail to read it ; but be sure to give it to him."
" Oh, I dare not ! " said D'Alengon, shuddering.
"Why not ?" replied the queen ; " it is a book like any
other, except it has lain by so long that the leaves stick
together. Do not attempt to read it, for it can only be
read by wetting the finger, and turning over each leaf,
which occasions a great loss of time."
" So that it will only be read by a man who is anxious
to learn the art of hawking ? "
" Exactly so, my son you understand ? "
"Oh," said D'Alegnon, "I hear Henry in the court;
give it to me, and I will avail myself of his absence to
place it in his room."
408 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"I had rather you gave it to him ; it is more certain.*
"I have already told you I dare not/'
"At least place it where it can be easily seen."
" I will place it where he must see it. Will it be better
to open it ? "
" Yes, open it."
" Give it me, then."
D'Alengon took with a trembling hand the book Cath-
erine held out to him.
" Take it," said she. " There is no danger; besides,
yon have your gloves on. "
D'Alengon wrapped the book in his mantle, as if still
fearful.
" Make haste," continued the queen ; " I expect Henry
will enter every moment."
" Madame, I go."
And the duke left the apartment, trembling with emo-
tion.
We have often introduced our readers into the apart-
ments of the King of Navarre, and have made them wit-
nesses of the events that have passed there, but never did
the walls of the room see a face so pale as the Duke
D'Alengon's, when he entered the apartment, the book in
his hand.
On the wall hung Henry's sword. Some links of mail
were scattered on the floor, a well-filled purse and a poniard
lay on the table, and the light ashes in the grate showed
D'AlenQon that Henry had put on a shirt of mail, collected
what money he could, and burnt all papers that might com-
promise him.
"My mother was right," thought D'Alengon. "He
would betray me."
Doubtless, this conviction gave him strength ; for after
having sounded the walls and lifted the tapestry, he took
the book from under his cloak, placed it on the table, then,
with a hesitation that betrayed his fears, opened the book
at an engraviug. The instant he had done so, he drew off
his glove and cast it into the fire ; the leather crackled,
burned, and was soon reduced to ashes.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 409
D'Alenc,on waited until he had seen it consumed, and
then hastily returned to his own apartment.
As he entered, he heard steps on the winding stair, and
not doubting but, that it was Henry, he closed his door.
Then he looked out of his window into the court below.
Henry was not there, and this strengthened Frau9ois'
belief that it was he whom he had just heard.
The duke sat down, and took up a book : it was the His-
tory of France, a work dedicated to Charles IX.
But the duke co-ild not fix his attention on it ; it seemed
to him he conld sec through the walls. His eyes appeared
to plunge into the chamber of Henry, spite of the obsta-
cles that separated them. In order to drive away the ter-
rible object before his mind's eye, the duke vainly looked
at his arms, his ornaments, his books ; every detail of the
engraving that he had seen but for a moment was before
him still : it was a gentleman on horseback, recalling his
falcon, in a flat landscape.
Then it was not the book he saw, but the King of Xavarre
reading it, and wetting his thumb in order to turn over
the pages. At this sight, fictitious and imaginary as it
was, D'AlenQon staggered against a table, and covered his
eyes with his hands, as if to hide the horrible vision.
Suddenly D'Alengon saw Henry in the court ; he stopped
a few moments to speak to the men who were loading two
mules, ostensibly with his provisions for the chase, but
really with the money and other things he wished to take
with him ; then, having given his orders, he advanced to-
wards the door.
D'AlenQon stood motionless ; it was not Henry, then,
he had heard mount the stairs. He opened his door and
listened ; this time there was no mistake it was Henry ;
D'Alen9on recognized his step, even to the peculiar jingle
of his spurs.
Henry's door opened, and then closed.
"Bon! " said D'Alen9on ; " he has passed through the
first apartment, he has entered his bedchamber, he has
Jooked if his sword, his purse, and his poniard are there ;
then he has seen the book open on the table. * What is
410 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
this book ? ' he asks himself ; ' where has it come from ?
who has brought it ? ' Then, seeing the engraving, he tries
to read it, and turns over the leaves."
A cold damp passed over Francois.
" Will he call for help ? " said he. " Is the poison sud-
den ? No 1 for my mother said he would die of consump-
tion."
Ten minutes passed in these horrible reflections. D'-
Alen9on could support it no longer ; he rose, and passed
through his chamber, which was already filled with gentle-
men.
"Good day, gentlemen/' said he, "I am going to the
king."
And to distract his attention, to prepare an alibi, per-
haps, D'Alen9on descended to his brother's apartments.
Why, he knew not what had he to say ? Nothing ! it
was not Charles he sought it was Henry he fled from.
Fran9ois traversed successively the saloon and the sleep-
ing-room, without meeting any one ; he then thought
Charles was in his armory, and he opened the door.
Charles was seated at a table in an armchair of carved
oak ; his back was turned to the door by which Fra^ois
had entered. The duke approached silently.
Charles was reading.
" Pardieu ! " cried the king, " what an admirable book !
I did not think there was such a work in France."
D'Alei^on listened.
" Devil take the leaves !" said Charles, as, wetting his
thumb, he turned them. " It seems as if they had pur-
posely stuck the leaves together, to conceal the marvels
they contain."
D'Alen9on bounded forward. The book Charles was
reading was the same that D'Alen9on had taken into
Henry's room. A cry burst from his lips.
" Ah, it is you, D'Alen9on 1 " said the king ; " you are
just in time to see the most admirable work on venerie in
the world."
D'Alen9on's first idea was to snatch the book from his
brother, but an infernal thought restrained him.
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
"Sire," asked ho, "how did this book come into your
possession ? "
" Oh, I went into Harry's room to see if he was ready,
and found this treasure, which I brought down with me to
read."
And the king again moistened his finger, and again
turned over the page.
" Sire," faltered D'Alen9on, whose hair stood on end,
" sire, I come to tell you "
"Let me finish this chapter, Fran9ois, and then tell me
what you please. I have read, or rather devoured, fifty
pages."
"My brother has tasted the poison five-and-twenty
times," thought D'Alen9on ; " he is a dead man ! "
Francois wiped the cold dew from his brow, and waited
in silence, as the king bade him, until he had finished the
chapter.
CHAPTER L.
THE HAWKING PARTY.
CHARLES read on : he seemed, indeed, to devour the
pages ; and each page, as we have said, was gummed to
the other.
D'Alen9on gazed wildly on this terrible spectacle.
" Oh," murmured he, " what will happen now ? Shall
I go into exile and seek a visionary throne, whilst Henry,
on the first intelligence of Charles's illness, will return to
some fortress near Paris, whence he may come hither in
an hour or two ; so that before D'Anjou even hears of
Charles's death the whole dynasty will be changed."
Instantly his plan with regard to Henry altered. It was
Charles who had read the poisoned book : Henry must
stay. He was less to be dreaded in the Bastille, or a
prisoner at Vincennes, than free, and at the head of thirty
thousand men.
The duke waited until Charles finished his chapter, and
412 MARGUERITE DE VALOI8.
then, " Brother," said he, " I waited because yon ordered
me ; but I have something of the greatest importance to
say to you."
" Ah, the devil take "you ! " returned Charles, whose
pale cheeks glowed with unusual fire. "If you come and
worry me, I'll get rid of you, as I have of the King of
Poland."
" It is not on that subject I would speak to you. Your
majesty has touched me in my most sensitive point, that
of my love for you as a brother, and my devotion as your
subject ; and I come to prove to you I am no traitor.*'
" Well, well," said Charles, crossing his legs, and throw-
ing himself back on his chair ; " some fresh report some
new nightmare."
" No, sire ; a certainty a plot, of which I know all the
details."
" A plot ! let us hear this wonderful plot."
" Sire," said Fra^ois, " whilst your majesty hawks in
the plain of Vesinet, the King of Navarre will fly into the
forest of St. Germain's, where a troop of his friends await
him, and will escape with him."
"I expected this ! " cried Charles ; "a fresh calumny
against my poor Harry ! When will you leave him
alone?"
" Your majesty need not wait long to know whether
what I say be true or false."
"Why not?"
" Because this evening he will be gone."
Charles rose. " Listen," said he : "I will once more
seem to believe you ; but mind, it is for the last time.
Without there ! summon the King of Navarre."
A soldier was about to obey,wheu Fran9ois stopped him.
"That is a bad way to learn the truth," said he.
" Henry will deny it, give a signal, all his accomplices will
conceal themselves, and my mother and myself will be ac-
cused of calumny."
Charles opened the window, for the blood was rushing
into his head. Then, turning to D'Alen9on, " What
would you do then ? " asked he.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 413
"Sire," said D'Alen9on, "I would surround the wood
with three detachments of light horse, who, at a certain
hour, should beat the forest, and drive every one in it to
the Pavilion of Fra^ois the First, which I would, as if
casually, have appointed as the place for dining at. Then,
when Henry left you, I would follow him to the rendez-
vous, and capture him and his accomplices."
" A good idea enough !" returned Charles. "Call the
captain of my guards."
D'Alen9on drew from his doublet a silver whistle, fas-
tened to a chain of gold, and whistled. De Nancey ap-
peared. Charles gave him some orders, in an undertone.
Meanwhile Actaeon, the boar-hound, had dragged a book
off the table and began to tear it. Charles turned round
and swore a terrible oath. The book was the precious
Treatise on Venerie, of which there existed but three
copies in the world.
The chastisement was proportionate to the offense.
Charles seized the whip and lashed the dog soundly :
Actseon yelled, and disappeared under a table covered with
a large green cloth. The king picked up the book, and
saw with joy that but one leaf was wanting, and that leaf,
not a page of text, but an engraving. He locked it up
carefully in a cupboard, toD'Aler^on's great regret ; who,
now that it had fulfilled its fearful task, would fain have
seen it out of Charles's hands.
Six o'clock struck, and the king descended. He first
closed the door of the armory, locked it, and put his key
in his pocket, D'AlenQon earnestly watching each move-
ment ; on his way down-stairs he stopped, and passed his
hand over his eye.
"I do not know what is the matter with me," observed
he, " but I feel very weak."
"Perhaps," faltered D'Alen9on, "there is a storm in
the air."
" A storm in March ! you are mad," said Charles. " No,
no ; I feel a dizziness, my skin is dry, I am over-fatigued ;
that's all."
The fresh air, the cries of the huntsmen, and the noise
414 MARGUERITE DE VALOI8.
of the horses and hounds, produced their ordinary effect
upon him ; he breathed freely, and felt exhilarant.
His first care was to look for Henry and Marguerite,
who seemed, excellent spouses, as if they could not quit
one another.
On perceiving Charles, Henry spurred his horse, and in
three bounds was beside him.
" Ah, ah, Harry ! " said Charles, " you are mounted as
if you were going to hunt the stag, and yet you know we
are only going to hawk."
Then without awaiting a reply, " Forward, gentlemen ! "
cried he, frowning ; " we must be at the meet by nine."
Catherine was watching at a window, and her pale face
only appeared : her figure was concealed by the curtain.
At Charles's order, the whole cortege passed through the
gate of the Louvre, and along the road to St.-Germains,
amidst the acclamations of the people, who sainted their
young king as he rode by on his white steed.
" What did he say to you ?" asked Marguerite of Henry.
" He felicitated me on the stoutness of my horse."
" Is that all ? "
"Yes."
" I fear he knows something."
"I fear so."
" Let us be cautious."
Henry's face was lighted up, in reply, with one of hie
cordial smiles, as if to say, " Be easy, ma mie."
As for Catherine, when she had seen them all depart,
she let fall the curtain : " This time," murmured she, " I
think I have him."
Then, to satisfy herself after having waited for a few
minutes, she entered the King of Navarre's apartments,
by aid of her pass-key. But she searched in vain for the
book.
" He has locked it up/' thought she ; " and if he has
not read it already, he will."
And she descended, convinced her project had succeeded.
The king arrived at St.-Germains. The sun, hitherto
hidden by a cloud, lighted up the splendid cortege. Then,
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 415
as if it had awaited this moment, a heron rose from the
reeds with a mournful cry.
" Haw ! haw I" cried Charles, unhooding his falcon.
The falcon, dazzled for a moment by the light, de-
scribed a circle ; then suddenly perceiving the heron,
dashed after it.
However, the heron, which had risen a hundred yards
before the beaters, had profited by the time occupied in
unhooding the falcon to gain a considerable distance ; he
was therefore at least at a height of five hundred feet, and
was still mounting rapidly.
" Haw ! haw ! Bec-de-Fer ! " cried Charles ; " haw !
haw!"
The noble bird, like an arrow, mounted after the heron,
which had now well-nigh disappeared.
"Ah, coward !" said Charles, putting his horse to its
speed, and throwing back his head, so as not to lose sight
of the chase ; " courage, Bec-de-Fer ! "
The contest was most curious ; the falcon was rapidly
nearing the heron ; the only question was, which could
rise the highest. Fear had better w.ings than courage.
The falcon passed underneath, and the heron, profiting by
his advantage, dealt him a blow with his long beak. The
falcon staggered, and seemed as if about to fly, but soon
recovering himself, went after the heron. The latter,
pursuing his advantage, had changed the direction of his
flight, and sought the forest ; but the falcon followed him
so closely, that the heron was fain again to mount, and in
a few seconds the two birds were scarcely distinguishable.
" Bravo, Bec-de-Fer ! " cried Charles, ' ' see, he is upper-
most 1 "
" Faith ! " said Henry, "I confess I do not see the one
or the other."
" Nor I," said Marguerite.
" If you can't see them, you may hear them. At least
the heron," replied Charles. " Hark ! he asks quarter."
As he spoke, two or three plaintive cries were heard.
" Look, look !" cried Charles, " and you will see them
descend quicker than they went up/*
416 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
As the king spoke, the two birds reappeared : the fal-
con was uppermost.
"Bec-de-Fer has him !" shouted Charles.
The heron, outflown by the falcon, no longer sought to
defend himself ; he folded his wings, and dropped like a
stone ; but his adversary- did the same ; and when the fugi-
tive again resumed his flight, he received a stroke that
stunned him ; he fell to the earth, and the falcon, utter-
ing a note of victory, alighted by him.
" Brave falcon 1" cried Charles, galloping towards the
spot where the heron lay. But suddenly he stopped, and,
uttering a piercing cry, let fall his bridle, and pressed his
hand to his stomach. All the courtiers hastened up.
" It is nothing," said he, with inflamed features and
haggard eyes. " But I felt as if a hot iron was passing
through me just now ; bat it is nothing. " And he gal-
loped on.
D'Alengon turned pale.
" What is the matter now ? " asked Henry of Margue-
rite.
" I know not," replied she ; "but did you see Charles ?
he was purple ! "
" He is not so generally," said Henry.
Arrived at the scene of combat, Charles sprang off his
horse ; but on alighting, he was forced to seize the sad-
dle to prevent himself from falling.
" My brother ! " cried Marguerite, " what is the mat-
ter?"'
" I feel," said Charles, " what Portia must have felt
when she swallowed her burning coals. It seems as if my
breath was flame."
Meantime, the falcon was reclaimed, and all the suite
gathered round Charles.
" What is all this ? " cried he, " Corps de Christ ! it is
nothing, or at most only the sun that affects me. Unhood
all the falcons ! there go a whole flight of herons ! "
Five or six falcons were instantly unhooded, whilst all
the chase galloped along the bank of the river.
" Well, madaine, what say you ? " asked Henry.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 417
" That the moment is favorable, and that if the king
does not look back, we may easily gain the forest/'
Henry called the attendant who had the fallen heron in
charge, and whilst the court swept on, remained behind,
as if to examine the bird. At this moment, and as if to
aid his plans, a pheasant rose. Henry slipped the jesses of
his falcon : he had now the pretext of a chase on his own
account to assist him.
CHAPTER LI.
THE PAVILIOK OP FRANCOIS THE FIRST.
AT the right of the Allee des Violettes is a long clearing,
so far that it cannot be discovered from the high-road, but
yet the high-road can be seen from the clearing.
In the middle of this clearing two men were lying on
the grass, having a traveling cloak spread beneath them,
at their side a long sword, and a musketoon (then called a
petronel) with the muzzle turned from them. One of them
was leaning on his knee and one hand, listening like a hare
or deer.
" It appears to me," said this individual, " that the
hunt drew very close upon us just now. I heard theories
of the hunters as they cheered on the falcon."
"And now," said the other, who appeared to await
events with much more philosophy than his comrade, " now
I hear them no longer ; they must be a long way off."
" What the devil ! my dear Annibal," said the other,
" would you have ? We must wait quietly ; the place hides
us and our mules and horses very well ; De Mouy has se-
lected a good spot, one which has all the concealments and
privacy indispensable to a conspirator."
" Ah, good ! " said the other gentleman ; " that's the
word, is it ? Well, I expected it. So, then, we are con-
spiring, are we ? "
27
4:18 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" We are not conspiring ; we are serving the king and
queen. "
" Well, it's all very odd ! " said Coconnas, yawning.
" It is not yet twelve o'clock, and therefore we have time
for a nap ; " and so saying, Coconuas stretched himself on
his mantle like a man who is about to add practise to pre-
cept, but as his ear touched the ground, he raised his fin-
ger and motioned La Mole to be silent.
Then a distant sound was heard, at first scarcely percep-
tible, and to unpractised ears would only have been the
wind, but to the cavaliers it was the distant galloping of
horses.
La Mole sprang to his feet in a moment.
" Here they are ! " said he. " Now then for a start ! "
Coconnas rose more quietly, and then a regular and meas-
ured noise struck the ear of the two friends ; the neigh-
ing of a horse made the horses they had at ten paces off
prick up their ears, and in an alley there passed, like a
white shadow, a female, who, turning towards them, made
a particular signal and disappeared.
" The queen ! " they exclaimed, both at once.
" What can this mean ? " said Coconnas.
" And she did so with her arm," said La Mole, " which
means : ' Presently ' "
"She did so," said Coconnas, "which means: 'Go
at once ' "
" The signal means : ' Wait for me."'
" It means : 'Away at once ! '
" Well," said La Mole, " let each act on his own convic-
tion. Do you go I will remain."
Coconnas shrugged his shoulders and laid down on the
grass. At the same moment, in the opposite direction
from that which the queen had followed, but in the same
alley, there passed, at top speed, a troop of horsemen,
whom the two friends recognized as Protestants. They
disappeared rapidly.
" Peste ! the thing becomes serious," said Coconnas,
rising. " Let us go to the Pavilion of Fra^ois the First."
" No," replied La Mole ; " by no means. If we are
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 419
discovered, the attention of the king will be especially
directed towards the pavilion, as that is the general
rendezvous. "
" Well, perhaps you are right," grumbled Coconnas.
Hardly had these words been uttered, than a horseman
passed like a flash of lightning amidst the trees, and leap-
ing over ditches, bushes, briars, and all obstacles, reached
the young men. He had a pistol in each hand, and guided
his horse in his furious career with his knees only.
" M. de Mouy !" exclaimed Caconnas, uneasy, and
now more on the alert than La Mole ; " M. de Mouy fly-
ing ! it is every one for himself ! "
" Quick quick ! " cried the Huguenot ; " away with
you ! all is lost 1 I have come round to tell you so, and
now to horse and away ! "
" And the queen ! " criedLa Mole.
But the voice of the young man was lost in the distance,
and he neither heard nor replied.
Coconnas had soon made up his mind, whilst La Mole
remained motionless, following De Mouy with his eyes, as
he disappeared amongst the branches. He hastened to the
horses, and leaping on his own, threw the bridle of the
other to La Mole, and prepared to dash off. " Come,
come ! " he exclaimed, " Let us be off, as De Mouy advises,
and De Mouy is a sensible man. Away, away, La Mole ! "
" One moment," said La Mole ; " we came here for
something."
" Unless it is to get hanged," replied Coconnas, " I
would advise you to lose no more time. I would only ob-
serve, that when M. de Mouy de Saint-Phale flies, all the
world may flee too.'*
" M. de Mouy de Saiiit-Phale," said La Mole, " is not
charged to carry off the Queen Marguerite ! M. de Mouy
de Saint-Phale does not love the Queen Marguerite I"
"Mordi ! and he is quite right too ! * Come de bositf! 1
as King Charles says, we are conspiring, my dear fellow ;
and when men conspire, they should make off at the right
time. Mount, mount, La Mole ! "
" Well, well, let us then to horse and away ! "
420 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" That's right/'
La Mole turned round to lay his hand on the pommel
of his saddle ; but at the moment when he put foot in the
stirrup, a voice of command was heard, saying :
' ' Halt there surrender ! "
And at the same moment the figure of a man was seen
behind an oak then another then thirty ; they were
the light dragoons dismounted, who were making their
way quietly, and searching the forest.
" What did I tell you ? " muttered Coconnas.
The light dragoons were within thirty paces of the two
friends.
" Well, gentlemen/' said the Piedmontese, " what is
your pleasure ? "
The lieutenant desired his men to take aim at the two
friends.
" Gentlemen/' said Coconnas, drawing his sword, and
raising it in the air, " we surrender ; but allow me to in-
quire wherefore we are called on to do so ?"
" That you must ask of the King of Navarre."
" What crime have we committed ? "
" M. d'Alen9on will inform you."
Coconnas and La Mole looked at each other. The name
of their enemy at such a moment had very little to give
them confidence. Yet they neither of them made any re-
sistance. Coconnas was desired to alight from his horse, a
maneuver which he executed without a word ; then they
were both placed in the center of the light dragoons, and
took the route to the Pavilion of Fran9ois I.
"You wished to see the Pavilion of Fra^ois," said
Coconnas to La Mole, when they saw through the trees
the walls of a pretty gothic building ; " well, there it is."
La Mole made no reply, but only extended his hand to
Coconnas. By the side of this beautiful pavilion, built in
the time of Louis XII., and which was called after Fran-
c,ois, because he always made it a rendezvous de chasse, was
a hut built for the huntsmen and prickers, and which was
now nearly concealed by the muskets, halberds, and swords
in front of it. Tho prisoners were conducted to this hut.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 421
We will now throw a little light on the gloomy position
of the two friends, by stating a few details. The Protes-
tant gentlemen had assembled, as was agreed, in the
Pavilion of Fraii9ois I., of which we know De Mouy had the
key. Masters of the forest, as they believed, they had
placed sentinels here and there, whom the light dragoons,
having exchanged their white scarfs into red ones (a pre-
caution due to the ingenious zeal of M. de Nancey), had
laid hands upon without striking a blow.
The -light dragoons continued their quest, keeping a
good watch over the pavilion : but De Mouy, who, as we
have seen, was awaiting the king at the end of the Allee
des Violettes, had seen these red scarfs stealing along, and
instantly suspected them. He hastily concealed himself,
and remarked the vast circle they made in order to beat
the forest and hem in the place of rendezvous. At the
same moment, at the bottom of the principal alley, he had
seen the white aigrettes and bright arquebusses of the
king's body-guard, and then the king himself, whilst in
the opposite direction he observed the King of Navarre.
Then he had made a sign of a cross with his hat, which was
the signal agreed upon when all was lost. At this signal
the king turned back, and rapidly disappeared. Then De
Mouy, digging the two large rowels of his spurs into the
sides of his horse, fled like the wind, and as he fled, gave
those words of advice to La Mole and Cocounas which we
have mentioned.
But the king, perceiving the absence of Henry and Mar-
guerite, had arrived, escorted by D'Alenqon, to see them
both come from the hut, where he had desired all to be
shut up who were found, not only in the pavilion, but in
the forest.
D'Alen9on, full of confidence, galloped close by the king,
whose excessive pain increased his ill humor. Twice or
thrice he had nearly fainted, and once had vomited blood.
"Quick, quick \" he said, when he arrived. "Make
haste ; I want to return to the Louvre. Draw these rebels
out of their lair. This is Saint Blaise's day, and he was
cousin to Saint Bartholomew."
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
At these words of the king, all the pikes and arque-
busses were in motion, and they compelled the Huguenots
arrested in the forest or the pavilion to come out of the
hut one after the other. But the King of Navarre, Mar-
guerite, and De Mouy were not amongst them.
" Well," said the king, " where is Henry where is
Margot ? You promised them to me, D'Alen9on, and,
corbcBitf I I must have them found."
" We have not seen the King and Queen of Navarre,
sire," said M. de Nancey.
"But here they come," observed Madame ne Nevers.
And at the same moment, at the further extremity of
an alley which led down to the river, appeared Henry and
Marguerite, both as calm as if nothing had happened ; both
with their falcons on their wrist, and lovingly side by side
on their horses, as they galloped along, whilst their steeds,
like themselves, seemed to be caressing each other.
It was then that D'Alen9on, furious, commanded the
forests to be searched, and that La Mole and Coconnas
were discovered.
They had reached the circle which the guards closed in ;
only, as they were not sovereigns, they could not assume so
cool an appearance as Henry and Marguerite. La Mole
was too pale, and Coconnas was too red.
CHAPTER LIT.
THE EXAMINATIONS.
THE spectacle which presented itself to the friends, as
they entered, was one of those that, once seen, is never
forgotten.
As we have already said, Charles had anxiously observed
each prisoner as, one by one, they left the piqueur's hut,
watching, with an earnestness equal to that felt by D'Alen-
9on, to see the King of Navarre come forth.
Both were doomed to disappointment ; but, though thus
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 423
out in their calculation, there still remained something to
be done, and that was to find the cause of those being
absent they counted upon finding there.
When, therefore, Henry and Marguerite were seen ap-
proaching from the end of an alley, a mortal paleness seized
D'Alen9on, while the breast of Charles seemed relieved
from a load, and his heart beat with a hope that his friend
Harry might yet disprove all that had been urged against
him.
" He will escape again I" murmured FranQois.
But at this moment the king was seized with such ex-
cruciating pains, such spasmodic agony throughout his
frame, that, pressing a hand on each side, he shrieked
aloud like a delirious man.
Henry hastened towards him, but by the time he had
traversed the short space that separated them, the paroxysm
had passed away.
" From whence come you ? " inquired the king, with a
sternness of manner that frightened Marguerite.
" Nay, brother/' replied she, as though the question had
been applied to herself ; " we have been joining in the
chase/'
" Had it been so, you would have pursued the river's
side, instead of seeking the recesses of the forest."
" Sire," said Henry, " my falcon suddenly struck down
a pheasant, at the very time we had stopped to look after
the heron."
' ( Have you the bird ? "
" Behold it, sire as fine a bird as I have seen ! " replied
Henry, with the most perfect air of well-assumed inno-
cence, as he held up his beautiful prize.
" Ah, ah ! " exclaimed Charles ; " but why did you not
rejoin me when you had secured the pheasant ? "
" Because the bird had directed his flight towards the
park, sire ; so that when we returned to the river's side,
we saw you more than a mile off proceeding towards the
forest. Therefore, having been permitted to join your
majesty's chase, we did not like being thrown out, and
proceeded to gallop after yon as fast as we could/'
424 MABGUEKITE DE VALOIS.
" And were all these gentlemen invited also P" inquired
Charles.
" What gentlemen ? " inquired Henry, casting a look
of inquiry around him.
"Pardieu ! " exclaimed Charles ; " why, your Huguenot
friends. All I can say is, that they certainly cannot boast
of my invitation to join our sport."
" Probably, sire," answered Henry, " they come at the
bidding of M. d'Alenqon."
" I ? " said the Duke d'Alengon.
" Why, yes, brother," returned Henry ; " did you not
announce yourself yesterday as King of Navarre ? What
can be more natural than that the grateful people have as-
sembled here to thank you for accepting the crown, and
the king for giving it ? Is it not so, gentlemen ? "
" Yes, yes ! " shouted forth a number of voices. ie Long
live the Duke d'Alengon ! long live King Charles 1 "
" I am not king of the Huguenots ! " said Frangois,
perfectly white with rage ; and, looking stealthily at
Charles, he added, " and trust I never shall be 1 **
"No matter," interposed Charles; "but you must be
very sure, Henry, that I look upon all this as very strange."
" Sire," cried the King of Navarre, firmly, " heaven
pardon me for saying such a thing, but most persons would
say I was undergoing an examination."
" And if it were so, how would you answer ? "
"That I am a king like yourself," replied Henry,
proudly ; " for it is not the crown, but birth, that confers
royalty ; and that, though I would cheerfully answer any
questions asked by my friend and brother, I should per-
emptorily refuse to reply to my judge."
" I only wish," muttered Charles, " that for once in
my life I could hit upon what it was right to do."
* ' M. de Mouy is doubtless among those persons secured/'
cried the Duke d'Alengon. " Let him be brought before
your majesty ; we shall then know all we require."
" Is M.de Mouy among the prisoners? " inquired the king.
Henry felt a momentary uneasiness, and exchanged
glances with Marguerite ; but it was quickly dispersed.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 425
No voice answered to the inquiry of De Mouy.
That individual is not among the parties arrested/'
said M. de Nancey ; " some of my men fancy they saw
him, but no one is certain on the subject."
An oath escaped from the lips of D'Alen9on.
"Ha!" cried Marguerite, pointing to La Mole and
Coconnas, who had heard all that had passed, and on whose
wit and intelligence she felt sure she might reckon ;
" here, sire, are two gentlemen in the service of M. D'Alen-
9on ; question them they will reply to you."
The duke felt the blow.
" I had them arrested purposely, to be enabled to prove
that they neither of them belonged to me," answered the
duke.
The king contemplated the two friends, and started at
seeing La Mole again.
" What ! that Provengal here ? " said he, frowning.
Coconnas bowed most respectfully.
" What were you doing when you were arrested ? "
asked Charles.
" Sire, myself and friend were busily engaged planning
deeds of love and war."
" What, with horses ready saddled, armed to the teeth,
and every preparation made for flight ? "
" Not so, sire ! replied Coconnas ; " yai*r majesty is mis-
informed on this subject. We were lying beneath a
sheltering beech, sub tegmine fagi, and might easily have
ridden away had we entertoined the slightest suspicion
that we had been so unfortunate as to offend your majesty.
Now, gentlemen," continued he, turning towards the
light horsemen, " say, candidly and fairly, on your honor
as soldiers, could we or could we not have escaped, had
such been our desire ? "
"Truth compels me to declare," answered the lieu-
tenant, " that neither of these cavaliers made the slight-
est attempt at flight."
"Because, in all probability, their horses were too far
off," chimed in the Duke d'Alengon.
"Your pardon, my lord duke," responded Coconnas,
426 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" but our horses could scarcely be nearer than they were
I being upon mine, and M. de la Mole holding his, in the
very act of mounting."
" Is this correct ? " inquired the king.
" Perfectly so," replied the lieutenant; " and more, upon
seeing us approach, M. de Coconnas got off his horse."
Coconnas looked at the king with a sort of grim smile,
that seemed to say, " There, you see ! "
" But what did all those led horses, those mules laden
with cases and packages, signify, then ?" demanded
Francois.
"How can we tell you ?" replied Coconnas ; " we are
neither grooms nor squires. Ask these questions of the
varlet who had charge of them."
* ' He is not to be found ! " exclaimed the duke, almost
frantic with rage.
"Most likely he was frightened, and ran away," re-
torted Coconnas ; " one cannot expect a clown to have
the notions or manners of a gentleman."
" Still the same system," said D'Alenqon, gnashing his
teeth ; " fortunately, sire, I told you beforehand that
neither of these persons had been in my service for some
days past/'
"Is it possible," cried Coconnas, "that 1 have the
misfortune no 'longer to form part of your highnesses
retinue ? "
" Morbleu f monsieur, why affect ignorance on this
subject, when you yourself gave in your dismissal in a
letter so impertinent that I have thought proper to pre-
serve it, and happily have it about me."
"I confess," said Coconnas, "I had flattered myself
with the hope of being forgiven for writing that letter,
under the first influence of vexation at learning that your
highness had endeavored to strangle my friend La Mole in
one of the corridors of the Louvre."
" What is that he says ? " interrupted the king.
" At first I thought your highness was alone in the
affair ; but afterwards I learned that three other per-
sons "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 427
" Silence ! " exclaimed Charles, " we have heard
enough." Then, turning to the King of Navarre, he said,
"Henry, your word not to escape."
" I give it to your majesty."
" Keturn to Paris with M. de Nancey, and remain in
your chamber under arrest. As for you, messieurs/' con-
tinued he, speaking to the two friends, "give up your
swords."
La Mole looked at Marguerite, who smiled ; the young
man immediately delivered his sword to the nearest of-
ficer. Coconnas following his friend's example.
" Has M. de Mouy been found ? " inquired the king.
"No, sire," answered M. de Nancey; "either he was
not in the forest, or he has escaped."
" So much the worse," rejoined Charles ; " but let us
return to Paris. I am cold, and my head seems dizzy."
" 'Tis anger that excites yon, sire," observed Franqois.
" It may be ; but my eyes seem troubled. Where are
the prisoners ? I cannot distinguish anything. Is it so
soon dark ? Oh, mercy ! help help I die ! I die ! "
So saying, the unfortunate king let go the reins of his
horse, and fell backwards, wildly stretching forth his
hands ; while his terrified courtiers, alarmed at this sud-
den seizure, prevented him from falling.
Standing apart from the clustering nobles, FranQois
wiped the cold drops from his brow ; for he alone of all
the company knew the- cause of Charles's violent attack.
The king was now quite insensible. A litter was
brought, and he being extended on it, was covered with a
cloak taken from the shoulders of one of his attendants.
The melancholy procession then proceeded towards
Paris, in a very different frame of mind to that in which
it had departed thence in the morning. Then, a merry,
jocund party had set forth, ^consisting of conspirators
whose hearts beat high with hope, and a joyous monarch,
promising himself many such days of princely enjoyment :
their return displayed a dying king surrounded by rebel
prisoners.
Marguerite, who throughout all this had not for an in-
DUUAS VOL. III. 19
428 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
stant lost her self-possession, gave her husband a look of
intelligence, then, passing so close to La Mole that he was
enabled to catch the two brief words she uttered, she said :
" Me deide." (" Fear nothing.")
"Now, gentlemen," exclaimed the captain of light
horse, " we are ready to start."
" Would it be a liberty," inquired Coconnas, " to ask
where we are going to ? "
" I believe to Vincennes," replied the lieutenant.
" I would rather be going anywhere else," answered Co-
connas ; " but people are sometimes obliged to do things
against their will."
The king recovered his senses during the journey, and
even a portion of his strength : he declared himself equal
to remounting his horse, but that was not permitted.
" Let Maitre Ambroise Pare be immediately sum-
moned," said Charles, as he reached the Louvre. Then,
descending from his litter, he walked slowly towards his
apartments leaning on the arm of Tavannes, and strictly
forbidding any persons following him.
All had observed his extreme gravity of look and manner.
During the journey homewards, he had appeared lost in
reflection, not addressing a word to those around him.
Still it was evident, that the recently discovered con-
spiracy formed no part of his thoughts, but that he was
solely occupied with his own illness a malady so strange,
so sudden and severe, and the symptoms of which remind-
ed the spectators of those visible in the last sickness of
Francois II.
Arrived at his chamber, Charles seated himself on a
species of chaise-longue, and supported his head on the
cushions : then, reflecting that there might be some little
delay ere the arrival of Mattre Ambroise Pare he deter-
mined to employ the intermediate space as well as he
could. He clapped his hands a guard appeared.
Let the King of Navarre be informed I desire to speak
with him," said Charles.
The man bowed, and departed.
Again was the king visited by a repetition of the dis-
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 429
tressing sufferings he had previously undergone ; his head
fell back ; his ideas seemed crowded and confused, till he
could not separate one from the other ; a sort of blood-
colored vapor seemed to float before his eyes ; his mouth
was parched, and he fruitlessly sought to slake the burn-
ing thirst by which he was consumed by swallowing the
contents of a carafe of water.
During the almost lethargic state into which Charles
had sunk, a sudden noise was heard of approaching foot-
steps ; the door rolled back on its hinges, and Henry stood
before him.
" You sent for me, sire," said he. " I am here."
The sound of the well-known voice effectively roused
Charles, who, raising his languid head mechanically, held
out his hand to Henry.
" Sire," observed Henry, whose arms hung beside him,
without any attempt to imitate the offered cordiality on
the part of the king, " your majesty forgets that I am no
longer your brother, but your prisoner."
" True, true," answered Charles, " and I thank you for
having reminded me of it ; but was there not also some
promise on your part, when we last spoke together, to
answer me candidly whatever questions I might put to
you ? "
" I did so pledge myself to your majesty, and I am ready
to keep my word."
The king poured some water into the palm of his hand
and applied it to his temples.
" First, then/' said he, " tell me truly, Henry, how
much of the charge brought against you by the Duke
d'Alengon is correct ?"
" Half of it. It was M. d'Alen9on who was to have
fled, and I who was to have accompanied him."
" And why should you have done so, Henry ? Are you
dissatisfied with my conduct towards you ? "
" Far from it, sire. Your majesty is all goodness ; and
that God, to whom the secrets of all men's hearts are
known, knows well how truly and affectionately I love
and honor my king and brother."
430 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Yet," said Charles, " methinks 'tis not usual to fly
from those we love, and who love us. "
" Your majesty is right in so believing ; but 'twas not
from those I loved I sought to escape, but from such as
hated me, and desired my ruin. Am I permited to speak
openly ? "
" You are proceed. "
" The persons whose animosity I dreaded and wished to
fly from were M. d'Alen9on and the queen-mother."
" As for M. d'Alenqon, I will not say you are wrong ;
but the queen-mother loads you with attentions."
" And 'tis precisely for that reason I mistrust her ; and
a very good thing it is I was on my guard."
" Against the queen-mother ?"
" Aye, the queen- mother, or those who are about her.
Now, will your majesty tell me as candidly as I have an-
swered the questions put to me, whether my life is of any
value in your eyes ? "
" I should be miserable if any harm were to befall you."
" Well, then, I can assure your majesty you have twice
very narrowly escaped being made miserable on my ac-
count. Twice has Providence interposed in my behalf.
Certainly, upon one occasion Providence thought fit to
assume the features of your majesty."
"And who was your preserver upon the other oc-
casion ? "
"A very unlikely person to be selected as a providential
agent for good : no other than Rene."
" And what did he for you ? "
" He saved me from poison."
" You have all the luck, Harry ! " murmured poor
Charles, faintly smiling ; but the feeble attempt was
quickly dispelled by the sharp spasmodic contraction of
returning suffering.
The king wiped his brow, and signed to Henry to pro-
ceed.
" Well, sire," said Henry, " have I spoken out as boldly
as you desired ? Is there anything else you -are desirous
of questioning me upon ? "
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
" Harry, you are a good and faithful fellow. Tell me
this do you apprehend any further attempts on your life
or honor on the part of your enemies ? "
"I can but assure you, that when evening comes, I am
always surprised to find myself still in existence."
" It is because they see I love you, they are thus bitter :
but make yourself quite easy. They shall meet with their
just reward ; meanwhile, you are free/'
" To quit Paris ?" asked Henry.
" No, no ! You are well aware I cannot possibly do
without you. Millenoms d'un diable! I must have some
one to love me, surely."
" Then if your majesty prefers keeping me with you, at
least grant me one favor. "
"What is that?"
*' Not to entertain me as a friend, but to detain me as a
prisoner."
" A prisoner, Harry ! "
"Nay, does not your majesty see plainly enough that it
is your friendship that brings all my troubles and disas-
ters on me ? "
" And you would prefer my hatred ? "
" I would only desire your feigned dislike, sire. An
outward manifestation of displeasure on your part will
save me from any further persecution from those who
will esteem me of too little consequence to merit their
hostility, directly they believe you have disgraced and dis-
missed me from favor but your majesty is still suffering
from your recent attack ; I can perceive the efforts you
are making to conceal it. Permit me to summon the
necessary aid."
"I have sent for Maitre Ambroise Pare."
" Then I shall retire more satisfied."
" Upon my soul," said the king. " I verily believe
you are the only person in the world who really loves
me!"
" Is such your opinion, sire ? "
" It is, oil the word of a gentleman."
" Then I pray you to commend me to the strict keep-
432 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
ing of M. de Nancey, as a man your extreme anger may
doom to death ere a month is past. By that means you
will have me to love you for many years."
" M. de Naneey ! " cried Charles. The captain of the
guards entered. " M. de Nancey," said Charles, " I here
commit to your keeping the most guilty man in my king-
dom ; yon will answer for him with your life. "
The officer bowed low ; and with a well-feigned air of
consternation, Henry followed his self-solicited keeper
from the apartment.
CHAPTER Lin.
ACTION.
CHARLES was alone, and much astonished not to have
seen one or other of his faithful attendants his nurse
Madeleine and his greyhound Actaeon.
" Nurse has gone to sing her psalms with some Hugue-
not of her acquaintance," he said to himself ; " and Actaeon
is still angry with me for the blow I gave him with my whip
this morning."
Charles then took a wax candle, and went into the nurse's
apartment : she was not there, and he passed on into his
armory ; but as he went forward, one of those agonies he
had already experienced, and which came on him suddenly,
seized him. He suffered as if his entrails were perforated
with a hot iron ; an unquenchable thirst consumed him,
and seeing a cup of milk on the table, he swallowed it at
a draught, and then felt somewhat easier, and entered the
armory.
To his great astonishment, Actaeon did not come to meet
him had he been shut up ? In that case, he would have
known that his master had returned from hunting, and
howled to rejoin him.
Charles called whistled the animal did not appear.
He advanced four paces, and as the light of the waz
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 433
candle threw its beams to the angle of the cabinet, he saw,
in the corner, a large mass extended on the floor.
" Halo ! Actseon, halo ! " said Charles, whistling again.
The dog never stirred ; Charles hastened forward, and
touched him ; the poor brute was stiff and cold. From
his throat, contracted by pain, several drops of humor
had fallen, mingled with a foamy and bloody slaver. The
dog had found in the cabinet an old cap of his master's,
and had died with his head resting on something that
represented a friend. '
At this spectacle, which made him forget his own suffer-
ings, and restored him to all his energy, rage boiled in
Charles's veins : he would have cried out, but, encompassed
in their greatness as they are, kings are not free to yield
to that first impulse which every man turns to the profit
of his passion or his defense : Charles reflected that there
might be some treason here, and was silent.
Then he knelt before his dog, and examined the dead
carcase with an experienced eye. The eye was glassy, the
tongue red, and covered with pustules ; it was a strange
disease, and made Charles shudder.
The king put on his gloves, opened the livid lips of the
dog to examine the teeth, and remarked, in the interstices,
some white-looking fragments clinging about the points of
his sharp teeth. He took these fragments out, and at once
recognized that they were paper ; near where the paper
was, the inflammation was more violent, the gums more
swollen, and the skin as if eaten by vitriol.
Charles looked around him attentively. On the carpet
were lying several pieces of paper similar to that which he
had already recognized in the dog's throat ; one of the bits,
larger than the others, presented the marks of an engrav-
ing on wood. Charles's hair stood erect on his head ; he
recognized a fragment of the engraving which represented
a gentleman hawking, and it was that which Actaeon had
torn out of the book.
" Ah," said he, turning pale, " the book was poisoned ! "
Then, suddenly calling up his recollections, " Milk de-
mons ! I touched every page with my finger, and at every
28
434 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
page I raised my finger to my lips to moisten it. These
faintings these agonies these vomitings ! I am a dead
man!"
Charles remained for an instant motionless under the
weight of this frightful idea ; then, raising himself with
a hoarse groan, he went hastily towards the door.
" Let some one go instantly, and with all despatch/' he
cried, " to Maitre Rene, and bring him here in ten min-
utes. If Maitre Ambroise Pare arrives, desire him to
wait."
A guard went instantly to obey the king's commands.
" Ah/* muttered Charles, " if I put everybody to the
torture, I will learn who gave this book to Harry ! " and
with the perspiration on his brow, his hands clenched, his
breast heaving, Charles remained with his eyes fixed on
the body of his dead dog. Ten minutes afterwards, the
Florentine rapped timidly at the door. " Enter ! " said
Charles.
The perfumer appeared, and Charles went up towards
him with an imperious air and compressed lip.
" Your majesty desired to see me," said Rene, trem-
bling.
" Yes ; you are a skilful chemist, are you not ? "
Sire "
" And know all that the most skilful doctors know ? "
"Your majesty is pleased to flatter me."
"No, my mother tells me so ; and besides, I have confi-
dence in you, and had rather consult you than any one
else. Look ! " he continued, pointing to the carcass of
the dead dog ; " I beg you to look at that animal's moath,
and tell me of what death he has died."
"Whilst Ren, with a wax candle in his hand, was stoop-
ing down to the ground, as much to hide his emotion as
to obey the king, Charles, standing up, with his eyes fixed
on him, awaited with a feverish expectation, easily to be
imagined, the reply, which would be his sentence of death
or his assurance of safety.
Rene" drew a kind of scalpel from his pocket, opened it,
and, with the point, detached from the dog's throat the
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 435
morsels of paper adhering to the gums, looking long and at-
tentively to the humor and blood which distilled from
each wound.
" Sire/' he said, in a tremulous voice, " here are very
sad symptoms."
Charles felt an icy shudder run through his veins, and
to his very heart.
" Yes/' he exclaimed, " the dog has been poisoned, has
he not?"
"I fear so, sire."
" And with what sort of poison ? "
"I think a mineral poison."
" Can you ascertain to a certainty whether or not he has
been poisoned ? "
" Yes, on opening and examining the stomach."
" Open it, then, as I wish to be assured on the point."
" I must call some one to assist me."
"I will assist you," said Charles ; " and if he has been
poisoned, what symptoms shall we find ?"
"Red blotches and herborizations in the stomach."
" Come, then, to work ! "
Een6", with one stroke of the scalpel, opened the hound's
body, whilst Charles, with one knee on the ground, lighted
him with clenched and convulsive hand.
" See, sire," said Ren6 ; " see, here are certain marks ;
here are the red blotches I mentioned, and these veins,
turgid with blood, like the roots of certain plants, are
what I meant by herborizations. I find here every symp-
tom I anticipated."
" And the dog is assuredly poisoned ? "
" Unquestionably^ sire/'
" With mineral poison ? "
" According to every appearance."
"And what would be a man's symptoms, who by acci-
dent had swallowed such poison ? "
" Great pains in the head, a feeling of burning in the
stomach, as if he had swallowed hot coals, pains in the
bowels, and vomiting."
" Would he be thirsty ?" asked Charles.
436 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Parchingly thirsty."
" 'Tis so, then 'tis so, then," muttered the king ; and
aloud he asked, " What is the antidote to administer to a
man who had swallowed the same substance as my dog ? "
Ren6 reflected an instant. " There are many mineral
poisons," he replied, " and I should like to know precisely
which your majesty means. Has your majesty any idea of
the mode in which the poison was conveyed to the dog ? "
" Yes," said Charles ; "he has eaten the leaf of a book."
" The leaf of a book ? "
" Yes."
" And has your majesty got that book ? "
"Here it is," was Charles's answer, taking the hunting-
book from the shelf where he had placed it, and handing
it to Rene, who gave a start of surprise, which did not
escape the king.
" He has eaten a leaf of this book ? " stammered Rene 1 .
" Yes, this one ; " and Charles pointed out the torn leaf.
" Allow me to tear out another, sire."
"Do so."
Rene tore out a leaf, held it in the wax candle, and when
it caught light, a strong smell of garlic diffused itself
through the apartment. " He has been poisoned with a
preparation of arsenic," he said.
" You are sure ?"
"As if I had prepared it myself."
" And the antidote ? " Ren6 shook his head.
" What ! " said Charles, in a hoarse voice, " do you know
no remedy ? "
" The best and most efficacious is white of eggs beaten
in milk ; but "
"But what ? "
" It must be instantly administered ; if not "
If not "
"It is a subtle poison, sire," replied Ren&.
" Yet it does not kill at once," said Charles.
" No, but it kills surely : no matter as to the length of
time the person is in dying, though sometimes that may
be reduced to a calculation."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 437
Charles leaned on the marble table. " Now," said he,
touching Eene on the shoulder, "you know this book."
"I, sire I" replied Ken&, turning pale.
" Yes, you ; for you betrayed yourself as your looked
at it."
" Sire, I swear to you "
" Listen to me, Eene, and listen attentively. You
poisoned the Queen of Navarre with gloves ; you poisoned
the Prince de Porcian with the smoke of a lamp ; you
tried to poison M. de Cond6 with a scented apple. Kene",
I will have your flesh torn off your bones, shred by shred,
with red-hot pincers, if you do not tell me to whom this
book belongs."
The Florentine saw that he must not trifle with
Charles's anger, and resolved to reply with audacity.
" And if I tell the truth, sire, who will guarantee me
from not being more cruelly tortured than if I hold my
tongue ? "
" I will."
" Will you give me your royal word ? "
" On my honor as a gentleman, your life shall be spared,"
said the king.
"Then this book belongs to me."
"To you? "replied Charles, starting, and gazing on
him with bewildered eye.
" Yes, to me."
" And how did it leave your hands ? "
"Her majesty the queen-mother took it from my
house."
" The queen-mother ? " exclaimed Charles.
"Yes."
" And with what intention ? "
"With the intention, as I believe, of having it sent to
the King of Navarre, who had inquired of the Duke
d'Alen9on for a book of this description" to study hawking
from."
" Ah ! " said Charles, " and is that it ? I understand
it all. This book, indeed, was in Harry's chamber. There
is a destiny, and I submit to it."
438 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
At this moment, Charles was seized with a congh so
dry and violent as to agonize him, and bring on a fresh
attack of pain in the stomach ; he uttered two or three
stifled groans, and fell into a chair.
"What ails you, sire ?" asked Rene, alarmed.
"Nothing," said Charles, "except great thirst. Give
me something to drink."
Ren6 poured out a glass of water, and presented it to
Charles, who swallowed it at a draught.
" Now/' said he, taking a pen, and dropping it into the
ink, " write in this book."
" What shall I write ? "
"What I dictate : ' This book on hawking was given by
me to the queen-mother Catherine de Medicis. RENE."'
The Florentine wrote and signed as he was commanded.
" You promised my life should be saved," said Ren6.
"And on my part I will keep my word."
" But," said Rene, "as to the queen-mother !"
" Oh," replied Charles, " that I have nothing to do
with. It you are attacked, defend yourself."
" Sire, may I quit France when I find my life men-
aced ?"
" I will reply to that in fifteen days hence ; in the mean-
time "
And Charles frowningly placed his finger on his livid
lips.
" Rely on me, sire," said Rene, who, too happy to escape
so well, bowed, and left the room.
Behind him the nurse appeared at her chamber door.
"What is the matter, my Chariot ?" she inquired.
" Nurse, I have been walking in the dew, and it has
given me cold."
" You look very pale, Chariot."
" And feel very weak. Give me your arm, nurse, and
help me to bed ; " and leaning on her, Charles went to
his chamber.
" Now," said Charles, " I will put myself to bed."
" And if Maitre Ambroise Pare comes ? "
" You must tell him I am. better, and do not want him."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 439
" But, meanwhile, what will yon take ? "
" Oh, a very simple medicine whites of eggs beaten in
milk. By the way, nurse, poor Actseon is dead ; to-mor-
row morning have him buried in a corner of the garden
of the Louvre ; he was one of my best friends, and I will
raise a tomb over him, if I have time."
CHAPTER LIV.
ACCOKDING to the order given by Charles IX., Henry
was the same evening conducted to Vincennes, that famous
castle of which only a fragment now remains, but colossal
enough to give an idea of its past grandeur.
At the postern of the prison they stopped. M. de Nancey
alighted from his horse, opened the gate closed with a
padlock, and respectfully invited the king to follow him.
Henry obeyed without a word of reply. Every abode
seemed to him more safe than the Louvre, and ten doors
closing on him at the same time, were between him and
Catherine de Medicis.
The royal prisoner crossed the drawbridge between two
soldiers, passed the three doors on the ground floor and
the three doors at the foot of the staircase, and then, still
preceded by M. de Nancey, went up one flight of stairs.
Arrived there, Captain de Nancey requested the king to
follow him through a kind of corridor, at the extremity of
which was a very large and gloomy chamber.
Henry looked around him with considerable disquietude.
" Where are we ? " he inquired.
" In the chamber of torture, monseigneur."
" Ah, ah ! " replied the king, looking at it attentively.
There was something of everything in this apartment ;
pitchers and trestles for the torture by water ; wedges and
mallets for the question of the boot ; moreover, there were
stone benches for the unhappy wretches who awaited the
440 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
question, nearly all round the chamber ; and above these
seats, and to the seats themselves, and at the foot of these
seats, were iron rings, morticed into the walls with no
symmetry but that of the torturing art.
" Ah, ah 1" said Henry, " is this the way to my apart-
ment?"
" Yes, monseigneur, and here it is," said a figure in the
dark, who approached and then became distinguishable.
Henry thought he recognized the voice, and advancing
towards the individual, said : " Ah, is it you, Beaulieu ?
And what the devil do you do here ? "
s< Sire, I have been nominated governor of the fortress
of Vincennes."
" Well, my dear sir, your d6but does you honor ; a king
for a prisoner is no bad commencement."
" Pardon me, sire, but before I received you I had al-
ready received two gentlemen."
" Who may they be ? Ah, your pardon ! Perhaps I
commit an indiscretion ? "
" Monseigneur, I have not been bound to secrecy. They
are M. de la Mole and M. de Coconnas."
" Poor gentlemen ! And where are they ? "
" High up ; on the fourth floor."
Henry gave a sigh. It was there he wished to be.
"Now, then, M. de Beaulieu," said Henry, "have the
kindness to show me my chamber. I am desirous of reach-
ing it, as I am very much fatigued with my day's toil."
" Here, monseigneur," said Beaulieu, showing Henry an
open door.
" No. 2 I " said Henry, "and why not No. 1 ?"
" Because it is reserved, monseigneur."
" Ah, that is another thing," said Henry, and he became
even more pensive. He wondered who was to occupy No. 1.
The governor, with a thousand apologies, installed Henry
in his apartment, made many excuses for his deficiencies,
and placing two soldiers at the door, retired.
"Now," said the governor, addressing the turnkey,
" let us visit the others."
The turnkey preceded him, and traversing the Salle de
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 441
Question, they again passed the corridor, and reaching the
staircase, M. de Beaulieu followed his guide up three pair
of stairs. On reaching the fourth story, the turnkey
opened successively three doors, each ornamented with
two locks and three enormous bolts. He had scarcely
touched the third door than they heard a joyous voice,
which exclaimed :
" Eh, mordi ! open, if it be only to give us a little air !
Your stove is so warm, that it stifles me here/'
"One moment, my gentleman/' said the turnkey ; "I
have not come to let you out, but to come in to you with
the governor."
" M. the Governor does me great honor," replied Co-
connas, " and is most welcome."
M. de Beaulieu then entered, and answered Coconnas's
cordial smile by one of those icy politenesses which belong
to governors of fortresses, jailers, and executioners.
" Have you any money, sir ? " he inquired of his prisoner.
" I ? " replied Coconnas. " Not a crown."
"Jewels?"
"I have a ring."
" Allow me to search you."
"Mordi! " cried Coconnas, reddening with anger.
" We must suffer everything for the service of the king ! "
" Humph ! " replied the Piedmontese, " they who rob
on the Pont-Neuf are, then, like you, in the service of
the king. Mordi ! I have been very unjust, sir ; for
until now I had taken them for thieves."
"Sir, good day!" said Beaulieu. "Jailer, lock the
door!"
The governor went away, taking with him the ring, a
beautiful sapphire which Madame de Nevers had given to
Coconnas to remind him ^f the color of her eyes.
" Now for the other," he said, as he went out.
They crossea aa' empty apartment, and the game of
three doors, six locks, and nine bolts, was played all over
again.' The last door being opened, a sigh was the first
sound that saluted the visitors. The chamber was even
more gloomy than the one which M. de Beaulien had just
442 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
quitted. La Mole was seated in a corner, his head resting
on his hand, and in spite of the visit and the visitors, was
as motionless as if he did not observe them.
" Good evening, M. de la Mole," said Beaulieu.
The young man raised his head slowly.
" Good evening, sir," he replied.
"Sir," continued Beaulieu, "I have come to search
you."
" It is useless/' replied La Mole ; " I will give you all I
have."
" What have you ? "
"About three hundred crowns, these jewels, these
rings."
La Mole turned out his pockets, stripped his fingers,
and took the clasp out of his hat.
"Have you nothing more Y"
"Not that I know of."
"And that silk cord round your neck, what may that
be ? " asked the governor.
" Sir, it is not a jewel ; it is a relic."
" You must give it to me."
" Really, do you require it? Well then, sir, here it is."
Then turning away, as if to approach the light, he un-
fastened the pretended relic, which was in fact a medallion
containing a portrait. The latter he took out of its case,
pressed it to his lips, and having kissed it many times,
pretended to drop it accidentally, and placing the heel of
his boot upon it, crushed it to atoms.
" Sir," said Beaulieu, when he saw the miniature liter-
ally ground to dust, "I shall complain of this to the
king."
And without taking leave of his prisoner in a single
word, he withdrew so angry that he left the turnkey to
fasten the doors. The jaile* advanced a few paces, and
observing that M. de Beaulieu hatf . ^iV^^v descended
several stairs, he said, turang to La Mole :
" Ma foil sir, it was-ery well you gave me the hui*^ re( j
crowns at once, for vhich I am to give you leave to st
and talk with your companion ; for if you had not, the
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 44.3
governor would have taken them with the other three
hundred, and my conscience would then not have allowed
me to do anything for you ; but I have been paid in ad-
vance, and have promised you shall see your comrade, and
an honest man always keeps his word : only, if you can
avoid it, for your own sake as well as mine, do not talk
politics."
La Mole came forth from his apartment, and found
himself face to face with Coconnas, who was walking up
and down the flags of the intermediate chamber. The two
friends threw themselves into each other's arms. The
jailer pretended to wipe the corner of his eye, and then
withdrew, to watch that the prisoners were not surprised,
or rather, himself not suspected.
" Ah, 'tis you, then ! " said Coconnas. " Has that brute
of a governor visited you ? "
" Yes, and yon too, I presume ?"
" And taken everything from you ? "
" And from you too, eh ? "
" Oh, I had not much only a ring Henriette gave me."
" Have you any idea what has happened ? "
" Perfectly ; we have been betrayed."
"By whom?"
" By that scoundrelly Duke d'Ale^on. I should have
been right to twist his neck, you see."
" And do you think our position is serious ?"
" I am afraid so."
" Then we may have to anticipate the torture ?"
" I have already thought so."
" And what shall you do in that case ? "
" And you ? "
" I shall be silent," replied La Mole, with a fevered
blush, " if I can."
" And I," said Coconnas, " will tell them a few things
they do not expect."
" What things ? " asked La Mole, eagerly.
" Oh, be easy things that will prevent M. d'Alen9on
from sleeping quietly for some time."
La Mole was about to reply, when the jailer, who no
444 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
doubt heard some noise, came suddenly into the chamber,
and pushing each into his respective dungeon, locked them
in again.
CHAPTER LV.
THE FIGUEE OF WAX.
FOR a week Charles was confined to his bed by a slow
fever, interrupted by fits like epilepsy. During these at-
tacks his cries were terrible ; then, when they were over,
he sank back exhausted into the arms of his- nurse.
Henry was shut up in his chamber at the prison, and, at
his own request to Charles, no one was allowed to see him,
not even Marguerite. Catherine and D'Alen9on thought
him lost : Henry himself ate and drank more at his ease,
hoping he was forgotten. At court no one suspected the
real cause of the king's illness. Maitre Ambroise Pare
and Mazille, his colleague, believed it to be inflammation
of the coats of the stomach, and had prescribed a regimen
which aided the operation of the drink prescribed by Rene,
and which Charles received thrice a day from the hands
of his nurse ; it was the only nourishment he took.
La Mole and Coconnas were at Vincennes in close con-
finement. Marguerite and Madame de Nevers had made
several attempts to see them or to send them a letter, but
in vain.
One morning Charles felt rather better, and ordered the
court should be admitted. The doors were accordingly
opened, and it was easy to see, by his pale cheeks and the
feverish glare of his eyes, what great ravages disease had
made on the young king.
Catherine, D'AlenQon, and Marguerite were informed
that the king gave audience. They all three entered at a
short interval one after the other : Catherine calm, D'Alen-
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 445
gon smiling, Marguerite dejected : Catherine sat down
by the side of the bed. without remarking the look Charles
gave her ; D'Alengon stood at the foot ; Marguerite leaned
against a table. On seeing her brother thus worn by ill-
ness, she could not repress a sigh and a tear.
Charles, whom nothing escaped, saw the tear and heard
the sigh, and made a motion of his head to Marguerite,
unseen by all but her. This sign, slight as it was, gave
courage to the poor queen, to whom Henry had not had
time, or perhaps had not chosen, to say anything. She
feared for her husband, she trembled for her lover. For
herself she had no fear ; she knew La Mole too well not to
feel that she might fully rely upon him.
"Well, my dear son," said Catherine, "how are you
now?"
" Better, madame, better."
" And what say the physicians ?"
" Oh, my physicians, they are very clever fellows," cried
Charles, bursting into a discordant laugh ; " I have great
amusement in listening to their discussions about my
malady."
" What my brother wants," observed Frangois, " is to
take the fresh air. The chase, which he is so fond of,
would do him good."
" And yet," replied Charles, with a singular smile,
" the last did me a great deal of harm."
Then, with an inclination of his head, he signified to
the courtiers that the audience was at an end. D'Alengon
bowed and withdrew. Margaret seized Charles's wasted
hand and kissed it tenderly, then left the apartment.
" Dear Margot ! " murmured Charles.
Catherine remained ; and Charles, seeing her alone
with him, recoiled as if from a serpent. He knew to
whom and to what his death was attributable. " Why do
you stay, madame ? *' asked he with a shudder.
" I wish to speak to you of important matters, my son,"
returned Catherine.
" Speak, madame/' said Charles.
446 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Sire, yoa said just now your doctors were very
skilful."
"I say so still."
" Well I suspect that, clever as they are, they know
nothing at all about your disorder. "
" Really, madarae ? "
" And that they treat the symptoms, instead of treating
the cause."
"On my soul," replied Charles, astonished, " I think
you are right ! "
" Well, my son," continued Catherine, " as it is essential
for my happiness and for the welfare of the kingdom you
should be cured as speedily as possible, I have assembled
all the men skilled, not only in curing the diseases of the
body, but those of the mind."
" What was the result ? "
" That which I expected ; I have the remedy that will
cure not only your body, but your mind."
Charles trembled ; he thought that his mother intended
to give him a fresh poison, finding the first too slow in
operation.
" Where is this remedy ? " asked he.
" In the disease itself."
"Where is that situated ?"
"Listen, my son," said the queen* "Did you never
hear of secret enemies, who from a distance assassinate
their victim ? "
" By steel or poison ? " demanded Charles, witnout
changing the expression of his countenance.
" My son," asked the Florentine, " do you believe in
magic ? "
"Fully," returned Charles, repressing a smile of in-
credulity.
" Well, then," continued Catherine, " from magic
proceed all your sufferings. An enemy, who dared not
attack you openly, has done so in secret ; a terrible con-
Bpiracy, the more terrible that it was without accomplices,
has been directed against your majesty."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 447
"Oh, oh," said Charles.
"You doubt it, perhaps ; but I know it for a certainty. "
" I never doubt what you tell me/' replied the king,
sarcastically. "I am curious to know how they have
sought to kill me."
"By magic."
" Explain yourself."
"If the conspirator I mean, and whom your majesty
suspects already in your mind, had succeeded, there would
have been no trace, but happily your brother watched
over you."
" What brother ? "
" D'Alen9on."
"Ah ! true," said Charles, with a bitter laugh, "I for-
got I had a brother. Well, continue, madame."
" He fortunately discovered the clue to the conspir-
ator."
" Ah f I suppose you mean the King of Navarre,
mother ? " replied Charles, wishing to see how far her
dissimulation would go.
Catherine hypocritically cast down her eyes.
" I have had him arrested and sent to Vincennes for his
escapade," continued the king. "Is he more culpable
than I suspected, then ? "
"Do you feel the fever that consumes you ?" asked
Catherine.
"Yes," replied Charles, his brow darkening.
" Do yon feel the fire that burns your stomach ? "
"Aye, madame."
"Do you feel the shooting pains in your head ?"
"Yes : how exactly you understand the symptoms."
" Well, look here " And she drew from under her
mantle a little figure. The figure was of yellow wax,
abont ten inches high, clothed in a robe covered with golden
stars, also of wax, and over this a royal mantle of the
same material.
" What is this statue ? " asked Charles.
" See what it has on the head," said Catherine.
" A crown," replied Charles.
448 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS
" And in the heart "
" A needle."
Well
" Well, do yon recognize yourself ? "
" Myself ! "
" Yes, in your royal robes, with the crown on your head."
" And who made this figure ? " asked the king, weary
of the miserable farce. " The King of Navarre, of
course."
"No, sire."
" No ; then I do no't understand you."
" I say no" replied Catherine, " because you may ask
the question literally ; had you put it in a different man-
ner, I should have answered yes."
Charles made no answer.
" Sire " continued she, " this statue was found by the
attorney-general, Laguesle, in the apartment of the man
who led a horse for the King of Navarre on the day of the
hawking party."
" M. de la Mole ? "
" Himself. Now look at the needle in the heart, and
the name written on the label attached to it."
" I see an M," returned Charles.
"That means 'mort;' it is the magic formula."
" So, then, the person who seeks to kill me is M. de la
Mole ? " said Charles.
" Yes, he is the poniard ; but behind the poniard is the
hand that directs it."
" This, then, is the cause of my illness ? What must
now be done ? for you know that, unlike you, I know
nothing of charms and spells."
"The death of the conspirator destroys the charm.
Its power ceases with his life."
" Really."
" Did you not know that ? "
" I am no sorcerer."
" But now you are convinced, are you not, of the cause
of your illness ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 449
" Completely. "
" You do not say so out of complaisance ? "
" Oh, no ! from the bottom of my heart."
" Heaven be praised/' said Catherine.
" Yes, Heaven be praised/' repeated Charles, ironically.
"I know the cause of my illness, and whom to punish."
" And you will punish "
" M. de la Mole ; you say he is the guilty party."
"I say he is the instrument."
" Well, we will begin with him, and if he has an accom-
plice, he will confess."
"If he does not," muttered Catherine, " I have infal-
lible means of making him. You will then, sire, permit
the process to commence ? "
"I desire it, madame, and the sooner the better."
Catherine pressed her son's hand, not at all understand-
ing the nervous pressure with which he returned it, and
left the apartment without hearing his sardonic laugh, or
the terrible imprecation which followed that laugh. At
this moment he heard a rustling noise, and, turning
round, saw Marguerite lifting the tapestry of the door of
the nurse's apartments.
"Oh, sire, sire!" cried Marguerite, "you know what
she says is false."
" She ! Who ? " said Charles.
" Oh, Charles ! it is terrible to accuse one's mother ; I
knew she was staying only to persecute him ; but I
swear to you, by all I hold sacred, that what she says is
false."
" Whom does she persecute ?"
" Henry, your own Henry, who loves you, and is devoted
to you."
" You think so, Margot ?"
"I am sure of it."
" And so am I."
" Why, then, did you arrest him, and send him to Vin-
cennes ? " said Marguerite.
" Oh, he has singular ideas ; perhaps he is wrong,
450 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
perhaps he is right ; but he thought he should be more
safe in disgrace than in favor, at Vincennes than in the
Louvre, and so he asked me to arrest him."
"Is he safe ?"
"As safe as a man can be, for whose life Beaulieu an-
swers with his own."
" Oh, thanks ! but "
"But what?"
" There is another person in whose welfare I am in-
terested."
" Who is this person' ? "
" Sire, spare me ; I scarce dare name him to my
brother, much less to my king."
"M. de la Mole, is it not?"
" Alas ! sire, yon wished once before to kill him, and he
only escaped by a miracle."
" He had committed but one crime then, now he has
committed two."
"Ah ! he is not guilty of the second."
" But do you not know what our mother says ? "
" I have already told you what she says is false."
" Do you not know that a figure dressed in royal robes,
and pierced to the heart, has been seized at De la
Mole's ? "
" I know it, but it was the figure of a woman, not of a
man."
" And the needle"
" Was a charm to make himself beloved by a woman,
not to kill a man."
" What was the name of this woman ?"
" MARGUERITE ! " cried the queen, casting herself at
Charles's bedside, and bathing his hand with tears.
"Silence, Margot," said Charles, "you may, in your
turn, be overheard."
" Oh, no matter ! " cried the queen. " If all the world
were present to hear me, I would declare it infamous to
abuse the love of a gentleman by staining his reputation
with a charge of murder."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 451
" What if I knew the real author of the crime ? w
Brother - "
" That it was not La Mole."
"You know then - "
"The real author of the crime."
" There has been a crime committed, then ? "
" Yes/'
" Impossible ! "
" Look at me."
Marguerite obeyed, and shuddered as she saw him so
pale.
" I have not three months to live ! "
" You, my brother ! "
<e Margot, I am poisoned ! "
Marguerite screamed.
" Silence," said Charles ; " it must be thought I die by
magic."
" You know who is guilty."
" Yes."
" Who is it ? D'Alen9on ? "
" Perhaps."
" Or," Marguerite whispered, as if alarmed at what she
was going to say, "our mother ?"
Charles remained silent. Marguerite, however, read the
answer in his eye, and sank into a chair.
" My God ! " murmured she. " It is impossible ! "
"Impossible?" said Charles. "It is a pity Ren6 is
not here."
" Yes ; he would tell you all about it : 'twas a book he
lent to his mistress that was poisoned, and that has poi-
soned me. But this must be hidden from the world, and
that it may be so, it must be believed I die of magic, and
by the agency of him they accuse."
" But it is monstrous ! " exclaimed Marguerite. ." Par-
don ! pardon ! You know he is innocent ! "
" I know it, but the world must believe him guilty.
Let your lover die : his death alone can save the honor
DUMAS VOL. III. 20
452 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
of our family. I myself die that the secret may be pre-
served."
Marguerite saw her only hope lay in her own resources,
and withdrew, weeping. Meantime, Catherine had lost
not an instant, but had written to Laguesle the following
historical letter, which we give word for word, and which
throws a considerable light on this bloody drama :
" M. LE PROCUREUR, I have this evening been in-
formed for certain that La Mole has committed sacrilege ;
many ill books and papers have been found in his apart-
ments in Paris ; see, therefore, the chief president, and
inform him of the whole affair ; of the waxen figure
meant for the king, and which they have pierced to the
heart.
" CATHERINE."
CHAPTER LVI.
THE INVISIBLE BUCKLERS.
THE day after that on which Catherine had written this
letter, the governor entered Coconnas's cell with an impos-
ing cortege of two halberdiers and four black-gowned
men.
Coconnas was invited to descend into the room where
Laguesle and two judges waited to interrogate him, accord-
ing to Catherine's intructions.
Dnring the eight days he had passed in prison, Coconnas
had reflected deeply ; besides that, he and La Mole, seeing
each other daily, had agreed on the conduct they were to
pursue, which was to persist in an absolute denial, and they
were persuaded that with a little address the affair would
take a more favorable turn. Coconnas was ignorant that
Henry was in the same prison with themselves, and the
complaisance of his jailer told him that over his head there
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 453
was extended protection, which he called " invisible buck-
lers."
Up to this time, the interrogations had been confined to
the designs of the King of Navarre, his projects of flight,
and the part the two friends had borne in these projects.
Coconuas had constantly replied in a way more than vague,
and much more than adroit, and he was ready still to re-
ply in a similar manner, and had prepared beforehand all
his little repartees, when he suddenly found the object of
the interrogatory to be altered.
It was now directed to several visits made to Rene, and
one or more "waxen figures made at La Mole's instigation.
Prepared as he was, Coconnas believed that the accusation
had lost much of its intensity, since it was no longer in
reference to having betrayed a king, but to having made
a figure of a queen, and this queen not more than from
eight to ten inches high at most. He therefore replied
with much vivacity, that neither he not his friend had
played with a doll for many years ; and he saw with much
satisfaction, that his replies more than once made the
judges laugh. His interrogatory concluded, he went up
to his chamber singing so merrily, that La Mole, for whom
he made all this noise, drew from it the brightest
auguries.
La Mole was brought down from his tower, as Coconnas
had been, and saw with equal astonishment the fresh turn
which the investigation took. He was questioned as to his
visits to Rene. He replied that he had only once visited
the Florentine. Then, if he had not ordered a waxen
figure. He replied, that Ren6 had showed him such a
figure ready-made. Then he was asked if this figure did
not represent a man. He replied, that it represented a
woman. Then, if the purpose of the charm was not to
cause the death of this man. He replied that the purpose
of the charm was to cause himself to be beloved by the
woman.
These questions, put in a hundred different ways, were
always replied to by La Mole in the same manner. The
454 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
judges looked at each other with a kind of indecision, not
knowing very well what to say or do, when a note brought
to the attorney-general solved the difficulty. It was thus
couched : "It the accused denies, put him to the tort-
ure. 0."
The attorney put the note in his pocket, smiled at La
Mole, and politely dismissed him. La Mole returned to his
dungeon almost as assured, if not as joyous, as Coconnas.
" I think all will now go well," he said.
An hour afterwards, he heard footsteps, and saw a note
which was slipped under his door, without seeing the hand
that did it. He took it up with a trembling hand, and
almos died with joy as he recognized the writting.
"Courage!" said the billet. "I am watching over
you."
" Ah ! if she is watching/' cried La Mole, kissing the
billet which had touched a hand so dear, " if she is watch-
ing, I am saved ! "
It is necessary, in order that La Mole should comprehend
the purport of the note, and rely, with Coconnas, on what
the Piedmontese called his " invisible bucklers," that we
should conduct the reader to that small house, to that small
chamber, where so many tender recollections, so many
bitter feelings, were agonizing the heart of a female, lying
back on a divan covered with velvet cushions.
" To be a queen powerful, young, rich, beautiful and
suffer what I suffer ! " exclaimed she ; " oh, it is horri-
ble!"
Then, in her agitation, she rose, paced up and down,
suddenly paused, pressed her burning forehead against
the ice-cold marble, rose, pale and her face covered with
tears, wrung her hands in agony, and fell back, fainting,
into the nearest chair.
Suddenly the tapestry which separated the apartment
in the Kue Cloche-Perc6e from the apartment in the Rue
Tizon was lifted up, and the Duchess de Nevers appeared.
" Ah ! n exclaimed Marguerite, " is it you ? With what
impatience I have awaited you. Well, what news ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 455
" Bad news bad news, my dear friend ! Catherine
herself is hurrying on the trial, and is at this moment at
Vincennes."
"AndKene 1 ? w
" Is arrested."
" And our dear prisoners ? "
"The jailer informs me that they see each other daily.
The day before yesterday they were searched, and La
Mole broke your miniature to atoms rather than let them
have it."
" Dear La Mole ! "
" Annibal laughed in the teeth of the inquisitors."
" Worthy Annibal ! And what more ?"
"They were this morning interrogated as to the flight
of the king, his projects of rebellion in Navarre ; and they
said not one word."
" Oh, I knew they would keep silence ; but silence will
kill them just as much as if they spake."
" Yes, but we must save them."
"You have thought over our plan, then ?"
"I have occupied myself with it since yesterday."
"Well?"
" I have come to terms with Beaulieu. Ah, my dear
queen, what a hard and greedy man ! It will cost a man's
life and three hundred thousand crowns."
"Only the life of a man and three hundred thousand
crowns ! Why, it is nothing ! "
" Nothing ? Why, it will cost us all our jewels at
least."
" Oh, that's nothing ! The King of Navarre will pay
something, the Duke d'Alen9on pay something, my brother
Charles must pay something, or if not "
" Oh, do not trouble yourself ; I have the money, or at
least three diamonds that will produce it, and the man."
" The man ! what man ?"
" The man who must be killed, to be sure. Have you
already forgotten that there is a man to be killed ?"
" And you have found the man you wanted ? "
456 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
"Precisely so."
" At the same price ? " asked Marguerite, with a smile.
"At that price I could have found ten," replied Hen-
riette ; " no, no, for five hundred crowns/'
" Keally ! "
" Now listen ; this is the plot. The chapel is the only
place in the fortress where women not being prisoners are
admitted. We shall hide behind the altar ; under the
cloth will be laid two daggers. The door of the sacristy
will be previously opened. Coconnas will strike the jailer,
who will fall down as if dead ; we shall then appear, and
each cast a cloak over the shoulders of our friend. We
shall then fly with them by the small door of the sacristy,
and, as we shall have the password, we shall get out with-
out difficulty."
" And once out ? "
" Two horses will be in waiting at the door : they will
jump on them, leave France, and reach Lorraine, whence
they will occasionally return incognito."
" Oh, you restore me to life," said Marguerite. " Thus,
then, we shall save them."
" I feel almost confident."
" And soon ? "
" In three or four days ; Beau lieu is to let us know."
" But if you were recognized in the environs of Vin-
cennes, all our plans might be marred."
" How could any one recognize me ? I go as a nun,
with a large hood over my face ; and no one would ever
recognize the end of my nose."
" We cannot take too many precautions."
" I know that well enough, Mordi! as my poor dear
Annibal says."
" Have you any news of the King of Navarre ? "
" Yes, he was never happier, it appears laughs, sings,
and eats, drinks, and sleeps well ; all he asks is to be well
guarded."
"He is right."
" Adieu, Marguerite ! I am going to take the field
again."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 457
"Are you sure of Beaulieu ?"
" I think so."
"Of the jailer?"
" He has promised."
"Horses ?"
" The best in the Duke de Nevers* stables."
" Henriette, I adore you ! " And Marguerite threw her
arms around her friend's neck ; after which the two women
separated, promising to see each other again next day and
every day, at the same place and hour. They were the
two charming and devoted creatures whom Coconnas, with
so much reason, called the " invisible bucklers."
*
CHAPTER LVIL
THE TRIAL.
" WELL, my brave friend," said Coconnas to La Mole,
when left together at the close of their examination,
" everything seems going on as favorably as we could desire
it, and we shall ere long be at liberty."
"No doubt," answered La Mole ; "and then the com-
plaisance with which our jailers treat us abundantly proves
that our noble friends are at work for us."
"To be sure they are," rejoined Coconnas ; "and how
could a queen or a princess better employ their riches than
in procuring our freedom ? Now let us go over our les-
son a little. We are to be conducted to the chapel, where
we shall be left in charge of our turnkey ; we each of us
find a dagger concealed for our use in a spot described to
us. Well, then I manage to inflict a severe-looking, but
in reality innocent wound, on our guard, to make it ap-
pear we, being two, overpowered him. The next thing,
we barricade the door of the chapel by piling up the benches
against it, while our two princesses emerge from their hid-
ing-places behind the altar, and Henriette opens the small
side-door ! "
458 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" And, then/' exclaimed La Mole, in accents of delight,
" we rush forth, and exchange our gloomy prison for the
fine fresh air. A couple of vigorous horses are in waiting
for us ; a hasty embrace with our fair preservers, and away
we go to Lorraine. True, I could have wished to be ban-
ished to Navarre, for that is her home ; but as things are,
we must be content at Nancy, which is but fifty leagues
from Paris. "
" But what ails you, my friend ? "
" Nothing merely an idea that came across me."
" I should think not a very agreeable one, by your
becoming so pale."
"I was wondering within myself why we were taken to
the chapel at all."
" Why," said Coconnas, " to pray, of course what
else?"
"But," answered La Mole, "it i only customary for
those who have undergone the torture or are condemned
to death to pass the night in the chapel."
" Truly," replied Coconnas, becoming pale in his turn,
" this deserves our attention ; let us speak to the worthy
fellow I am to carve my name upon with my dagger.
Here, I say, turnkey ! "
" Did you call ? " said the man, who had been keeping
watch at the top of the stairs.
" We want to know whether it is not arranged for us to
escape from the chapel ? "
"Hush !" said the turnkey, looking round him with
terror.
" Don't be frightened no one can hear you; speak out."
" Yes, you will be conducted to the chapel, according
to the custom that all persons condemned to death shall
pass the night previous to their execution in prayer."
Coconnas and La Mole exchanged looks of surprise and
alarm.
"You expect, then, that we shall be condemned to
death?"
" Why, yon think so yourselves, don't you ? else why
take the trouble to make arrangements for your flight ? "
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 459
" There is reason in what he says/' said Coconnas.
" We are playing a critical game, it seems," replied La
Mole.
' ' And do I risk nothing ? " said the jailer. " Sup-
pose, in the excitement of the moment, you were to wound
me in the wrong place, strike your dagger an inch or two
deeper than you intended ! "
" Mordi! " exclaimed Coconnas, "I only wish we could
change places, and I had nothing more to fear than you
have. But hark ! I fancy some one is approaching."
" Oh, pray, pray gentlemen, get into your cells make
haste ! "
" And when will our trial take place ? "
" To-morrow at latest, but don't be uneasy ; the friends
who are interested for you shall be duly informed."
" Then let us bid adieu to each other for the present,
and to these detested walls forever ! "
The friends exchanged an affectionate embrace, and
each retired to his place of confinement La Mole sighing,
Coconnas humming an air. Nothing unusual occurred
until seven o'clock in the evening. Night descended, dark
and rainy, on the donjon of Vincennes ; just such weather
as would have favored an escape. Coconnas' supper was
brought, and eaten with his ordinary appetite ; and he had
well-nigh composed himself to sleep, while listening to
the loud murmurs of the wind, and the splashing rain as
it drove heavily against the walls, when he was roused by
a sound of persons passing to and fro from the chamber
of La Mole.
In vain did Coconnas strain his listening powers he
could distinguish nothing. The time passed on no per-
son came near him. " Strange," murmured he, " that
La Mole should receive so many visits, while I seem quite
forgotten ! perhaps La Mole felt himself suddenly taken
ill, and called out for assistance. What can it mean ? "
An hour and a half was thus consumed in vainly watch-
ing for some clearance to this mystery, and Coconnas was
beginning to feel both angry and sleepy, when the sudden
turning of the lock made him spring to his feet.
460 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" All's right," said he, mentally ; " they are coming,
no doubt, to conduct us to the chapel, without- any pre-
vious condemnation. Mordi / the night is most favorable
dark as a pit ; I only hope the horses they give us will
be able to find their way."
He was about to ask some jocular question of the turn-
key, who had by that time entered, when he observed the
man put his finger to his lips, and roll his great eyes in a
most significant manner.
Coconnas then perceived a dim outline of persons fol-
lowing the jailer, and quickly distinguished two figures
wearing helmets, on which the candle, smoking and flick-
ering in the strong current of air rushing up the staircase,
cast a reflection.
" Hallo, hallo ! " exclaimed he ; " what is the meaning
of all this ? where are we going to ? "
The jailer replied only with a sigh, which resembled a
groan.
" Follow the halberdiers, sir," said a voice, which at once
made Coconnas aware that the soldiers were accompanied by
an officer of some kind.
" And where is M. de la Mole ? " inquired the Piedmon-
tese ; " what has become of him ? "
" Follow the halberdiers ! " repeated the same voice that
had previously issued the same command.
Further remonstrance was unavailing ; without another
word, therefore, Coconnas began to descend the spiral
staircase. At the first floor the guards stopped ; the door
was opened, and a number of persons arrayed as judges and
seated in judicial order presented themselves, while in the
background Coconnas discerned the dim outline of a man
with naked arms and a look that made a cold dew start to
his forehead.
Still concealing his alarm, he entered the chamber with
an easy, degagfo air, his head thrown a little on one side,
and his hand on his hip, after the most approved manner
of court gallants. As Coconnas advanced, he perceived
La Mole sitting on a bench near the judges and officials.
The guards led Coconnas to the front of the tribunal :
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 461
arrived there, he stopped, turned round, and smilingly
nodded to La Mole ; then remained in close attention to
the proceedings of the court.
" What is your name ?" inquired the president.
" Marc Annibal de Coconnas," replied the Piedmontese,
with gentlemanly grace, " Count of Montpantier, Che-
naux, and other places ; but I presume you don't wish to
know all that."
"Where were you born?"
" At Saint Colomban, near Suza."
" How old are you ? "
" Twenty-seven years and three months."
"Good \" answered the president.
"He seems to be pleased with my account of myself,"
murmured Coconnas.
"Now, then," continued the president, "what was your
motive in quitting the service of the Duke d'Alenqon ? "
" To rejoin my friend, M. de la Mole, who, when I quitted
M. d'Alen9on, had also left him some days."
" And what were you doing when arrested, the day of
the chase at Saint-Germains ?"
" Why, hunting, of course ! " replied Coconnas.
" The king was also present at that chase, and there he
was first seized with violent illness."
" I know nothing about that ; I was not near the king
myself, and I did not even know he had been taken ill."
The judges regarded each other with an air of incre-
dulity.
" Oh ! you were ignorant of his majesty's illness, were
you?"
" Yes, completely so, and I regret to hear of it ; for
though the King of France is not my king, I still pity
him, and feel for him very much."
" Really ? "
" On my honor I do. I don't say as much for his
brother, the Duke d'Alenqon, for there, I must con-
fess
"We have nothing to do with the Duke d'Alengon ; our
business is with his majesty "
462 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
" Whose very humble servant I have already told you I
am/' answered Coconnas.
" Then, being his servant, as you say, be pleased to tell
us what you know relative to a certain wax figure."
" Oh ! what, we are going over that story again, are we?
" If you have no objection/'
" Pardi ! I on the contrary, I prefer it go on."
" How came this statue to be found in M. de la Mole's
possession ? "
" M. de la Mole's ! No, no, you mean in Rent's posses-
sion."
" Then you acknowledge the existence of such an
image ?"
" I don't know whether it exists or not I could tell you
better if I saw it."
" Here it is. Is it the one you have previously seen ? "
"It is."
" Write down," said the judge, " that the accused recog-
nizes the statue as the one he has heretofore seen in the
possession of M. de la Mole."
"No, no, no!" interposed Coconnas, "do not let us
mistake one another ; write that I say it is the same figure
I saw at Rene's."
" Well, be it so at Renews, and on what day ? "
" The only day La Mole and myself ever were at Rent's.
" You admit, then, having been there with M. de la
Mole?"
" Why, I never denied it, did I ?"
" Write down that the accused admits having gone to
Rene's to work certain charms and conjurations "
" Stop, if you please, M. le President, and moderate
your enthusiasm a little I said no such thing."
" You deny having gone to Rene's house, for the sake
of charms and magical purposes ? "
" I do ; the conjuration that took place was by chance,
and wholly unpremeditated."
" But still it took place ? "
*' Certainly ; I cannot deny that something resembling
the working of a charm did occur."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 463
" Write down that the accused admits having gone to
Rene's for the sake of obtaining a charm against the king's
life."
" The king's life ! " exclaimed Coconnas ; "'tis a base
lie ; no such charm was ever made or sought for."
" There, gentlemen ! " said La Mole, " you hear ! " .
" Silence ! " vociferated the president ; then, turning
towards the clerk, he said, " Against the king's life. Have
you written it ? "
"No, no!" cried Coconnas, "I said no such thing,
and then the figure is not that of a man, but of a
woman."
"What did I tell you, gentlemen ?" inquired La Mole.
" M. de la Mole," said the president, " reply when you
are questioned, but do not interrupt the interrogatory of
others."
" You say that the figure is that of a female ?" resumed
the judge.
" Of course I do."
" Why, then, does it wear a royal crown and mantle ? "
"'Pardieu I for a very simple reason because the figure
was meant for "
Here La Mole rose, and placed a finger on his lips.
"True!" said Coconuas, "I was beginning to relate
matters with which these gentlemen have nothing at all
to do."
" You persist, then, in your assertion, that this waxen
image was intended to represent a woman ?"
" Certainly, I do persist in stating the truth."
"And you refuse to say who the woman was ?"
" A female in my own country," said La Mole, " whom
I loved, and by whom I was desirous of being beloved."
" You are not the person interrogated, M. de la Mole,"
exclaimed the president ; "either be silent, or I shall be
obliged to have you gagged."
" Gag a gentleman, and my friend, merely for speaking
can it be possible that I hear aright ? for shame ! for
shame !"
" Bring in Kene ! " said the attorney-general.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Yes, yes, by all means, fetch Rene," said Coconnas,
"fetch him, pray ; we shall soon see who is right then."
Rene entered, pale, shrunken, and so altered, that the
two young men seemed scarce to recognize him. The
wretched old man appeared more conscience-stricken and
bowed down by the weight of the crime he was about to
commit, than by those he had already perpetrated.
" Maitre Ren6 !" said the judge, "do you know the
two accused persons here present ? "
" I do," answered Ren, in a voice which betrayed his
emotion.
" As having seen them where ? "
"In various places, but more especially at my own
house."
" How frequently at your house ? "
" Only once."
As Rene proceeded, the countenance of Coconnas grew
brighter ; La Mole, on the contrary, as though warned by
some presentiment of evil, looked graver than before.
" And on what occasion did they pay you a visit ? "
Rene seemed to hesitate a moment, then said :
" To order me to make a small waxen figure."
" Maitre Ren6," interrupted Coconnas, " permit me to
tell you, you are making a little mistake."
" Silence, I command ! " cried the president ; then,
turning towards Rene, he said, " and pray was this figure
to represent a man or woman ? "
" A man ! " answered Ren6.
Coconnas sprung up as though he had received an elec-
tric shock. " A man, do you say ? " asked he.
" A man ! " responded Rene, but in so feeble a voice that
the president could scarcely hear him.
" And why was this statue clad in a royal mantle, with
a crown on its head ? "
" Because," replied Rene, "it represented a king."
" Infamous liar ! " cried Coconnas," perfectly infuriated.
"Hold your peace, Coconnas," interposed La Mole,
"every man has a right to sell his soul his own way; let
the wretched being say what he chooses."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 465
" Aye, but he has no right to destroy the bodies of others
while he barters his own soul ! " answered Coconnas.
"And what is the signification of the needle found
sticking in the heart of the image, with a small banner
bearing the letter m at the end ? "
" The needle is emblematical of the sword or dagger, and
the letter m stands for mart."
Coconnas sprung forward as though to strangle Rene, but
was held back by the guards.
" That will do ! " said the officer ; " the tribunal is in
possession of all it desires to know. Let the prisoners be
re-conducted to the waiting-room."
" But," exclaimed Coconnas, " it is quite impossible to
hear one's self accused of such crimes without protesting
against them."
" Protest as much as you like, gentlemen, no person
hinders you. Guards, take the prisoners away."
The officials seized upon La Mole and Coconnas, and led
them away, each by a separate door. The attorney-general
then signed to the man with bare arms, whom Coconnas
had observed on entering, and said :
" Do not go away, my good fellow, there will be work
for you ere the night is over."
" Which shall I begin with ? "said the man, respectfully
raising his cap.
" With that one ! " answered the president, pointing to
La Mole, whose shadow could just be discerned between
his two guards ; then, approaching Rene, who stood in trem-
bling expection of being ordered back to his place of con-
finement in the Chatelet : " You have well spoken, my
friend ; be under no alarm, both the king and the queen
shall be made acquainted that it is to you they will be in-
debted for coming at the real truth of this affair."
But this promise, instead of inspiring Rene with fresh
hope, seemed but to augment his alarm, and he replied
only by a deep sigh, almost resembling the groan of one
in pain.
466 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
CHAPTEK LVIII.
THE TORTURE OF THE BOOT.
IT was only when again conducted to his chamber, and
the door secured on him, that Coconnas, no longer sus-
tained by the altercation with the judges, fell into a train
of reflections.
" It seems to me," thought he, " matters are going
against us. They really wish to cut off our heads. I
think it is time to go to the chapel."
These words, pronounced in a low tone, were cut short
by a cry so shrill, so piercing, that it seemed impossible
it could proceed from a human being, for it penetrated
through the thick wall, and vibrated against the iron bars.
Coconnas shuddered with terror, although he was so
brave that his courage was nearly allied to that of wild
beasts. He stood motionless, doubting whether what he
had beard was not the wind, when he heard it again ; and
this time he was convinced not only that the voice was
human, but that it was the voice of La Mole. At this
voice, the Piedmontese forgot he was himself a prisoner
confined by two doors, three gates, and a wall twelve feet
thick ; he rushed forward, crying, " They are murdering
some one here ! "
But he encountered the wall so violently, that the shock
threw him back on a stone bench.
" Oh, they have killed him ! " repeated he ; " it is
abomim ble, and without arms/'
He looked about on every side for a weapon.
At this moment the door opened, and the same voice
that had been before so disagreeable to him, said :
" Come, sir, the court attends you."
" Good I " said Coconnas 3 " to hear my sentence, I
suppose."
" Yes, sir."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 467
"I breathe again go on, sir." And he followed the
officer, who marched in front, his black wand in his hand.
Spite of his expressed satisfaction, Coconnas glanced
anxiously on either side. " Oh," murmured he/ * I do not
see my worthy jailer ; I wish he was here."
On entering the chamber, Coconnas perceived the at-
torney-general, who had conducted the prosecution with
most palpable animosity, for Catherine had charged him
to carry on the affair earnestly. A curtain was drawn
back, and exposed the recesses of this chamber ; so terri-
ble were these recesses, thus lighted up, that Coconnas felt
his knees tremble, and he exclaimed, " Oh, mon Dieu ! "
The sight before him was indeed alarming. The por-
tion of the apartment which had been concealed during
the examination by a curtain, now raised, seemed like the
vestibule of hell. " Oh I" said Coconnas, "the chamber
of torture is prepared, and only awaits the victim. What
does this mean ? "
" Kneel down, M. Annibal de Ooconnas," thundered a
voice ; "kneel down, and hear your sentence."
And before he had time even to collect his thoughts,
two strong hands laid hold of him, and forced him to his
knees.
The voice continued : " Sentence of the court sitting at
Vincennes on Marc Annibal de Coconnas, accused and
convicted of the crime of high treason, of an attempt to
poison, of sacrilege and magic against the person of the
king, of a conspiracy against the state, and of having
driven a prince of the blood into rebellion by his perni-
cious counsels."
At each fresh charge, Coconnas kept shaking his head
very determinately.
The judge continued : " In consequence of which, the
aforesaid Marc Annibal de Coconnas will be taken from
prison to the Place St.-Jean-en-Greve, to be there de-
capitated, his property confiscated, his woods cut down,
his chateaux destroyed ; and a post, with a copper-plate
bearing an inscription recording his crime and punish-
ment, planted there."
468 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" As for my head," said Coconnas, " that I know is in
jeopardy ; but as for my woods and chateaux, I do not
fear for them in the least, and I defy all your hatchets and
pickaxes to harm them."
" Silence ! " said the jud^e, and he continued :
" And, moreover, the aforesaid Cocoiinas "
" What ! " interrupted Coconnas, " will they do any-
thing more after cutting my head off ? that is very
cruel!"
" No, monsieur," replied the judge, " before."
He continued : " And the aforesaid Coconnas will un-
dergo, before the execution of this sente ce, the extraor-
dinary question, consisting of ten wedges."
Coconnas sprang to his feet, fixing ' is eyes with a
withering expression on his judges. " For w^at? " cried he.
This torture was, in reality, ruin to Coconnas' hopes.
He would not be taken to the chapel until after the tor-
ture, and the torture often occasioned death ; fo i< was
held to be a proof of cowardice to confess, and the torture
was therefore the more severe in proportion to the patient's
obstinacy.
The judge made no reply, but continued. " In order to
compel the aforesaid Coconnas to avow who were his ac-
complices."
" Mordi !" cried Coconnas, "this is infamous this is
cowardice ! "
The judge, accustomed to the indignant protestation..
of the victims, made a sign. Coconnas, oci/ed by the legs
and arms, was overpowered and bound to tue rack, before
he could even see who were the authors of f his violence.
" Wretches ! " shouted Coconnas, straining the cords
that bound him so violently, that his tormentors retreated
in alarm. " Cowards ! do your worst ; I defy you to ex-
tract one word from me. It is not the torture that can
make one of my race speak."
" Greffier, prepare to write," said the judge.
" Yes, prepare to write," cried Coconnas ; " and if you
write all I tell you, yon scoundrel, you will have something
to do."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 469
" Will you confess ? " asked the judge.
" Never !"
" You had better reflect whilst it is yet time. Execu-
tioner, make ready. "
At these words, a man holding a cord in his hand ad-
vanced towards him. It was Maitre Caboche. Caboche,
without moving a muscle of his face, or affecting to rec-
ognize Coconnas, placed two planks between his legs,
then two more outside, and bound them together with a
cord.
This formed what was called the " boot."
In the "ordinary" question, six wedges were used,
which crashed the flesh : in the " extraordinary "question
ten were employed, which not only crushed the flesh, but
broke the bones also.
Maitre Caboche introduced the wedge between the
planks, and then, with his mallet in his hand, looked at
the judge.
" Will you confess ? " asked the latter.
" Never ! " returned Coconnas, although he felt a cold
damp all over his brow.
" Proceed," said the judge.
Caboche raised his heavy mallet, and struck a tremen-
dous blow on the wedge. Coconnas did not utter the
slightest sound at this first wedge, which usually extorted
a groan from the most resolute. On the contrary, his
countenance expressed the greatest wonder, and he gazed
in astonishment at Caboche, who, his arm raised, stood
ready to repeat the blow.
" What was your intention in concealing yourself in the
forest ?" demanded the judge.
" To enjoy the fresh air."
" Proceed," said the judge.
Caboche struck again. Coconnas did not stir, but kept
his eyes fixed on the executioner with the same expression
of surprise. The judge frowned.
" He is indeed determined ! " muttered he ; " has the
wedge entered, maitre ?"
Caboche stooped, as if to examine it, and whispered
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Coconnas, " Cry out ! cry out 1" Then rising, "Up to
the head, sir," said he to the judge.
" Second wedge I" was the reply.
The words of Caboche explained all to Coconnas ; the
worthy executioner was rendering him the greatest service
in his power : he was sparing him not only pain, but,
moreover, the shame of a confession, by driving, in place
of oak wedges, wedges of leather, with the top only of
wood ; and further, he thus left him all his strength to
mount the scaffold manfully.
" Oh, excellent Caboche ! " muttered Coconnas, " fear
nothing ; I will cry out loud enough."
Caboche had introduced a second wedge, larger than the
first, and, at a sign from the judge, struck as if he were
going to demolish the donjon of Vincennes at a blow.
"Ah! ah! hou ! hou!" roared Coconnas, "you are
breaking my bones ! "
" Ah," said the judge, " the second seems to take effect.
What were you doing in the forest ? "
" I have already told you."
" Proceed."
" Confess," whispered Caboche.
"What?"
"Anything only confess."
And he dealt another blow on the wedge.
"Oh, oh!" cried Coconnas, "you wish to know by
whose order I was in the forest ? "
" Yes."
" By the order of M. d'Alei^on."
" Write that," said the judge.
" If I laid a snare for the King of Navarre," continued
Coconnas, "I only obeyed my master's orders."
" Ah, you denounced me, tallow-face ! " thought Cocon-
nas ; " I will be even with you."
And he related all the visits of Franqois to the King of
Navarre, the interviews between De Mouy and D'Alen9on,
and the history of the red mantle. He gave precise, ter-
rible, incontestable evidence againct "O'Alenpon, making
it seem all the while as though his statements were only
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 471
extorted from him by the pain, he yelled, screamed, and
foamed so naturally ; and the judge at last became terri-
fied himself at having to record details that so fearfully
compromised a prince of the blood.
" Ah/' said Caboche, " this gentleman gives the greffier
enough to do. What would he have said, if the wedges
had been of wood ? "
The judge retired, excusing Coconnas the other wedges
in consequence of his confession, and Caboche was left
alone with Coconnas.
" Well/' said he, "how do you find yourself, sir ?"
" Ah, excellent Caboche, I will never forget what you
have done for me ! "
" You are right ; for if they knew what I have done for
you, I should soon take your place, and they would not
amuse me with leathern wedges."
" But how came you to think "
" I will tell you/' said Caboche, twisting, for the sake
of appearances, bandages of bloody linen about Coconnas'
legs ; " I knew you were arrested, that Queen Catherine
wished to kill you, and I guessed you would be put to the
question, and I took my measures accordingly."
" At the risk of what might happen to yourself ? "
" Sir/' replied Caboche, " you are the only gentleman
who has ever given me his hand, and I wished to prove to
you that, executioner as I am, I have a heart : you shall
see how I will perform my office to-morrow/'
"To-morrow?"
"Yes."
" What office ? "
Caboche stared.
" Have you forgotten the sentence ? "
" Ah, true, I had forgotten all about that."
He had not forgotten it, but he was thinking of the
chapel, the knife concealed beneath the napkin, of Henri-
ette and the queen, of the door of the sacristry, the two
horses that awaited them ; of liberty, of the fresh air, and
happiness and security beyond the bounds of France.
"Now," said Caboche, " I must get you from the rack
172 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
to the litter. Do not forget both your legs -are broken,
and that the least movement pains you."
" Ah ! oh ! " cried Coconnas, as the two assistants
advanced.
"Take courage/' said Caboche ; "if you cry so now,
what will you do presently ? "
" Maitre Caboche," replied Coconnas, " I pray you lift
me yourself, as I do not wish your two estimable acolytes
to touch me."
" Place the litter near the rack/' said Caboche.
The two assistants obeyed.
Caboche then raised Coconnas in his arms as if he had
been an infant, and placed him on the litter.
The jailer then appeared with a lantern.
" To the chapel," said he.
The bearers and Coconnas started, after Coconnas had
again given his hand to Caboche.
The former grasp had been too useful to him not to in-
duce him to repeat it.
CHAPTER LIX.
THE CHAPEL.
THE mournful cortege crossed, in perfect silence, the
two drawbridges of the fortress and the courtyard which
leads to the chapel, through the windows of which a pale
light colored the figures of the men in red robes.
Coconnas eagerly breathed the night air, although it
was heavy with rain. He looked at the darkness, and re-
joiced to sev3 that everything conspired to favor the flight
of himself and his companion. On entering the chapel
he saw in the choir, and at three paces from the altar, a
mass of something wrapped in a large white mantle. It
was La Mole.
" Since we are once more reunited," said Coconnas,
in a voice of affected languor, " carry me to my friend."
La Mole was gloomy and pale ; his head reclined
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 473
against the marble wall, and his black hair, bathed with pro-
fuse perspiration, which gave to his countenance the pale-
ness of ivory, seemed to have preserved the form it had
assumed after having been stiffened on his head with the
pain.
On a signal from the turnkey, the two valets went to seek
the priest whom Coconnas had asked for.
This was the signal agreed upon.
Coconnas followed them with his eyes with anxiety ; but
his was not the only ardent look fixed on them. Scarcely
had they disappeared than two women rushed from behind
the altar, and hastened rapidly towards the choir.
Marguerite hurried towards La Mole and seized him in
her arms. La Mole uttered a piercing shriek one of
those cries which Coconnas had heard in his dungeon.
" Mon Dieu ! what ails thee, dear La Mole ? " in-
quired Marguerite. " Oh, Heaven ! you are all blood ! "
Coconnas, who had also rushed towards the altar, taken
up the dagger, and had his arm round Henriette's waist,
turned suddenly.
" Get up/' said Marguerite ; " get up, I entreat you !
You see the moment has arrived/'
A terrible smile of grief passed over La Mole's pale lips,
which seemed as though they would never smile again.
"Beloved queen !" said the young man, "you have
calculated without Catherine, and consequently without
a crime. I have been put to the torture ; my bones are
broken, all my body is one wound, and the effort I make
at this moment to press my lips upon your forehead causes
me agony worse than death."
And as he spoke, with great exertion, and ghastly pale,
La Mole pressed his lips on the queen's brow.
"Torture !" cried Coconnas ; "and so did I undergo
it. But the executioner, then, did not do for you what
he did for me ? " And Coconnas told all.
" Ah ! " replied La Mole, " that is easily explained.
You gave him your hand on the day of our visit ; I forgot
that all men were brothers, and was disdainful. God
punishes me for my pride. God be praised 1 "
474 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
La Mole clasped his hands. Coconnas and the two
ladies exchanged a look of indescribable horror.
" Come, come," said the jailer, who had been to the
door to listen, and had returned ; " come along I Do not
lose any time, my dear M. de Coconnas. Give me my blow
with the dagger, and manage it like a worthy, kind gentle-
man, for they will soon be here."
Marguerite was kneeling beside La Mole, like one of the
reclining figures on a monument.
" Come, my dear friend," said Coconnas ; " courage !
I am strong, and will carry you. I can place you on your
horse, or hold you on my own, if you could keep yourself
erect in the saddle. Come, let us go let us go ! You
understand what the good fellow says : our lives are at
stake."
La Mole made a superhuman, a sublime effort.
"True," he said, "your life is at stake," and he tried
to rise.
Annibal placed his arms under him and raised him up.
La Mole, during this time, had only uttered a low moan-
ing ; but at the moment when Coconnas let him go, to speak
to the turnkey, and when the sufferer was no longer sup-
ported but by the arms of two women, his legs bent under
him, and in spite of Marguerite's efforts, the tears gushing
from her, he fell like a mass, and the piercing shriek he
could no longer repress made the chapel echo through
all its gloomy vaults.
"You see," said La Mole, in an agony of distress ; " you
see, my beloved, so leave me leave me with one last adieu.
I have not revealed one word, Marguerite. Your secret
is enveloped in my love, and will die with me. Adieu,
dearest, adieu ! "
Marguerite, almost lifeless herself, threw her arms round
that dear and beautiful head, and imprinted on his brow
a kiss that was almost holy.
" You, Annibal," said La Mole ; " you who have been
spared these agonies, who are young and may escape, fly,
fly I my dearest friend, and give me the consolation, when
dying, to know that you are in safety."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 475
" The hour is passing," exclaimed the jailer. " Come,
gentlemen, make haste ! "
Henriette endeavored to lead Annibal gently away ;
whilst Marguerite was on her knees before La Mole, her
hair dishevelled, and eyes overflowing with tears.
" Fly, Annibal 1 " repeated La Mole ; " fly, and do not
afford our enemies the joyful spectacle of the death of two
innocent men."
Coconnas quietly disengaged himself from Henriette,
who was leading him to the door, and with a gesture so
solemn that it was majestic, said :
" Madame, first give the five hundred crowns we have
promised to this man/'
" Here they are," said Henriette.
Then, turning towards La Mole and shaking his head
sorrowfully, he said :
" As for you, La Mole, yon have done me an injury, by
thinking for one moment that I would quit you. Have I
not sworn to live and die with you ? But you are so great
a sufferer, that I forgive you."
And he seated himself with a resolute air near his friend,
towards whojn he leaned his head, and whose forehead he
touched with his lips.
Then he drew gently, gently as a mother would a child,
the head of his dear friend towards him, until it glided
from the wall, and reposed itself calmly on his breast.
Marguerite was gloomy : she had picked up the poniard
which Coconnas had let fall.
" Oh, my beloved one 1 " cried La Mole, extending his
hands as he comprehended her purpose, " do not forget
that I die in order to destroy the slightest suspicion of
our love."
" "What, then, can I do for you," exclaimed Marguerite,
in despair, " if I must not die with you ?"
" You may," replied La Mole; "you may render my
death sweet, and so that I may in a manner meet it with
a smile."
Marguerite clasped her hands, and looked inquiringly
at him.
DUMAS VOL. III. 21
476 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Do you remember the evening, Marguerite, when in
exchange for the life I offered you then, and to-day lay
down for you, you made me a secret promise ? "
Marguerite started.
" Ah, you do remember ! " said La Mole, " for you
shudder."
"Yes, yes, I remember/' said Marguerite; "and on
my soul, Hyacinthe, I will keep that promise."
Marguerite extended her hand towards the altar, as if a
second time to call on God to witness her oath.
La Mole's face lighted up as if the vaulted roof of the
chapel had opened.
" They are coming ! " exclaimed the jailer.
Marguerite uttered a cry, and hastened towards La
Mole, but for fear of increasing his agony, she paused all
trembling before him.
Henriette pressed her lips on (Joconnas* brow, and said
to him :
" Dearest Annibal, I understand you, and I am proud of
you. I know the heroism that makes you die, and I love
you for that heroism. Before God, I will always love you
more than anything living ; and what Marguerite has
sworn to do for la Mole (although I know not what it is)
I will also do for you."
And she held out her hand to Marguerite.
" Well said : now heaven be with you ! " replied Co-
connas.
" Before yon leave me, dearest," said La Mole, " one
last favor ; give me some last souvenir, that I may kiss it
as I mount the scaffold. "
" Ah, yes," cried Marguerite, " here, take this ! " and
she untied from her neck a small reliquary of gold, fast-
ened to a chain of the same metal.
" Here," she said, " is a holy relic which I have worn
from my childhood ; my mother put it round my neck
when I was very little and she still loved me. It was
given by our uncle, Pope Clement, and has never quitted
me. Take it ! "
La Mole took it, and kissed it eagerly.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 477
" They are opening the door," said the jailer. " Fly,
ladies, fly ! "
The two women hastened behind the altar, and disap-
peared at the moment the priest entered.
CHAPTER LX.
THE PLACE SAIlST-JEAN-Ellir-GBEVE.
IT was seven o'clock in the morning, and the crowd was
waiting, dense and riotous, in the squares, the streets, and
the quays.
At six o'clock in the morning a tumbril, the same in
which the two friends after their duel had been conveyed
half dead to the Louvre, had quitted Vincennes, crossed
the Rue Saint Antoine slowly, and on its route, the spec-
tators, so huddled together that they crushed one another,
seemed like statues, with their eyes fixed and their months
open in wonderment.
There was this day a heart-rending spectacle offered
by the queen-mother to all the people of Paris.
In the tumbril we have mentioned as making its slow
way from Vincennes, were lying on some straw two young
men, bareheaded and entirely clothed in black, leaning
against each other. Coconnas supported on his knees La
Mole, whose head hung over the sides of the tumbril, and
whose eyes wandered vaguely around him.
The crowd, eager to stare with greedy gaze, even to the
bottom of the vehicle, pressed, drove, heaved, lifted itself
upon stones, clung to angles of jfche walls, and appeared
satisfied when it contrived to gain a look at the two
bodies which were going from suffering to destruction.
It was rumored that La Mole would die without having
confessed one of the charges imputed to him ; whilst, on
the contrary, Coconnas, it was asserted, could not endure
the torture, and had disclosed everything.
So there were cries on all sides :
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Look at the red-haired one ! It was he who con-
fessed ! It was he who owned everything ! He is the
coward who caused the death of the other, who is a brave
fellow, and would not confess anything ! "
The two young men perfectly understood this ; the one
the praises, and the other the reproaches, which accom-
panied their funeral march ; and whilst La Mole pressed
the hands of his friend, a sublime expression of disdain
overspread the features of the Piedmontese, who from the
foul tumbril gazed on the stupid mob as if he were look-
ing down from a triumphal car.
Misfortune had done its heavenly work ; had ennobled
the countenance of Coconnaa, as death was about to render
divine his soul.
" Are we nearly there ? " asked La Mole ; " for I can
endure this no longer, my dear friend, and I feel as if
I should faint."
" Eouse thee rouse thee, La Mole ! We arfl passing
by the Eue Tizon and the Hue Cloche-Percee. Look,
look!"
" Oh, raise me raise me, that I may once again be-
hold that blissful abode ! "
Coconnas touched the executioner on the shoulder, as
he sat on the tumbril and drove the horse.
" Maitre," he said, "do us the kindness to pause a mo-
ment in front of the Eue Tizon."
Caboche bowed his head in token of assent, and stopped.
La Mole raised himself with a vast effort, aided by Co-
connas, and gazed, with tearful eyes, at the small house,
now closed and silent as the tomb : a groan burst from
his overcharged breast, and he said, in a low voice :
" Adieu, adieu youth, love, life ! "
And his head fell on his breast.
" Courage," said Coconnas ; " we may, perchance find
all this above ! "
"Do you think so ?" murmured La Mole.
" I think so, because the priest told me so, and more
especially because I hope so. But do not faint, my dear
friend, or these wretches will laugh at us."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 4.79
Caboche heard these last words, and, whipping his horse
with one hand, he extended the other unseen by any one
to Coconnas. It contained a small sponge saturated
with a powerful stimulant, which after having smelt and
rubbed over his brow, La Mole felt himself revived and
reanimated, and he kissed the reliquary suspended from
his neck.
When they reached the quay they saw the scaffold, which
was elevated considerably above the ground.
" My friend," said La Mole, " 1 would fain die first."
Coconnas again touched the headsman's shoulder.
" Maitre," said Coconnas, " my friend has suffered more
than I have, and he says he should suffer all the more to
see me die first ; and if I were to die before him, he would
have no one to support him on the scaffold."
"Good, good !" said Caboche, wiping away a tear with
the back of his hand ; " be easy, it shall be as you desire."
" And with one blow, eh ? " said the Piedmontese, in a
low tone.
"Yes, with one blow !"
" 'Tis well!"
The tumbril stopped. They had arrived. Coconnas
put on his hat.
A murmur like that of the waves of the sea reached the
ears of La Mole. He tried to rise, but his strength failed
him, and Caboche and Coconnas were compelled to sup-
port him under his arms.
The place was paved with heads, and the steps of the
Hotel de Ville seemed an amphitheater peopled with spec-
tators ; each window was filled with animated countenances.
When they saw the handsome young man who could no
longer support himself on his legs, bruised and broken,
make an effort to reach the scaffold, a vast sound was
heard, like a cry of universal desolation ; the men groaned,
and the women uttered plaintive sighs.
" He was one of the grandest dons at the court," said
one.
" How handsome he is ! How pale he looks ? " said the
women. " He is the one who would not confess !"
480 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" My dearest friend," said La Mole, " I cannot support
myself. Carry me ! "
" Stay a moment," replied Coconnas.
He made a sign to the executioner, who moved aside ;
then, stooping, he lifted La Mole in his arms as if he had
been an infant, and went up the steps to the scaffold with
unfaltering foot, bore his burden firmly on to the platform,
and put him down amidst the shoutings and applause of
the vast multitude.
Coconnas returned the greeting by raising his hat from
his head, and then threw it down on the scaffold beside
him.
"Look round," said La Mole; "do you see them any-
where ? "
Coconnas glanced deliberately around him and, when his
eyes reached a certain spot, paused. Then, without remov-
ing his look, he touched his friend on the shoulder, say-
ing :
" Look, look, at the window of that little tower !"
With his other hand he pointed out to La Mole the
small building which still exists at the coroer of the Kne
de la Vannerie and the Eue Monton a remnant of past
ages. Two females, clothed in black, were leaning on
each other, somewhat retired from the window.
"Ah ! " said La Mole, "I had but one fear, and that
was to die without again seeing her. I have beheld her
again, and now I can die."
And, with his eyes steadfastly fixed on the small window,
he lifted the reliquary to his lips, and covered it with
kisses.
Coconnas saluted the two women with as much grace as
if he were in a drawing-room, and they replied to the two
devoted men by shaking their handkerchiefs bathed in
tears.
Caboche then touched Coconnas on his shoulder, and
looking at him very significantly, the Piedmontese re-
plied :
" Yes, yes."
Then, turning to La Mole, he said to him :
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 481
" One last embrace, dear friend, and die like a man !
That, beloved La Mole, will be no hardship for you, who
are so brave."
" Ah," replied La Mole, " there will be no merit in me
to die well, suffering the torments I do."
The priest approached, and extended the crucifix to La
Mole, who smiled, and pointed to the reliquary he held in
his hand.
" No matter," replied the priest, " still pray for strength
from Him who suffered what you are about to suffer."
La Mole kissed the feet of the crucifix.
" I am ready," said La Mole.
" Can you hold your head upright?" asked Caboche,
coming with his drawn sword behind La Mole, who was
now on his knees.
" I hope so," was the reply.
" Then all will go well."
" But you," said La Mole, " will not forget what I re-
quested of you ; this reliquary will open the doors for
you."
" Make yourself quite easy ; and now try and hold your
head perfectly straight."
La Mole held his neck erect, and looking towards the
little tower, said :
" Adieu, Marguerite ! bless "
He could not finish ; with one stroke of his keen and
flashing sword, Caboche severed from the body the head
of La Mole, which rolled to Coconnas' feet.
The body fell gently back, as if going to rest.
" Thanks, good friend, thanks," said Coconnas, extend-
ing his hand for the third time to the executioner.
One cry arose from the lips of a thousand human beings ;
and amongst them, Coconnas fancied he heard a shriek
more piercing than all the rest.
" My son," said the priest to Coconnas, " have you noth-
ing you would confess to God ? "
" Mafoi! no father," replied the Piedmontese, "all I
had to say, I said yesterday to you."
Then, turning to Caboche, he said :
4:82 MAEGUEEITE DE VALOIS.
" Now then, headsman, my last friend, one more ser-
vice!"
Before he knelt, he turned on the multitude a look so
calm, so full of resignation, that a murmur of admiration
came to soothe his ear and flatter his pride. Then, taking
in his hands the head of his dear friend, and impressing a
last kiss on the purple lips, he gave one more look towards
the little tower, and kneeling down, still holding the be-
leved head in his hands, he cried : " Now ! "
He had scarcely uttered the word than Caboche, with a
sweep of his arm, had cut his head from his body.
" It is time it was all over," said the worthy creature,
trembling all over, " poor, poor fellow ! "
He took with some difficulty from the clenched fingers
of La Mole the reliquary of gold, and threw his cloak over
the sad remains, which the tumbril had yet to convey to
his sinister abode.
The spectacle was over : the crowd dispersed.
CHAPTER LXI.
THE HEADSMAN'S TOWER.
NIGHT spread her mantle over the city, still shuddering
tinder the recollection of this spectacle, the details of
which passed from mouth to mouth and made sorrowful
each family repast.
In contrast to the city, which was silent and mournful,
the Louvre was joyous, noisy, and illuminated. There
was a grand fe'te at the palace a fete commanded by
Charles IX. ; a f6te, which he had ordered for that even-
ing at the same time he had ordered the execution for
the morning.
The Queen of Navarre had received on the previous
evening the king's orders to be present, and in the hope
that La Mole and Coconnas would escape in the night, in
consequence of all measures being taken for their safety,
she had promised her brother to comply with his desire.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
But when she had lost all hope, after the terrible scene
in the chapel after she had, from a last impulse of that
deep love which was the most decided and enduring of her
life, been present at the execution, she had firmly resolved
that neither prayers nor threats should compel her to go to a
boisterous festival at the Louvre the same day on which
she had witnessed so terrible a scene at the Gr^ve.
The king had on this day exhibited another proof of
that power of will, which no one, perhaps, ever displayed
more energetically than Charles IX.
In bed for a fortnight, weak as a dying man, ghastly as
a corpse, he yet arose at five o'clock, and was attired in his
gayest habiliments, although during his toilette he had
fainted three times.
About eight o'clock he inquired after his sister, if any
one had seen her, and if they knew where she was. No
one could answer satisfactorily, for the queen had gone to
her apartments about eleven o'clock, and refused admit-
tance to everybody.
But there was no refusal for Charles. Leaning on the
arm of M. de Nancey, he proceeded to the Queen of
Navarre's apartments and entered suddenly by the secret
door.
Although he expected a melancholy sight, and had pre-
pared for it, that which he beheld was even more distress-
ing than he had anticipated.
Marguerite, half dead, was lying on a sofa, her head
buried in the cushions, neither weeping nor praying ; ever
since her return she had been groaning in bitterest anguish.
At the other corner of the chamber, Henriette de Nevers,
that daring bold woman, lay stretched on the carpet, with-
out consciousness.
Charles desired Nancey to await him in the corridor, and
entered, pale and trembling.
Neither of the women saw him : (rillonne, alone, who
was at the moment endeavoring to revive Henriette, rose
on her knee and looked terrified at the king, who made a
sign with his hand, whereupon she rose, curtseyed rever-
entially, and retired.
484 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
Charles then approached Marguerite, looked at her for
a moment in silence, and then in a tone of which his harsh
voice might have been thought incapable, said :
" Mar got, my sister ! "
The queen started, and turned round.
" Your majesty ? " she said.
" Come, come, sister dear, rouse yourself."
Marguerite raised her eyes to heaven.
" Yes," said Charles ; "I know all but listen to me."
The queen made a sign that she listened.
" You promised me to come to the ball," said Charles.
"I ?" exclaimed Marguerite.
" Yes : and after your promise, you are expected ; and
therefore, if you do not come, everybody will be surprised
at not seeing you."
"Excuse me, brother," replied Marguerite; "you see
how very ill I am."
"Exert yourself."
Marguerite endeavored for a moment to summon courage
and then suddenly giving way again, sank on her sofa.
" No, no, I cannot go," she said.
Charles took her hand, seated himself beside her on the
sofa and said :
4t You have just lost a dear friend, Margot, I know full
well. But look at me have not I lost all my friends, and,
moreover, my mother ? You have time to bewail as you
now do ; but I, at the moment of my severest grief-, <tm
always forced to smile yon suffer, but look at me ! I am
dying. Well, then, Margot, rouse thee ; courage, girl 1
I ask thee, sister, for our name's honor. 'Tis an agony that
we bear for the sake of our house : let us bear it, then, let
us bear it, my beloved sister,courageously and resignedly."
" Oh, mon Dieu, mon Dieu!" exclaimed Marguerite.
" Yes," said Charles, following up the train of his re-
flections, " yes the sacrifice is severe, my dear sister : but
every one has his trials some of their honor ; others, of
their life. Do you suppose, that, at twenty-five, and the
most splendid throne in the world, I do not regret dying ?
Well, then, look at me ! My eyes, my complexion, my
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 485
lips are those of a dying man ; yet my smile would not
my smile make all the world believe that I still hope ?
Yet in a week, a fortnight, a month at most, you will weep
for me, my sister dear, as you do for him who died to-day. "
"Dearest brother!" cried Marguerite, throwing her
arms round Charles's neck.
" Come, dress yourself, dear Marguerite," said the king ;
" hide your paleness, and appear at the ball. I have
desired that they should bring you some new jewels and
ornaments worthy of your beauty."
" Oh, what are jewels and ornaments to me now ! " ex-
claimed Marguerite.
" Life is long, Marguerite ! " said Charles, with a smile,
"at least, for you."
" No ! no ! "
"Sister, recollect one thing : it is sometimes by stifling,
or rather dissimulating our suffering, that we show most
honor to the dead."
"Well, sire," said Marguerite, shuddering, "I will
attend the ball."
A tear, rapidly dried upon his parched eyelid, moistened
Charles's eye for a moment. He kissed his sister's brow,
paused a moment before Henriette, who had not seen or
heard him, and then retired, saying, as he did so
" Poor girl ! "
" Get everything ready to dress me, Gillonne," said
Marguerite,
The lady-in-waiting looked at her mistress in astonish-
ment.
"Yes," said Marguerite, in atone whose bitterness is
indescribable, "yes, I shall dress : I am going to the ball
they expect me. Make haste, then, the day will then
be complete : the fete at the Greve in the morning the
f6te at the Louvre in the evening."
" And the duchess ? " asked Gillonne.
" Ah, she she is quite happy ! She may remain here
she may weep suffer at her ease. She is not a king's
daughter, a king's wife, a king's sister : she is not a queen.
Help me to dress, Gillonne."
486 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
The young lady obeyed. The new ornaments sent by
the king were splendid, and-the dresses gorgeous. Mar-
guerite had never looked so magnificently beautiful.
She looked at herself in a glass, and said : " My brother
is right a human being is a miserable creature."
Gillonne entered at this moment.
"Madame," she said, "here is a man asking after
you."
" Who is he ? "
" I do not know, but he is very horrid -looking ; his very
appearance made me tremble/'
" Go and ask his name," said Marguerite, turning very
pale.
Gillonne went out, and returning after a few minutes,
said :
" He would not tell his name, madame, but begged me
to give you this."
And Gillonne handed to Marguerite the reliquary which
she had given to La Mole the night previous.
" Oh, bring him hither bring him hither ! " said the
queen, eagerly, and becoming even more pale and her
features more rigid.
A heavy step was heard upon the 3. oor and then a man
appeared on the threshold.
"You are ?" said the queen.
" He whom you saw one day near Montfau9on, madame,
and who conveyed in his tumbril two wounded gentlemen
to the Louvre."
" Yes, yes, I recognize you you are Maitre Caboche."
" Executioner of the provostry of Paris, madame."
These were the only words which Henriette had heard
of all those that had been spoken around her for the last
hour. She then raised her pale face from her two hands,
and looked at the headsman with her piercing eyes, which
seemed to dart flames.
" And yon come " said Marguerite, tremulously.
" To remind you of the promise made to the youngest
of the two gentlemen, him who charged me to return this
reliquary to you. Do you recollect, madame?"
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 487
" Yes, yes !" cried the queen, " and never shall more
noble shade have nobler satisfaction but where is it 9 "
" It is at my abode, with the body."
"Why did you not bring it ? "
" I might have been stopped at the wicket of the Louvre,
and compelled to open my cloak ; what would nave been
said if a head had been discovered underneath ? "
" True, true ; keep it at your house, and I will come for
it to-morrow."
' ' To-morrow, madame to-morrow ? " said Maitre Ca-
boche, " it may be too late ! "
" And wherefore ? "
" Because the queen-mother desired me to keep for her
magic experiments the heads of the first two criminals I
should execute."
" Oh, profanation ! the heads of our beloved ! Hen-
riette," exclaimed Marguerite, running towards her friend,
whom she found standing up as if a spring had placed her
on her feet, " Henriette, my darling friend, do you hear
what this man says ? "
" Yes, and what are we to do ? "
" We must accompany him ; " and Marguerite threw a
velvet cloak over her shoulders. " Come, come," she said,
" we shall see them once more."
Marguerite took Henriette by the arm, and, going down
the secret staircase, made a sign to Caboche to follow. At
the door was her litter, and at the wicket they found
Caboche's servant with a lantern.
Marguerite's bearers were trustworthy men, deaf and
dumb, and worthier of confidence than beasts of burthen.
They entered the litter, and were conveyed onwards,
until, suddenly stopping, the headsman opened the door.
Marguerite alighted, and aided the Duchess de Nevers.
In their excessive grief, which thus tried them both, it
was the nervous temperament that now gained the as-
cendant over the more powerfully organized frame.
" You may enter, ladies," said Caboche ; " everybody is
asleep in the tower."
At the same moment the light in the two windows was
488 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
extinguished, and the two ladies, clinging to each other,
passed under the gothic door, and went along in darkness
over a rugged and slippery pavement.
Caboche, with a torch in his hand, led them into a cham-
ber, low and blackened with smoke.
In a conspicuous place was nailed to the wall a parch-
ment sealed with the king's seal : it was the headsman's
brevet.
In a corner was a large sword, with a long handle : it
was the flaming sword of justice.
Here and there were seen several large images, represent-
ing saints under different kinds of martyrdom.
Having arrived here, Caboche made a low bow.
" Your majesty will pardon me," he said, " if I have
dared to penetrate to the Louvre and conduct you hither ;
but it was the last and earnest wish of the gentlemen ;
so"
"You have done well, maitre," said Marguerite, "and
this will recompense your zealous service."
Caboche eyed sorrowfully the purse, well filled with gold,
which Marguerite placed on the table.
" Gold ! gold ! always gold ! " he muttered. " Alas,
madame, why cannot I redeem at the price of gold the
blood I have been compelled to shed to-day !"
" Maitre," replied Marguerite, with painful hesitation,
" I do not see
Caboche took the flambeau, opened an outer door, which,
opening on to the staircase, led by a few steps into a cellar.
At the same moment a current of air passed, which drove
several sparks out of the torch, and brought up with it the
nauseous smell of damp and blood.
Henriette, white as a marble statue, leaned on the arm
of her friend, who moved with a more assured step ; but
at the first stair she staggered.
" I shall never be able " she exclaimed.
" When one loves well, Henriette," replied the queen,
" we love even beyond death itself."
It was a horrid and touching sight to see those two
women, resplendent in youth, beauty, and attire, bending
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 489
under this sordid and chalky vault, the weaker leaning on
the stronger, and the stronger clinging to the headsman's
arm.
They reached the lowest step.
On the floor of this cellar lay two human forms, covered
with a targe cloth of black serge.
Caboche raised a corner of this mort-cloth, and lower-
ing his torch, said :
" Look, your majesty ! "
In their black attire, the two young men lay side by
side, in the fearful symmetry of death. Their heads, placed
close on their bodies, seemed only divided from them by a
red circle round the neck. Death had not separated their
hands, for either by accident, 01 the pious attention of the
headsman, the right hand of La Mole reposed in the left
hand of Coconnas.
There was a look of love beneath the eyelids of La Mole ;
there was a smile of disdain under those of Coconnas.
Marguerite knelt down beside her lover, and, with her
hands glittering with jewels, gently raised the head of him
she had loved so well.
The Duchess de Nevers, leaning against the wall, could
not take her eyes off that pale face she had so often gazed
upon with joy and love.
"La Mole ! dearest La Mole !" murmured Marguerite.
" Annibal ! Annibal \" cried the duchess. "So hand-
gome, so proud, so brave, why dost thou not answer me ? "
and a torrent of tears gushed from her eyes.
Marguerite then put into a bag, embroidered with pearls
and perfumed with the finest essences, the head of La
Mole, which looked still more striking when in contact
with the velvet and gold, and whose beauty a peculiar
preparation, used at the period in royal embalmings, could
not fail to preserve.
Henriette folded the head of Coconnas in the skirt of
her mantle. And both, bending beneath their poignant
sorrow, ascended the stairs, after one last lingering look
at the loved remains they left to the mercy of an execu-
tioner, in this gloomy den of common criminals.
490 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" Fear nothing, madame," said Caboche, who compre-
hended the look ; " the gentlemen shall be buried in holy
ground : this I swear to you."
" And have masses said for their souls, which this will
pay for," said Henriette, taking from her neck a magnifi-
cent necklace of rubies, which she gave to the headsman.
They returned to the Louvre, and the queen, going to
her own apartments, deposited the melancholy relic in the
cabinet of her bedchamber, destined from that moment to
become an oratory ; then, leaving Henriette in her room,
the queen, paler and lovelier than ever, about ten o'clock
entered the splendid ball-room tKe scene in which we
commenced the first chapter of this our history, two years
and a half previously.
All eyes were turned towards her, and she supported
the universal gaze with a proud and almost joyous look,
for she had religiously accomplished the dying wish of the
beloved of her heart.
Charles, when he saw her, passed through the gilded
throng, and said aloud :
" Thanks, my dear sister ! " and then, in a lower tone :
" Mind 1 you have a spot of blood upon your arm."
" What consequence is that, sire, if I have but a smile
upon my lips ? "
CHAPTEK LXII.
THE SWEAT OF BLOOD.
SOME days after the terrible scene we have related, that
is, on the 30th of May, 1574, the court was at Vincennes,
when suddenly a great noise was heard in the antecham-
ber of the king, who had been ill in the midst of a grand
ball he had given the very day of the young men's execu-
tion, and by advice of his physicians had come to Vin-
cennes for change of air.
It was eight o'clock in the morning ; a small group of
courtiers was assembled in the antechamber, when the
MARGUEEITE DE VALOIS. 491
nurse appeared at the door of the royal apartment, cry-
ing :
" Help ! help ! the king is dying ! "
"The king is worse, then ?" said De Nancey, whom,
as we have seen, Charles had attached to his own person.
" Oh, summon the doctors ! summon the doctors ! "
cried the nurse.
Mazille and Ambroise Pare" attended the king by turns,
and Pare, having seen Charles fall asleep, had profited by
the opportunity to retire for a few moments.
Meantime, Charles had broken into a profuse perspira-
tion, and as he suffered from a relaxation of the capillary
vessels, which occasions hemorrhage of the skin, thic
strange appearance had alarmed the nurse, who, being a
Protestant, declared it was a judgment for the blood shed
in the massacre of St. Bartholomew. Every one hastened
in search of the doctor, in order to display his zeal and
activity.
A door suddenly opened, and Catherine appeared ; she
traversed the antechamber, and entered the king's apart-
ment.
Charles was lying across the bed, his eyes closed, and
his chest heaving ; his body was covered with a reddish
perspiration, and from the end of each finger hung a drop
of blood.
At the sound of steps Charles looked up, and beheld his
mother.
"Excuse me, madame," said he, " I would fain die in
peace."
"Die!" replied Catherine; "do not thus be discour-
aged, this is a passing attack."
" I tell you, mort de tout les diables ! I am dying I
know it, and I feel it ! "
" Sire," said the queen, " your mind is diseased ; since
the death of those two assassins, La Mole and Coconnas,
your bodily sufferings ought to have abated, and as for
your mental anguish, if I had ten minutes' conversation
with you, I could prove "
" Nurse," interrupted Charles, "let no one enter : the
492 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
Queen Catherine de Medicis wishes to speak with her
beloved son, Charles the Ninth."
The nurse obeyed.
" This interview must have taken place/' continued he,
"sooner or later, and perhaps to-morrow it may be too
late, but a third person must be present/'
"Why?"
" Because, I repeat," said Charles, with a terrible so-
lemnity, " Death is at the door of this chamber, and may
enter one moment from another, and it is time to put my
affairs in order."
" And who is this third person ? "
"My brother/
' Sire " said the queen, " I see with pleasure that these
denunciations, dictated by hate rather than pain, have not
left any prejudice on your mind. Nurse nurse !"
The nurse appeared.
"Nurse," said Catherine, "when M. de Nancey comes,
order him in the king's name to summon M. d'Alengon."
Charles made a sign to the nurse to stay.
" I said my brother, ' repeated he.
Catherine's eyes glistened with rage, but an imperious
gesture of Charles stopped her.
" I wish to speak with my brother Henry of Navarre,"
continued he ; "he alone is my brother."
"And do you think," cried the queen, daring (so great
was her hate to Henry) to brave Charles's anger, " do you
think, that if you are really, as you say, dying, I will suffer
a stranger to usurp my right as a queen and as a mother,
to be present at your last moments ? "
" Madame," said Charles, " I am yet king I yet com-
mand ; and if you will not summon Henry, I have yet
strength enough left to fetch him myself."
And Charles half rose from the bed.
" Sire," cried Catherine, detaining him, " think what
you do as for me, the laws of nature and of etiquette
alike bid me stay."
" By what title do you stay ?"
" By that of your mother."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 493
" Yon are no more my mother than D'Alen9on is my
brother."
" Yon rave ! when did I forfeit that title ? "
"When you took away that which you gave."
" What mean you, Charles ? I do not understand you/'
murmured Catherine, all amazement.
Charles felt under his pillow, and drew forth a small
silver key.
"Take this key, open my traveling-casket there, and
you will find papers that will speak for me."
Charles pointed to a casket of carved oak, fastened with
a silver lock, that stood in the center of the apartment.
Catherine, controlled, spite of herself, by Charles's
terrible look, opened the casket ; but no sooner had she
done so, then she recoiled, as if she had seen a serpent in-
side it.
" What do you see that alarms you, madame ? " asked
Charles.
"No thing," said Catherine.
" Then put your hand in, and give me a book ; for there
is one there is there not ?"
" Yes," faltered Catherine.
" A book of venerie ? "
"Yes."
" Bring it to me."
Catherine, trembling in every limb, did as he bade her.
" Fatality ! " murmured she.
" Listen," continued Charles. " This book I was
foolish I loved the chase above everything I read this
book too much. Do you understand ? "
Catherine uttered a suppressed groan,
"It was a folly!" said Charles. "Burn it, madame,
the world must not know the weaknesses of kings."
Catherine advanced to the fire, cast the fatal book in,
and stood, motionless and haggard, watching the blue
flames that devoured the poisoned leaves of the volume.
As it burned, a strong odor, like garlic, pervaded the
apartment.
It was soon entirely consumed.
494 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" And now, madanie," said the king, with irresistible
majesty, " summon my brother Henry/'
Catherine, overwhelmed, crushed beneath a complicated
emotion she could not analyze, quitted the room.
" Curse him ! " cried she, as she passed the threshold,
" he triumphs he reaches the goal ! Curse him ! curse
him!"
" Henry 1 my brother Henry ! " cried Charles, follow-
ing his mother with his voice ; " I wish to see him in-
stantly, to speak about the regency."
At this moment, Ambroise Pare entered by the opposite
door.
" Who has been burning arsenic here ? " said he.
" I have," replied Charles.
CHAPTER LXIII.
THE PLATFOEM OF THE DONJON AT VLN'CEITN'ES.
HENRY OF NAVAEKE was walking along on the terrace
of the donjon. He knew the court was at the ch&teau,
and it seemed to him he could see, through the walls,
Charles on his death-bed. It was a summer's eve. A
broad ray of light bathed the distant plains, and gilded
the stems of the old oaks in the forest.
But it was not on these objects thab Henry fixed his atten-
tion ; he was gazing, in thought, on the capital of France.
" Paris 1 " murmured he" Paris ! where is the Louvre
the Louvre, where is the throne 1 and here do these
ramparts shut me out from thee, to confine me with my
mortal enemy ! "
As his thoughts wandered from Paris back to Vincennes,
he saw on the left, in a valley, a man whose cuirass
sparkled in the sunbeams. This man was on a splendid
charger, and led another.
The king fixed hig eyes on this cavalier, and saw him
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 495
draw his sword, place his handkerchief on it, and wave it
in the air. Instantly the signal was repeated from the
next hill ; and continued until the king saw it extend all
round the chateau.
It was De Mouy and his Huguenots, who, knowing the
king was dying, and fearing lest Henry's life should be in
danger, had collected, and were ready to defend him.
Henry shaded his eyes with his hand, and recognizing
the cavalier :
"De Mouy !" cried he, as though his friend could hear
him.
And he hastily undid his scarf, and waved it in return.
All the handkerchiefs were again waved.
" Ah, they wait for me ! " said he. " I cannot join
them. Why did I not do so when it was in my power ! "
And he made a despairing gesture, that De Mouy re-
turned by another, which meant, "I will wait."
At this moment Henry heard steps on the stairs : he dis-
appeared ; and, as if by magic, the troop outside disap-
peared also.
Henry saw, and not without a secret dread, his mortal
foe, Catherine de Medicis, appear on the terrace.
" Oh," thought he, " it must be something important,
indeed, that makes her come and seek me on the platform
of the donjon of Vincennes."
Catherine sat down on a stone bench, to recover her
breath.
Henry approached her.
" Are you seeking me, madame ? " asked he.
" Yes," replied Catherine ; " I wished to give you a
proof of my attachment the king desires to see you."
" Me ? "
" Yes. He thinks that not content with desiring the
throne of Navarre, you covet that of France also."
" Oh, madame ! "
' ' I know it is not true, but he believes it, and lays a
snare for you."
"What will he, then, offer me ?"
"How do I know ? impossibilities, "perhaps."
496 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
"But have yon no idea ? "
"No ; but suppose, for instance *
" What ? "
" Suppose, Henry, he were to offer you a temptation
the regency ! "
Henry felt a thrill of joy pervade him, but he saw the
snare, and avoided it.
" Oh," said he, " the trick would be too palpable ; offer
me the regency, when there is yourself, when there is
D'Alenson !
" You will refuse it, then ? " replied Catherine.
" The king is dead," thought Henry ; " she has laid a
trap for me. I must hear what the king says, madame,
for you know all this is but supposition."
" Doubtless ; but you can tell me your intentions. "
" Mon Dieu ! " said Henry, " I have no pretensions, and
so can have no intentions."
" That is no answer," replied Catherine; "but to be
short with you for there is no time to lose if you
accept the regency you are a dead man."
"The king lives," thought Henry. "Madame," said
he, firmly, " God will inspire me, for the hearts of kings
are in His hands. I am ready to see his majesty."
" Eeflect, monsieur ! "
" During two years that I have been persecuted, and a
month that I have been a prisoner, I have had time for
reflection and I have reflected. Favor me, therefore, by
informing the king of my coming. These two guards
would prevent my escape, even did I contemplate flight,
which I do not."
Catherine saw she could do nothing more, and hastily
descended.
No sooner had she disappeared than Henry made a sign
to De Mony, that meant, "Draw nearer."
De Mouy sprang into the saddle, and advanced within a
musket-shot of the chateau.
Henry waved his hand, and hastened after the queen.
On the first landing he found the two sentinels awaiting
him.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 497
A double troop of Swiss and light horse guarded the
court, and to enter or leave the chateau it was necessary to
traverse a double rank of halberds. Catherine was wait-
ing there for him.
" Look ! " said she, laying her hand on his arm. " This
court has two gates ; at this, behind the king's apart-
ment, if you refuse the regency, a good horse and free-
dom await you. If you follow the dictates of ambition
what say you ? "
" I say that if the king makes me regent, I, and not you,
shall command these soldiers."
" Madman ! " murmured Catherine ; " be warned, and
do not play at life and death with me ! "
"Why not?" said Henry, "since, up to this time, I
have been the gainer."
" Go to the king's apartments, sir, since you will not
listen to me," said Catherine, pointing to the stairs with
one hand, whilst the other sought the handle of one of
the poisoned daggers she wore at her girdle in the shag-
reen case which has become historical.
" Pass before me, madame," said Henry ; " until I
am regent, you have the precedence."
Catherine, foiled at every point, made no resistance,
but ascended the stairs before Henry.
CHAPTER LXIV.
THE REGENCY.
THE king had become impatient, and was on the point
of sending De Nancey in search of Henry, when the latter
appeared.
On seeing him, Charles uttered a cry of joy. The two
doctors and the priest, who were with the king, instantly
rose and quitted the chamber.
Charles was not greatly beloved, and yet all the cour-
tiers in the antechambers were weeping. At the death of
32
498 MARGUERITE DE VALOI8.
every king, good or bad, there are some persons who fear
they shall lose by it.
Charles smiled mournfully.
"Come here, Harry," said he, holding out his hand to
him ; " come here. I was unhappy at not seeing you,
for, believe me, I have often reproached myself with hav-
ing tormented you ; but a king cannot control events, and,
besides, my mother and D'Anjou and D'Alen9on, and
something else, which now that I am dying does not influ-
ence me, influenced me then state policy."
" Sire," replied Henry, " I only recollect the love I bear
you as my brother/*
" Ah, you are right to think thus, and I am grateful to
you for it," said Charles. " But let us not think of the
past, but of the future, for it is that I am alarmed about."
And the poor king hid his face in his hands.
After a moment's silence, he continued :
'* We must save the state we must not let it fall into
the hands of fanatics or women."
Charles spoke these words in a low tone, and yet Henry
fancied he heard a suppressed exclamation of rage."
"Of women ?" said he, anxious to provoke an explana-
tion.
" Yes, for my mother would fain be regent until D'An-
jou's return ; but, I tell you, he will not return."
" How, not return ? " cried Henry, his heart beating
joyfully.
" No, his subjects will not let him."
" But do you not think the queen-mother has already
written to him ? "
" Yes ; but Nancey stopped the courier at Chateau
Thierry, and brought me the letter, in which she said I
was dying. I wrote to Warsaw myself, and D'Anjou will
be carefully watched, so that in all probability the throne
will become vacant."
Another angry sound was heard behind the tapestry.
" She is there," thought Henry, "and is listening."
Charles heard nothing.
"I die without male heirs," continued he.
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. 499
Then, stopping suddenly, he looked at the King of
Navarre.
" Do you recollect, Harry/' said he, " the little boy I
showed you one night, sleeping peacefully in his cradle,
and watched over by an angel ? Alas, they will kill him
also!"
" Oh no, no ! " cried Henry, with tears in his eyes ; " I
swear to you that I will watch over and protect him with
my life."
" Thanks, Harry, thanks ! " said the king gratefully ;
" I accept your promise ; do not make him a king (fortu-
nately, he is not born to a throne), but make him happy ;
I leave him an ample fortune, and I am now more resigned
since you have promised to protect him."
Henry reflected.
" I have promised," said he ; " but can I fulfil my
word ? "
" What mean you ? "
" Shall I not be persecuted, and in more danger than he
is, since I am a man, and he but an infant ? "
" You are mistaken," said Charles; " after my death
you shall be great and powerful."
At these words he drew a parchment from under his
pillow.
"Here !" said he.
Henry hastily glanced over the document.
" The regency for me ? "
"Yes, until D'Anjou's return ; and, as he will not re-
turn, in all probability it is the throne I give you."
" The throne ! "
"You alone are worthy of it you alone capable of
governing. D'Alenqon is a traitor leave him in the
prison I have consigned him to. My mother will seek to
kill you banish her. D'An jou will quit Poland in three
months, perhaps in a year, reply to him by a papal bull.
I have already arranged that matter, and you will receive
the document shortly."
" Oh, my king !
" You have but one thing to fear civil war ; but, bj
DUMAS VOL. III. 22
500 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
remaining converted, you will avoid that. The Protes-
tants can do nothing unless you are at their head, for
Cond6 is comparatively nothing. They say I feel remorse
for the Bartholomew : doubts, yes ! remorse, no ! They
say I bleed the blood then shed at every pore ; what flows
from me is arsenic, and not blood/'
" Oh, what mean you, sire ? "
" Nothing ; God will, if he think fit, avenge my death.
I leave you a faithful parliament and a trusty army.
They will protect you against your only enemies my
mother and D'Alen9on."
At this moment the sound of arms was heard in the ves-
tibule.
" I am lost," murmured Henry.
" You fear you hesitate/' said Charles.
"No, I accept."
Charles pressed his hand.
"Nurse," cried he : "nurse, summon my mother and
M. d'Alen9on."
CHAPTER LXV.
THE KING IS DEAD ! GOD SAVE THE KING.
CATHERINE and D'Ale^on entered together. As
Henry had conjectured, the queen had overheard all, and
had in a few words acquainted D'Alengon with what had
passed.
Henry stood by the head of the king's bed.
The king commenced thus :
" Madame," said he, to his mother, "if I had a son, he
would be king, and you would be regent ; in your stead,
did you decline, the King of Poland ; in his stead, did he
decline, D'Alenqon ; but I have no son, and the throne
belongs to D'Anjou, who is absent. I do not choose,
therefore, to place a man almost his equal on the throne,
at the risk of exciting a civil war ; I do not, therefore
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 501
make yon regent, because it would be painful for you to
choose between your two sons ; I do not, therefore, make
D'Alenc, on regent, because he might say to D'An jou, ' You
had a throne, why have you quitted it ? ' No ; I have,
therefore, chosen the fittest person for regent. Salute
him, madame salute him, D'Alen9on : it is the King of
Navarre ! "
And with a gesture of supreme authority he himself
saluted Henry : Catherine and D'Alencon made a motion
between a shudder and a salute.
" Here, my lord regent," said Charles, " is the parch-
ment that, until the return of D'Anjou, gives you the
command of the kingdom."
Catherine devoured Henry with her eyes ; D'Alen9on
turned deadly pale, and could hardly stand.
Henry, making a violent effort, took the warrant from
Charles, and drawing himself up to his full height, fixed
his eyes on the queen, as if to say, " Beware, I am your
master ! "
"No, never!" said Catherine ; "never shall my race
yield to a foreign one ! Never shall a Bourbon reign
whilst a Valois remains ! "
" Mother ! " cried Charles, sitting up, " I am yet king,
and have strength enough to give an order ; it does not
require much time to punish murderers and poisoners."
" Give the order if you dare I will give mine ! "
And she left the room, followed by D'Alei^on.
" Nancey ! " cried Charles ; " Nancey ; arrest my
mother and brother ! "
A stream of blood choked his utterance.
De Nancey entered ; he had only heard his name ; the
rest of the order had not reached him.
"Guard the door," said Henry, "and let no one
enter ! "
Nancey bowed, and left the apartment. Henry looked
at the dying king.
" The fatal moment is come ! " said he. " Shall I
reign? Shall I live?"
" Live, sire ! " said a voice.
502 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
The tapestry of the alcove was lifted, and Rene's pale
face appeared.
" Ren6 ? " cried Henry.
"Yes, sire."
" Your prediction was false, then I shall not be
king ? "
" You shall be ; but the time has not yet come."
"How do you know ? Speak 1 "
" Listen ! "
"I listen."
" Stoop ! "
Henry leaned over the bed, and Ren6 did the same ; be-
tween them lay the body of the dying king.
" Listen ! " said Ren6. " Placed here by the queen-
mother to undo you, I prefer to serve you ; for I have
faith in your horoscope."
" Is it the queen-mother who bade you tell me that ? "
"No," said Rene 1 ; " I will tell you a secret : the King
of Poland will soon be here ! "
" No for the king stopped the courier at Chdteau
Thierry."
" The queen had sent three, by different routes."
" Oh, I am lost ! " said Henry.
" A messenger arrived this morning from Warsaw. No
one knows of Charles's illness there ; D'Aujou quitted
that city without opposition, and the courier only pre-
ceded him by a few hours."
" Oh, had I but eight days !" muttered Henry.
"You have not eight hours ! did you not hear the noise
of the arms in the vestibule ? The soldiers will come even
here to kill you."
" The king is not dead yet."
' ' No," said Ren6, " but he will be in ten minutes ; yon
have ten minutes to live."
" What shall I do, then?"
"Fly instantly."
" How? If I cross the vestibule, they will kill me there."
" Listen! I risk everything for you ; do not forget it."
" Fear me not."
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 503
" Follow me through this passage ; it will conduct you
to the postern. I will, to gain time, tell the queen you
are coming ; they will think afterwards you have discov-
ered the secret door, and escaped."
Henry stooped, and kissed Charles's forehead.
" Adieu, my brother ; " said he ; "1 will not forget your
last wish was to see me king. Die in peace ; in the name
of my brethren I forgive you their blood you have spilt."
Henry seized Charles's sword, placed the precious parch-
ment in his breast, pressed his lips again to Charles's fore-
head, and disappeared by the secret passage.
" Nurse ! " murmured the king ; " nurse ! "
"What do you want, Chariot ? " cried she.
" Nurse, whilst I have been sleeping, something strange
has happened ; for I see a great light, and saints interced-
ing with God for me. Pardon me, my God ! Pardon the
crimes of the king, in compassion for the sufferings of the
man ! I come ! I come ! "
And Charles, who had risen nearly to his feet, fell back
dead into his nurse's arms.
Meantime, Henry, guided by Ken6, traversed the pas-
sage, passed through the postern, and springing on his
horse, galloped towards De Mouy.
The sentinels, hearing the horse, moved forward and
cried :
" He flies he flies ! "
" Who flies ? " said the queen.
"The King of Navarre."
" Fire on him fire ! " said the queen.
The sentinels leveled their pieces, but the king was out
of reach.
" He flies !" said Catherine ; he is vanquished, then ! "
" He flies ! " muttered D'Alen9on ; I am king, then ! "
But at this moment the drawbridge was hastily lowered,
and a young man galloped into the court, followed by
four gentlemen crying, "France, France!"
" My son ! " cried Catherine, joyfully.
" My mother ! " replied the young man, springing to
the ground.
504 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
" D'Anjon ! " exclaimed Francois, thunderstruck.
" Am I too late ? " said Henry d'Anjou.
" No, you are just in time listen ! "
At this moment De Nancey appeared at the balcony of
the king's apartment : all eyes were fixed on him.
He broke a wand he held in two pieces, and holding a
fragment in either hand :
" King Charles the Ninth is dead ! King Charles the
Ninth is dead ! King Charles the Ninth is dead ! " cried
he three times.
And he let fall the fragments of the wand.
" Charles the Ninth is dead ! " said Catherine, crossing
herself ; " God save Henry the Third ! "
All repeated the cry, with the exception of D'Alenc.on.
"She has betrayed me/' said he.
" I have conquered," cried Catherine, " and the odious
Bearnais will not reign 1 "
CHAPTER LXVI.
EPILOGUE.
A TEAK had elapsed since the death of Charles IX., and
the accession of his successor.
King Henry III., happily reigning by the grace of God
and his mother Catherine, had gone in a fine procession
in honor of N6tre Dame de Clery.
He had gone on foot with the queen, his wife, and all
the court.
King Henry III. was able to afford himself this little
pastime, for no serious business occupied him at the
moment : the King of Navarre was in Navarre, where he
had so long desired to be ; and they said was very much
taken up with a beautiful girl of the blood of the Montmo-
rencies, whom he called la Fosseuse (dimple-cheek). Mar-
guerite was with him, sad and gloomy, and finding only
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 505
in her beautiful mountains, not an amusement, but a
soother of the two great griefs of human life absence
and death.
Paris was very quiet, and the queen-mother, really re-
gent since her dear son Henry was king, resided some-
times at the Louvre, sometimes at the Hotel de Soissons.
One evening, when she was deeply occupied in studying
the stars with Bene, whose little treason she had never
detected, and who had been reinstated in her favor, after
the false testimony he had so opportunely borne against
La Mole and Coconnas, she was informed that a man
desired to see her who had a matter of the utmost impor-
tance to communicate.
She went hastily to her oratory, and found the Sire de
Maurevel.
" HE is here ! " exclaimed the ancient captain of the
Petardiers, not giving Catherine time to address him,
according to royal etiquette.
" What HE ? " she asked.
" Who can it be, madame, but the King of Navarre ? "
" Here ? " cried Catherine. " Here ! he Henry !
and what is the madman doing here ?"
" If appearances may be trusted, he has come to see
Madame de Sauve ; if probabilities are considered, he
comes to conspire against the king."
" How did you know he was here ? "
' ' Because I saw him enter a house here yesterday, and,
very soon afterwards, Madame de Sauve joined him
there."
" Are you sure it was he ? "
' ' I waited until he came out. At three o'clock, the
two lovers appeared. The king conducted Madame de
Sauve to the wicket of the Louvre. There the porter,
who is no doubt in her interest, admitted her, and she en-
tered without interruption, and the king returned hum-
ming a tune, and with a step as free and unconcerned as
if he were amongst his mountains in Beam."
" And whither did he betake himself ? "
" Rue de FArbre-Sec, to the hotel of the Belle Etoile,
506 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
at the same man's where the two sorcerers lodged whom
your majesty executed last year."
" Why did you not come and inform me the moment
you first saw him ? "
" Because I was not quite sure of my man."
" Whilst now- "
" I am perfectly certain."
"You saw him, then ?"
"Perfectly. I concealed myself at the wine shop in
front of the house, and saw him enter the same place as
on the previous night. Then, as Madame de Sauve was
late, he imprudently put his face against the window on
the first-floor, and then I had no further doubt. Besides,
a few moments afterwards, Madame de Sauve came and
rejoined him."
" And do you think they will remain, as they did last
night, until three o'clock in the morning 1 "
" It is probable."
" Where is the house you mention ? "
" Near the Croix-des-Petits-Champs, close by Saint
Honore."
" Very good ! " replied Catherine. " Does Monsieur de
Sauve know your handwriting ? "
" No," said Maurevel.
"Sit down there and write."
Maurevel obeyed.
" I am ready, madame," said he.
Catherine dictated :
" Whilst the Baron de Sauve is on service at the Louvre,
his wife is with her lover in a house near the Croix-des-
Petits-Champs, Rue Saint Honore. The baron will recog-
nize the house by a red cross on the wall."
"Well?"
" Now make a second copy of this letter."
Maurevel did so.
"Now," continued the queen, " let this billet be given
adroitly to the baron, and let fall the other in the corridor
of the Louvre."
" 1 do not understand."
MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS. 507
Catherine shrugged her shoulders.
"You do not see that a husband who receives such a
letter must be angry."
"In the King of Navarre's time he was not offended."
" Do you not know there is a great difference between
a king and an exile ? Besides, if he is not offended, you
will be for him."
"I?"
"Yes ; take four or six men, masked. You burst open
the door you surprise the lovers you strike, in the baron's
name, and the next day, the letter found in the Louvre
proves that it is the husband who revenged himself, only
it happened the lover was the King of Navarre ; but who
could think he was there, when every one believed he was
at Pau ? "
Maurevel bowed and withdrew.
Just as he quitted the H6tel de Soissons, Madame de
Sauve entered the house of the Croix-des-Petits- Champs.
Henry was waiting for her.
" Have you been followed ? " said he.
" No," said Charlotte, "not that I know of."
" I think I have ; not only to-night, but last evening
also."
" Oh, sire, you terrify me. I should be inconsolable if
anything were to happen to you."
" Fear nothing, love," said the Bearnais, "three faith-
ful followers watch over me."
" Only three?"
" Three are sufficient, when they are called De Mouy,
Sau court, and Barthe'lemy."
" De Mouy is then at Paris ? Has he, like you, some
poor lady in love with him ? "
" No ; but a mortal enemy, whose death he has sworn
to compass. Nothing else but hate makes men commit
such follies as they commit in love."
" Thank you, sire ! "
" Oh, I do not speak of our present follies, but those
past and to come. But let us leave off this conversation,
for my time is short."
508 MARGUERITE DE V ALOIS.
" You leave Paris, then ? "
" To-night."
" Your affairs in Paris are finished ? *
"My only business was to see you."
" Gascon ! "
" Ma mie, it is true ; but we have a few more hours to
pass together, and then we separate forever."
" Oh, Henry," said Charlotte, " nothing but my love
lasts forever."
It was arranged that Henry should leave the house at
twelve o'clock, that he and his companions should escort
Madame de Sauve to the Louvre, and should go from
thence to the Rue de Cerisaie, where Maurevel dwelt.
The three Huguenots had been on guard about an hour
when they saw a man, followed at some distance by five
others, approach the door of the house, and apply succes-
sively several keys to the lock.
At this sight, De Mouy sprang from his concealment,
and catching the man by the arm :
" Stay ! " said he ; " you do not enter there ! "
The man started, and his hat fell off.
" De Mony de Saint-Phale !" cried he.
" Maurevel ! " thundered the Huguenot, brandishing
his sword ; " I sought you, and you come to find me ! "
But he did not forget Henry, and turning to the window,
he whistled like the Bearnese shepherds.
"That is sufficient," said he to Saucourt.
" Now then, murderer ! "
Maurevel had time to draw a pistol from his belt, and
leveling it at the young man :
"This time," said the king's slayer, "you are dead."
But De Mouy sprang on one side, and the ball passed
by him.
" It is my turn now ! " cried he ; and he dealt Maurevel
so terrible a thrust with his rapier, that it traversed his
thick buff belt, and inflicted a severe wound.
Maurevel uttered so piercing a cry, that his followers
thought he was killed, and ran away down the Eue St.
HonorS.
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 509
Manrevel, seeing himself abandoned, took to flight, cry-
ing, " Help ! help I "
De Mouy, Saucourt, and Barthdlemy pursued him
hotly.
As they entered the Eue de Grenelle, a man sprang out
of a window on the first-floor.
It was Henry.
Warned by De Mouy's signal, and by the report of the
pistol, that something had occurred, he hastened to the
assistance of his friends.
Active and vigorous, he dashed after them sword in
hand.
A cry guided him ; it came from the Barrier des Ser-
gens ; it was Maurevel, who, hard pressed by De Mouy,
called again for help.
He was forced to turn, or else be run through the back :
he turned, therefore, and thrust fiercely at De Mouy, and
pierced his scarf ; De Mouy lounged in his turn, and a
second time wounded him.
" At him at him ! " cried Henry.
De Mouy needed no exhortation : he charged Maurevel
again, who, pressing his hand over his wound, took to flight
once more.
1 Kill him quickly !" cried the king. " Here are the
soldiers ! "
Maurevel, breathless and exhausted could go no further ;
he fell on one knee, and presented his sword-point to De
Mouy.
" They are only two ! " cried he. " Fire fire ! "
Sancourt and Barthelemy had been carried away in pur-
suit of the other soldiers, so that De Mouy and the king
found themselves opposed to four men.
" Fire ! " cried Maurevel, whilst one of the soldiers pre-
pared his arquebuss.
" Yes ; but first die assassin, murderer, traitor die ! "
So saying, De Mouy seized Maurevel's sword with one
hand, and plunged his own so violently into his breast,
that he pinned him to the earth.
" Take care take care 1 " cried Henry.
510 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
De Mouy sprang back, leaving his sword in the body of
Maurevel, for a soldier was in the act of firing at him.
Henry instantly passed his sword through the soldier's
body, who fell, uttering a cry.
The two others betook themselves to flight.
" Come, De Mouy, come ! " said Henry. " We have not
a moment to lose ; if we are recognized, we are lost ! "
" One moment, sire, whilst I recover my sword. You
do not suppose I would leave it sticking in the body of that
wretch ! "
He went towards Maurevel, who lay, to all appearance,
deprived of motion, but the moment that De Mouy laid
his hand on the hilt of the sword which had remained in
his body, he raised himself, with the petronel in his hand,
which the soldier had dropped as he fell, and placing the
muzzle full against De Mouy's breast, pulled the trigger.
De Mouy fell without a cry. He was killed outright.
Henry rushed towards Maurevel, but he had fallen again,
and the king's sword pierced only a dead carcase.
It was necessary for him to flee ; the noise had attracted
a great number of persons, and the guard might arrive.
Henry then looked about him, to see if there was a face
he knew, and gave a cry of joy, as he recognized Maitre
la Huriere.
" My dear La Huriere, look after De Mouy, I pray you ;
although I have great fear that he is past hope. Have him
taken to your house, and if he still lives, spare no expense
here is my purse : as to the other, leave the scoundrel
to rot in the kennel like a dog ! "
" Bnt yourself ? " said La Huriere.
" I have a farewell to make. I will hasten, and be back
with you in ten minutes. Have my horses ready."
Henry then hastened away in the direction of the little
house in the Croix-des-Petits-Champs ; but as he turned
the corner, he stopped, in great alarm.
There was a great crowd before the door.
" What has happened in this house ? " inquired Henry.
" Oh/' replied a bystander, " a terrible affair, sir ! A
beautiful lady has been stabbed by her husband, to whom
MARGUERITE DE VALOIS. 5H
some one had sent a note, informing him that she was
there with her lover."
" And the husband ? " cried Henry.
"Has gone."
" The wife ? "
" Is there still."
" Dead ? "
" Not yet ; but there is no hope."
" Oh," exclaimed Henry, " cursed fate ! " and he rushed
into the house.
The room was filled with people, all surrounding the
bed on which lay poor Charlotte, stabbed with two blows
of a poniard. Her husband, who had for two years con-
cealed his jealousy of Henry, had seized this opportunity
of avenging himself.
" Charlotte, Charlotte ! " cried Henry, falling on his
knees at the bedside.
Charlotte opened her beautiful eyes, already veiled by
death, and gave a cry which made the blood flow from her
two wounds ; and making an effort to rise, she said :
" Oh, I was sure I could not die without seeing him
once more ! "
And, as if she had awaited the moment of Henry's com-
ing to die, she pressed her lips on the King of Navarre's
forehead, and murmuring for the last time, " I love thee ! "
fell back, and expired.
Henry could not remain a moment longer without his
life being in jeopardy. He drew his dagger, cut off one
of those long and fair tresses he had so often admired and
pressed to his lips, and sobbing bitterly, amidst the sobs
of the lookers-on, who had no idea that their sympathies
were excited for persons of such high estate, left the room.
"Friend, mistress," cried Henry, in despair; "all for-
sake me, all leave me, all fail me at once ! "
" Yes, sire," said a man who had quitted the group be-
fore the house, and followed Henry : " but the throne is
still left to you."
" Rene ! " cried Henry.
" Yes, sire, Rene who still watches over you. The
512 MARGUERITE DE VALOIS.
wretch Map.revel named you as he died. They know yon
are in Paris the archers are seeking for you fly ! fly ! "
"And yet you say, Rene, that I, a fugitive, shall be
king?"
''Look, sire/' said the Florentine, pointing out to the
king a star which appeared alone, brilliant amongst the
folds of a golden cloud ; " it is not I who say so, but that ! "
Henry heaved a sigh and disappeared in the darkness.
THE EifD.
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