Thecardinal，quiteunmoved，replied:”WhetherthePrincedeCondeiscompromisedornot，ifwearecertainthatheistheleader，weshouldstrikehimdownatonceandsecuretranquillity。Weneedjudgesratherthansoldiersforthisbusiness——andjudgesareneverlacking。Victoryisalwaysmorecertainintheparliamentthanonthefield，anditcostsless。””Iconsent，willingly，”saidtheduke；”butdoyouthinkthePrincedeCondeispowerfulenoughtoinspire，himselfalone，theaudacityofthosewhoaremakingthisfirstattackuponus？Isn’tthere，behindhim——””ThekingofNavarre，”saidthecardinal。”Pooh！afoolwhospeakstomecapinhand！”repliedtheduke。”ThecoquetriesofthatFlorentinewomanseemtoblindyoureyes——””Oh！asforthat，”exclaimedthepriest，”ifIdoplaythegallantwithheritisonlythatImayreadtothebottomofherheart。””Shehasnoheart，”saidtheduke，sharply；”sheisevenmoreambitiousthanyouandI。””Youareabravesoldier，”saidthecardinal；”but，believeme，I
　　distanceyouinthismatter。IhavehadCatherinewatchedbyMaryStuartlongbeforeyouevensuspectedher。Shehasnomorereligionthanmyshoe；ifsheisnotthesoulofthisplotitisnotforwantofwill。Butweshallnowbeabletotestheronthesceneitself，andfindoutthenhowshestandsbyus。Uptothistime，however，Iamcertainshehasheldnocommunicationwhateverwiththeheretics。””Well，itistimenowtorevealthewholeplottotheking，andtothequeen-mother，who，yousay，knowsnothingofit，——thatisthesoleproofofherinnocence；perhapstheconspiratorshavewaitedtillthelastmoment，expectingtodazzleherwiththeprobabilitiesofsuccess。LaRenaudiemustsoondiscoverbymyarrangementsthatwearewarned。LastnightNemourswastofollowdetachmentsoftheReformerswhoarepouringinalongthecross-roads，andtheconspiratorswillbeforcedtoattackusatAmboise，whichplaceIintendtoletthementer。Here，”addedtheduke，pointingtothreesidesoftherockonwhichthechateaudeBloisisbuilt；”weshouldhaveanassaultwithoutanyresult；theHuguenotscouldcomeandgoatwill。Bloisisanopenhallwithfourentrances；whereasAmboiseisasackwithasinglemouth。””IshallnotleaveCatherine’sside，”saidthecardinal。”Wehavemadeablunder，”remarkedtheduke，whowasplayingwithhisdagger，tossingitintotheairandcatchingitbythehilt。”WeoughttohavetreatedheraswedidtheReformers，——givenhercompletefreedomofactionandcaughtherintheact。”
　　Thecardinallookedathisbrotherforaninstantandshookhishead。”WhatdoesPardaillanwant？”saidtheduke，observingtheapproachoftheyoungnoblemanwhowaslatertobecomecelebratedbyhisencounterwithLaRenaudie，inwhichtheybothlosttheirlives。”Monseigneur，amansentbythequeen’sfurrierisatthegate，andsayshehasanerminesuittoconveytoher。AmItolethimenter？””Ah！yes，——theerminecoatshespokeofyesterday，”returnedthecardinal；”lettheshop-fellowpass；shewillwantthegarmentforthevoyagedowntheLoire。””Howdidhegetherewithoutbeingstoppeduntilhereachedthegate？”
　　askedtheduke。”Idonotknow，”repliedPardaillan。”I’llasktoseehimwhenheiswiththequeen，”thoughttheBalafre。”Lethimwaitinthe/salledesgardes/，”hesaidaloud。”Isheyoung，Pardaillan？””Yes，monseigneur；hesaysheisasonofLecamusthefurrier。””LecamusisagoodCatholic，”remarkedthecardinal，who，likehisbrothertheduke，wasendowedwithCaesar’smemory。”TherectorofSaint-Pierre-aux-Boeufsreliesuponhim；heistheprovostofthatquarter。””Nevertheless，”saidtheduke，”makethesontalkwiththecaptainoftheScotchguard，”layinganemphasisontheverbwhichwasreadilyunderstood。”Ambroiseisinthechateau；hecantelluswhetherthefellowisreallythesonofLecamus，fortheoldmandidhimgoodserviceintimespast。SendforAmbroisePare。”
　　ItwasatthismomentthatQueenCatherinewent，unattended，towardthetwobrothers，whohastenedtomeetherwiththeiraccustomedshowofrespect，inwhichtheItalianprincessdetectedconstantirony。”Messieurs，”shesaid，”willyoudeigntoinformmeofwhatisabouttotakeplace？IsthewidowofyourformermasteroflessimportanceinyouresteemthantheSieursVieilleville，Birago，andChiverni？””Madame，”repliedthecardinal，inatoneofgallantry，”ourdutyasmen，takingprecedenceofthatofstatecraft，forbidsustoalarmthefairsexbyfalsereports。Butthismorningthereisindeedgoodreasontoconferwithyouontheaffairsofthecountry。Youmustexcusemybrotherforhavingalreadygivenorderstothegentlemenyoumention，——orderswhichwerepurelymilitary，andthereforedidnotconcernyou；themattersofrealimportancearestilltobedecided。
　　Ifyouarewilling，wewillnowgothe/lever/ofthekingandqueen；
　　itisnearlytime。””Butwhatisallthis，Monsieurleduc？”criedCatherine，pretendingalarm。”Isanythingthematter？””TheReformation，madame，isnolongeramereheresy；itisaparty，whichhastakenarmsandiscomingheretosnatchthekingawayfromyou。”
　　Catherine，thecardinal，theduke，andthethreegentlemenmadetheirwaytothestaircasethroughthegallery，whichwascrowdedwithcourtierswho，beingoffduty，nolongerhadtherightofentrancetotheroyalapartments，andstoodintwohedgesoneitherside。Gondi，whowatchedthemwhilethequeen-mothertalkedwiththeLorraineprinces，whisperedinherear，ingoodTuscan，twowordswhichafterwardsbecameproverbs，——wordswhicharethekeynotetooneaspectofherregalcharacter:”Odiateeaspettate”——”Hateandwait。”
　　Pardaillan，whohadgonetoordertheofficeroftheguardatthegateofthechateautolettheclerkofthequeen’sfurrierenter，foundChristopheopen-mouthedbeforetheportal，staringatthefacadebuiltbythegoodkingLouisXII。，onwhichtherewasatthattimeamuchgreaternumberofgrotesquecarvingsthanweseethereto-day，——
　　grotesque，thatistosay，ifwemayjudgebythosethatremaintous。
　　Forinstance，personscuriousinsuchmattersmayremarkthefigurineofawomancarvedonthecapitalofoneoftheportalcolumns，withherrobecaughtuptoshowtoastoutmonkcrouchinginthecapitalofthecorrespondingcolumn”thatwhichBrunelleshowedtoMarphise”；
　　whileabovethisportalstood，atthetimeofwhichwewrite，thestatueofLouisXII。Severalofthewindow-casingsofthisfacade，carvedinthesamestyle，andnow，unfortunately，destroyed，amused，orseemedtoamuseChristophe，onwhomthearquebusiersoftheguardwererainingjests。”Hewouldliketolivethere，”saidthesub-corporal，playingwiththecartridgesofhisweapon，whichwerepreparedforuseintheshapeoflittlesugar-loaves，andslungtothebaldricksofthemen。”Hey，Parisian！”saidanother；”youneversawthelikeofthat，didyou？””HerecognizesthegoodKingLouisXII。，”saidathird。
　　Christophepretendednottohear，andtriedtoexaggeratehisamazement，theresultbeingthathissillyattitudeandhisbehaviorbeforetheguardprovedanexcellentpassporttotheeyesofPardaillan。”Thequeenhasnotyetrisen，”saidtheyoungcaptain；”comeandwaitforherinthe/salledesgardes/。”
　　ChristophefollowedPardaillanratherslowly。Onthewayhestoppedtoadmiretheprettygalleryintheformofanarcade，wherethecourtiersofLouisXII。awaitedthereception-hourwhenitrained，andwhere，atthepresentmoment，wereseveralseigneursattachedtotheGuises；forthestaircasesowellpreservedtothepresentdaywhichledtotheirapartmentsisattheendofthisgalleryinatower，thearchitectureofwhichcommendsitselftotheadmirationofintelligentbeholders。”Well，well！didyoucomeheretostudythecarvingofimages？”criedPardaillan，asChristophestoppedbeforethecharmingsculpturesofthebalustradewhichunites，or，ifyoupreferit，separatesthecolumnsofeacharcade。
　　Christophefollowedtheyoungofficertothegrandstaircase，notwithoutaglanceofecstasyatthesemi-Moorishtower。Theweatherwasfine，andthecourtwascrowdedwithstaff-officersandseigneurs，talkingtogetherinlittlegroups，——theirdazzlinguniformsandcourt-
　　dressesbrighteningaspotwhichthemarvelsofarchitecture，thenfreshandnew，hadalreadymadesobrilliant。”Comeinhere，”saidPardaillan，makingLecamusasigntofollowhimthroughacarvedwoodendoorleadingtothesecondfloor，whichthedoor-keeperopenedonrecognizingtheyoungofficer。
　　ItiseasytoimagineChristophe’samazementasheenteredthegreat/salledesgardes/，thensovastthatmilitarynecessityhassincedivideditbyapartitionintotwochambers。Itoccupiedonthesecondfloorthatoftheking，asdidthecorrespondinghallonthefirstfloorthatofthequeen-mother，onethirdofthewholefrontofthechateaufacingthecourtyard；anditwaslightedbytwowindowstorightandtwotoleftofthetowerinwhichthefamousstaircasewindsup。Theyoungcaptainwenttothedooroftheroyalchamber，whichopeneduponthisvasthall，andtoldoneofthetwopagesondutytoinformMadameDayelles，thequeen’sbedchamberwoman，thatthefurrierwasinthehallwithhersurcoat。
　　OnasignfromPardaillanChristopheplacedhimselfnearanofficer，whowasseatedonastoolatthecornerofafireplaceaslargeashisfather’swholeshop，whichwasattheendofthegreathall，oppositetoapreciselysimilarfireplaceattheotherend。Whiletalkingtothisofficer，alieutenant，hecontrivedtointeresthimwithanaccountofthestagnationoftrade。ChristopheseemedsothoroughlyashopkeeperthattheofficerimpartedthatconvictiontothecaptainoftheScotchguard，whocameinfromthecourtyardtoquestionLecamus，allthewhilewatchinghimcovertlyandnarrowly。
　　HowevermuchChristopheLecamushadbeenwarned，itwasimpossibleforhimtoreallyapprehendthecoldferocityoftheinterestsbetweenwhichChaudieuhadslippedhim。Toanobserverofthisscene，whohadknownthesecretsofitasthehistorianunderstandsitinthelightofto-day，therewasindeedcausetotrembleforthisyoungman，——thehopeoftwofamilies，——thrustbetweenthosepowerfulandpitilessmachines，CatherineandtheGuises。Butdocourageousbeings，asarule，measurethefullextentoftheirdangers？BythewayinwhichtheportofBlois，thechateau，andthetownwereguarded，Christophewaspreparedtofindspiesandtrapseverywhere；andhethereforeresolvedtoconcealtheimportanceofhismissionandthetensionofhismindundertheempty-headedandshopkeepingappearancewithwhichhepresentedhimselftotheeyesofyoungPardaillan，theofficeroftheguard，andtheScottishcaptain。
　　Theagitationwhich，inaroyalcastle，alwaysattendsthehouroftheking’srising，wasbeginningtoshowitself。Thegreatlords，whosehorses，pages，orgroomsremainedintheoutercourtyard，——fornoone，exceptthekingandthequeens，hadtherighttoentertheinnercourtyardonhorseback，——weremountingbygroupsthemagnificentstaircase，andfillingbydegreesthevasthall，thebeamsofwhicharenowstrippedofthedecorationsthatthenadornedthem。Miserablelittleredtileshavereplacedtheingeniousmosaicsofthefloors；
　　andthethickwalls，thendrapedwiththecrowntapestriesandglowingwithalltheartsofthatuniqueperiodofthesplendorsofhumanity，arenowdenudedandwhitewashed！ReformersandCatholicswerepressingintohearthenewsandtowatchfaces，quiteasmuchastopaytheirdutytotheking。FrancoisII。’sexcessiveloveforMaryStuart，towhichneitherthequeen-mothernortheGuisesmadeanyopposition，andthepoliticcomplianceofMaryStuartherself，deprivedthekingofallregalpower。Atseventeenyearsofageheknewnothingofroyaltybutitspleasures，orofmarriagebeyondtheindulgenceoffirstpassion。Asamatteroffact，allpresentpaidtheircourttoQueenMaryandtoheruncles，theCardinaldeLorraineandtheDucdeGuise，ratherthantotheking。
　　ThisstirtookplacebeforeChristophe，whowatchedthearrivalofeachnewpersonagewithnaturaleagerness。Amagnificentportiere，oneithersideofwhichstoodtwopagesandtwosoldiersoftheScotchguard，thenonduty，showedhimtheentrancetotheroyalchamber，——
　　thechambersofataltothesonofthepresentDucdeGuise，thesecondBalafre，whofellatthefootofthebednowoccupiedbyMaryStuartandFrancoisII。Thequeen’smaidsofhonorsurroundedthefireplaceoppositetothatwhereChristophewasbeing”talkedwith”bythecaptainoftheguard。Thissecondfireplacewasconsideredthe/chimneyofhonor/。ItwasbuiltinthethickwalloftheSalledeConseil，betweenthedooroftheroyalchamberandthatofthecouncil-hall，sothatthemaidsofhonorandthelordsinwaitingwhohadtherighttobetherewereonthedirectpassageofthekingandqueen。ThecourtierswerecertainonthisoccasionofseeingCatherine，forhermaidsofhonor，dressedliketherestofthecourtladies，inblack，cameupthestaircasefromthequeen-mother’sapartment，andtooktheirplaces，marshalledbytheComtessedeFiesque，onthesidetowardthecouncil-hallandoppositetothemaidsofhonoroftheyoungqueen，ledbytheDuchessedeGuise，whooccupiedtheothersideofthefireplaceonthesideoftheroyalbedroom。Thecourtiersleftanopenspacebetweentheranksoftheseyoungladieswhoallbelongedtothefirstfamiliesofthekingdom，whichnonebutthegreatestlordshadtherighttoenter。TheComtessedeFiesqueandtheDuchessedeGuisewere，invirtueoftheiroffice，seatedinthemidstofthesenoblemaids，whowereallstanding。
　　ThefirstgentlemanwhoapproachedthedangerousrankswastheDucd’Orleans，theking’sbrother，whohadcomedownfromhisapartmentonthethirdfloor，accompaniedbyMonsieurdeCypierre，hisgovernor。
　　Thisyoungprince，destinedbeforetheendoftheyeartoreignunderthetitleofCharlesIX。，wasonlytenyearsoldandextremelytimid。
　　TheDucd’AnjouandtheDucd’Alencon，hisyoungerbrothers，alsothePrincesseMarguerite，afterwardsthewifeofHenriIV。laReineMargot，weretooyoungtocometocourt，andwerethereforekeptbytheirmotherinherownapartments。TheDucd’Orleans，richlydressedafterthefashionofthetimes，insilkentrunk-hose，aclose-fittingjacketofclothofgoldembroideredwithblackflowers，andalittlemantleofembroideredvelvet，allblack，forhestillworemourningforhisfather，bowedtothetwoladiesofhonorandtookhisplacebesidehismother’smaids。AlreadyfullofantipathyfortheadherentsofthehouseofGuise，herepliedcoldlytotheremarksoftheduchessandleanedhisarmonthebackofthechairoftheComtessedeFiesque。Hisgovernor，MonsieurdeCypierre，oneofthenoblestcharactersofthatday，stoodbesidehimlikeashield。AmyotafterwardsBishopofAuxerreandtranslatorofPlutarch，inthesimplesoutaneofanabbe，alsoaccompaniedtheyoungprince，beinghistutor，ashewasofthetwootherprinces，whoseaffectionbecamesoprofitabletohim。
　　Betweenthe”chimneyofhonor”andtheotherchimneyattheendofthehall，aroundwhichweregroupedtheguards，theircaptain，afewcourtiers，andChristophecarryinghisboxoffurs，theChancellorOlivier，protectorandpredecessorofl’Hopital，intherobeswhichthechancellorsofFrancehavealwaysworn，waswalkingupanddownwiththeCardinaldeTournon，whohadrecentlyreturnedfromRome。Thepairwereexchangingafewwhisperedsentencesinthemidstofgreatattentionfromthelordsofthecourt，massedagainstthewallwhichseparatedthe/salledesgardes/fromtheroyalbedroom，likealivingtapestrybackedbytherichtapestryofartcrowdedbyathousandpersonages。Inspiteofthepresentgraveevents，thecourtpresentedtheappearanceofallcourtsinalllands，atallepochs，andinthemidstofthegreatestdangers。Thecourtierstalkedoftrivialmatters，thinkingofseriousones；theyjestedastheystudiedfaces，andapparentlyconcernedthemselvesaboutloveandthemarriageofrichheiressesamidthebloodiestcatastrophes。”Whatdidyouthinkofyesterday’sfete？”askedBourdeilles，seigneurofBrantome，approachingMademoiselledePiennes，oneofthequeen-
　　mother’smaidsofhonor。”MessieursduBaifetduBellaywereinspiredwithdelightfulideas，”
　　shereplied，indicatingtheorganizersofthefete，whowerestandingnear。”Ithoughtitallintheworsttaste，”sheaddedinalowvoice。”Youhadnoparttoplayinit，Ithink？”remarkedMademoiselledeLewistonfromtheoppositeranksofQueenMary’smaids。”Whatareyoureadingthere，madame？”askedAmyotoftheComtessedeFiesque。”’AmadisdeGaule，’bytheSeigneurdesEssarts，commissaryinordinarytotheking’sartillery，”shereplied。”Acharmingwork，”remarkedthebeautifulgirlwhowasafterwardssocelebratedunderthenameofFosseusewhenshewasladyofhonortoQueenMargueriteofNavarre。”Thestyleisanoveltyinform，”saidAmyot。”Doyouacceptsuchbarbarisms？”headded，addressingBrantome。”Theypleasetheladies，youknow，”saidBrantome，crossingovertotheDuchessedeGuise，whoheldthe”Decamerone”inherhand。”Someofthewomenofyourhousemustappearinthebook，madame，”hesaid。”ItisapitythattheSieurBoccacciodidnotliveinourday；hewouldhaveknownplentyofladiestoswellhisvolume——””HowshrewdthatMonsieurdeBrantomeis，”saidthebeautifulMademoiselledeLimueiltotheComtessedeFiesque；”hecametousfirst，buthemeanstoremainintheGuisequarters。””Hush！”saidMadamedeFiesqueglancingatthebeautifulLimueil。”Attendtowhatconcernsyourself。”
　　Theyounggirlturnedhereyestothedoor。ShewasexpectingSardini，anobleItalian，withwhomthequeen-mother，herrelative，marriedherafteran”accident”whichhappenedinthedressing-roomofCatherinede’Mediciherself；butwhichtheyoungladywonthehonorofhavingaqueenasmidwife。”BytheholyAlipantin！MademoiselleDavilaseemstomeprettierandprettiereverymorning，”saidMonsieurdeRobertet，secretaryofState，bowingtotheladiesofthequeen-mother。
　　ThearrivalofthesecretaryofStatemadenocommotionwhatever，thoughhisofficewaspreciselywhatthatofaministerisinthesedays。”Ifyoureallythinkso，monsieur，”saidthebeauty，”lendmethesquibwhichwaswrittenagainsttheMessieursdeGuise；Iknowitwaslenttoyou。””Itisnolongerinmypossession，”repliedthesecretary，turningroundtobowtotheDuchessedeGuise。”Ihaveit，”saidtheComtedeGrammonttoMademoiselleDavila，”butI
　　willgiveityouononeconditiononly。””Condition！fie！”exclaimedMadamedeFiesque。”Youdon’tknowwhatitis，”repliedGrammont。”Oh！itiseasytoguess，”remarkedlaLimueil。
　　TheItaliancustomofcallingladies，aspeasantscalltheirwives，”/la/Such-a-one”wasthenthefashionatthecourtofFrance。”Youaremistaken，”saidthecount，hastily，”thematterissimplytogivealetterfrommycousindeJarnactooneofthemaidsontheotherside，MademoiselledeMatha。””Youmustnotcompromisemyyoungladies，”saidtheComtessedeFiesque。”Iwilldeliverthelettermyself——DoyouknowwhatishappeninginFlanders？”shecontinued，turningtotheCardinaldeTournon。”ItseemsthatMonsieurd’Egmontisgiventosurprises。””HeandthePrinceofOrange，”remarkedCypierre，withasignificantshrugofhisshoulders。”TheDukeofAlbaandCardinalGranvellearegoingthere，aretheynot，monsieur？”saidAmyottotheCardinaldeTournon，whoremainedstanding，gloomyandanxiousbetweentheopposinggroupsafterhisconversationwiththechancellor。”Happilyweareatpeace；weneedonlyconquerheresyonthestage，”
　　remarkedtheyoungDucd’Orleans，alludingtoaparthehadplayedthenightbefore，——thatofaknightsubduingahydrawhichboreuponitsforeheadstheword”Reformation。”
　　Catherinede’Medici，agreeinginthiswithherdaughter-in-law，hadallowedatheatretobemadeofthegreathallafterwardsarrangedfortheParliamentofBlois，which，aswehavealreadysaid，connectedthechateauofFrancoisI。withthatofLouisXII。
　　ThecardinalmadenoanswertoAmyot’squestion，butresumedhiswalkthroughthecentreofthehall，talkinginlowtoneswithMonsieurdeRobertetandthechancellor。ManypersonsareignorantofthedifficultieswhichsecretariesofStatesubsequentlycalledministersmetwithatthefirstestablishmentoftheiroffice，andhowmuchtroublethekingsofFrancehadincreatingit。AtthisepochasecretaryofStatelikeRobertetwaspurelyandsimplyawriter；hecountedforalmostnothingamongtheprincesandgrandeeswhodecidedtheaffairsofState。Hisfunctionswerelittlemorethanthoseofthesuperintendentoffinances，thechancellor，andthekeeperoftheseals。Thekingsgrantedseatsatthecouncilbyletters-patenttothoseoftheirsubjectswhoseadviceseemedtothemusefulinthemanagementofpublicaffairs。EntrancetothecouncilwasgiveninthiswaytoapresidentoftheChamberofParliament，toabishop，ortoanuntitledfavorite。Onceadmittedtothecouncil，thesubjectstrengthenedhispositiontherebyobtainingvariouscrownofficesonwhichdevolvedsuchprerogativesastheswordofaConstable，thegovernmentofprovinces，thegrand-mastershipofartillery，thebatonofamarshal，aleadingrankinthearmy，ortheadmiralty，oracaptaincyofthegalleys，oftensomeofficeatcourt，likethatofgrand-masterofthehousehold，nowheld，aswehavealreadysaid，bytheDucdeGuise。”DoyouthinkthattheDucdeNemourswillmarryFrancoise？”saidMadamedeGuisetothetutoroftheDucd’Orleans。”Ah，madame，”hereplied，”IknownothingbutLatin。”
　　Thisanswermadeallwhowerewithinhearingofitsmile。TheseductionofFrancoisedeRohanbytheDucdeNemourswasthetopicofallconversations；but，asthedukewascousintoFrancoisII。，anddoublyalliedtothehouseofValoisthroughhismother，theGuisesregardedhimmoreastheseducedthantheseducer。Nevertheless，thepowerofthehouseofRohanwassuchthattheDucdeNemourswasobliged，afterthedeathofFrancoisII。，toleaveFranceonconsequenceofsuitsbroughtagainsthimbytheRohans；whichsuitstheGuisessettled。Theduke’smarriagewiththeDuchessedeGuiseafterPoltrot’sassassinationofherhusbandin1563，mayexplainthequestionwhichsheputtoAmyot，byrevealingtherivalrywhichmusthaveexistedbetweenMademoiselledeRohanandtheduchess。”Doseethatgroupofthediscontentedoverthere？”saidtheComtedeGrammont，motioningtowardtheMessieursdeColigny，theCardinaldeChatillon，Danville，Thore，Moret，andseveralotherseigneurssuspectedoftamperingwiththeReformation，whowerestandingbetweentwowindowsontheothersideofthefireplace。”TheHuguenotsarebestirringthemselves，”saidCypierre。”WeknowthatTheodoredeBezehasgonetoNeractoinducetheQueenofNavarretodeclarefortheReformers——byabjuringpublicly，”headded，lookingatthe/bailli/ofOrleans，whoheldtheofficeofchancellortotheQueenofNavarre，andwaswatchingthecourtattentively。”Shewilldoit！”saidthe/bailli/，dryly。
　　Thispersonage，theOrleansJacquesCoeur，oneoftherichestburghersoftheday，wasnamedGroslot，andhadchargeofJeanned’Albret’sbusinesswiththecourtofFrance。”Doyoureallythinkso？”saidthechancellorofFrance，appreciatingthefullimportanceofGroslot’sdeclaration。”Areyounotaware，”saidtheburgher，”thattheQueenofNavarrehasnothingofthewomaninherexceptsex？Sheiswhollyforthingsvirile；herpowerfulmindturnstothegreataffairsofState；herheartisinvincibleunderadversity。””Monsieurlecardinal，”whisperedtheChancellorOliviertoMonsieurdeTournon，whohadoverheardGroslot，”whatdoyouthinkofthataudacity？””TheQueenofNavarredidwellinchoosingforherchancelloramanfromwhomthehouseofLorraineborrowsmoney，andwhooffershishousetotheking，ifhisMajestyvisitsOrleans，”repliedthecardinal。
　　Thechancellorandthecardinallookedateachother，withoutventuringtofurthercommunicatetheirthoughts；butRobertetexpressedthem，forhethoughtitnecessarytoshowmoredevotiontotheGuisesthanthesegreatpersonages，inasmuchashewassmallerthanthey。”ItisagreatmisfortunethatthehouseofNavarre，insteadofabjuringthereligionofitsfathers，doesnotabjurethespiritofvengeanceandrebellionwhichtheConnetabledeBourbonbreathedintoit，”hesaidaloud。”WeshallseethequarrelsoftheArmagnacsandtheBourguignonsreviveinourday。””No，”saidGroslot，”there’sanotherLouisXI。intheCardinaldeLorraine。””AndalsoinQueenCatherine，”repliedRobertet。
　　AtthismomentMadameDayelle，thefavoritebedchamberwomanofQueenMaryStuart，crossedthehall，andwenttowardtheroyalchamber。Herpassagecausedageneralcommotion。”Weshallsoonenter，”saidMadamedeFisque。”Idon’tthinkso，”repliedtheDuchessedeGuise。”TheirMajestieswillcomeout；agrandcouncilistobeheld。”
　　VI
　　THELITTLELEVEROFFRANCOISII。
　　MadameDayelleglidedintotheroyalchamberafterscratchingonthedoor，——arespectfulcustom，inventedbyCatherinede’MediciandadoptedbythecourtofFrance。”Howistheweather，mydearDayelle？”saidQueenMary，showingherfreshyoungfaceoutofthebed，andshakingthecurtains。”Ah！madame——””What’sthematter，myDayelle？Youlookasifthearchersoftheguardwereafteryou。””Oh！madame，isthekingstillasleep？””Yes。””Wearetoleavethechateau；Monsieurlecardinalrequestsmetotellyouso，andtoaskyoutomakethekingagreetoit。”Doyouknowwhy，mygoodDayelle？””TheReformerswanttoseizeyouandcarryyouoff。””Ah！thatnewreligiondoesnotleavemeaminute’speace！IdreamedlastnightthatIwasinprison，——I，whowillsomedayunitethecrownsofthethreenoblestkingdomsintheworld！””Thereforeitcouldonlybeadream，madame。””Carrymeoff！well，’twouldberatherpleasant；butonaccountofreligion，andbyheretics——oh，thatwouldbehorrid。”
　　Thequeensprangfromthebedandplacedherselfinalargearm-chairofredvelvetbeforethefireplace，afterDayellehadgivenheradressing-gownofblackvelvet，whichshefastenedlooselyroundherwaistbyasilkencord。Dayellelitthefire，forthemorningsarecoolonthebanksoftheLoireinthemonthofMay。”Myunclesmusthavereceivedsomenewsduringthenight？”saidthequeen，inquiringlytoDayelle，whomshetreatedwithgreatfamiliarity。”MessieursdeGuisehavebeenwalkingtogetherfromearlymorningontheterrace，soasnottobeoverheardbyanyone；andtheretheyreceivedmessengers，whocameinhothastefromallthedifferentpointsofthekingdomwheretheReformersarestirring。Madamelareinemerewastheretoo，withherItalians，hopingshewouldbeconsulted；butno，shewasnotadmittedtothecouncil。””Shemusthavebeenfurious。””Allthemorebecauseshewassoangryyesterday，”repliedDayelle。”TheysaythatwhenshesawyourMajestyappearinthatbeautifuldressofwovengold，withthecharmingveiloftan-coloredcrape，shewasnonetoopleased——””Leaveus，mygoodDayelle，thekingiswakingup。Letnoone，eventhosewhohavethelittle/entrees/，disturbus；anaffairofStateisinhand，andmyuncleswillnotdisturbus。””Why！mydearMary，alreadyoutofbed？Isitdaylight？”saidtheyoungking，wakingup。”Mydeardarling，whilewewereasleepthewickedwaked，andnowtheyareforcingustoleavethisdelightfulplace。””Whatmakesyouthinkofwickedpeople，mytreasure？Iamsureweenjoyedtheprettiestfeteintheworldlastnight——ifitwerenotfortheLatinwordsthosegentlemenwillputintoourFrench。””Ah！”saidMary，”yourlanguageisreallyinverygoodtaste，andRabelaisexhibitsitfinely。””Youaresuchalearnedwoman！IamsovexedthatIcan’tsingyourpraisesinverse。IfIwerenottheking，Iwouldtakemybrother’stutor，Amyot，andlethimmakemeasaccomplishedasCharles。””Youneednotenvyyourbrother，whowritesversesandshowsthemtome，askingformineinreturn。Youarethebestofthefour，andwillmakeasgoodakingasyouarethedearestoflovers。Perhapsthatiswhyyourmotherdoesnotlikeyou！Butnevermind！I，dearheart，willloveyouforalltheworld。””Ihavenogreatmeritinlovingsuchaperfectqueen，”saidthelittleking。”Idon’tknowwhatpreventedmefromkissingyoubeforethewholecourtwhenyoudancedthe/branle/withthetorcheslastnight！Isawplainlythatalltheotherwomenweremereservantscomparedtoyou，mybeautifulMary。””Itmaybeonlyproseyouspeak，butitisravishingspeech，deardarling，foritislovethatsaysthosewords。Andyou——youknowwell，mybeloved，thatwereyouonlyapoorlittlepage，IshouldloveyouasmuchasIdonow。Andyet，thereisnothingsosweetastowhispertoone’sself:’Myloverisking！’””Oh！theprettyarm！Whymustwedressourselves？Ilovetopassmyfingersthroughyoursilkyhairandtangleitsblondcurls。Ahca！
　　sweetone，don’tletyourwomenkissthatprettythroatandthosewhiteshouldersanymore；don’tallowit，Isay。ItistoomuchthatthefogsofScotlandevertouchedthem！””Won’tyoucomewithmetoseemydearcountry？TheScotchloveyou；
　　therearenorebellions/there/！””Whorebelsinthisourkingdom？”saidFrancois，crossinghisdressing-gownandtakingMaryStuartonhisknee。”Oh！’tisallverycharming，Iknowthat，”shesaid，withdrawinghercheekfromtheking；”butitisyourbusinesstoreign，ifyouplease，mysweetsire。””Whytalkofreigning？ThismorningIwish——””Whysay/wish/whenyouhaveonlytowillall？That’snotthespeechofaking，northatofalover——Butnomoreoflovejustnow；letusdropit！Wehavebusinessmoreimportanttospeakof。””Oh！”criedtheking，”itislongsincewehavehadanybusiness。Isitamusing？””No，”saidMary，”notatall；wearetomovefromBlois。””I’llwager，darling，youhaveseenyouruncles，whomanagesowellthatI，atseventeenyearsofage，amnobetterthana/roifaineant/。
　　Infact，Idon’tknowwhyIhaveattendedanyofthecouncilssincethefirst。Theycouldmanagemattersjustaswellbyputtingthecrowninmychair；Iseeonlythroughtheireyes，andamforcedtoconsenttothingsblindly。””Oh！monsieur，”saidthequeen，risingfromtheking’skneewithalittleairofindignation，”yousaidyouwouldneverworrymeagainonthissubject，andthatmyunclesusedtheroyalpoweronlyforthegoodofyourpeople。Yourpeople！——theyaresonice！Theywouldgobbleyouuplikeastrawberryifyoutriedtorulethemyourself。Youwantawarrior，aroughmasterwithmailedhands；whereasyou——youareadarlingwhomIloveasyouare；whomIshouldneverloveotherwise，——
　　doyouhearme，monsieur？”sheadded，kissingtheforeheadofthelad，whoseemedinclinedtorebelatherspeech，butsoftenedatherkisses。”Oh！howIwishtheywerenotyouruncles！”criedFrancoisII。”I
　　particularlydislikethecardinal；andwhenheputsonhiswheedlingairandhissubmissivemannerandsaystome，bowing:’Sire，thehonorofthecrownandthefaithofyourfathersforbidyourMajestyto——
　　thisandthat，’IamsureheisworkingonlyforhiscursedhouseofLorraine。””Oh，howwellyoumimickedhim！”criedthequeen。”Butwhydon’tyoumaketheGuisesinformyouofwhatisgoingon，sothatwhenyouattainyourgrandmajorityyoumayknowhowtoreignyourself？Iamyourwife，andyourhonorismine。Trustme！wewillreigntogether，mydarling；butitwon’tbeabedofrosesforusuntilthedaycomeswhenwehaveourownwills。Thereisnothingsodifficultforakingastoreign。AmIaqueen，forexample？Don’tyouknowthatyourmotherreturnsmeevilforallthegoodmyunclesdotoraisethesplendorofyourthrone？Hey！whatdifferencebetweenthem！Myunclesaregreatprinces，nephewsofCharlemagne，filledwithardorandreadytodieforyou；whereasthisdaughterofadoctororashopkeeper，queenofFrancebyaccident，scoldslikeaburgher-womanwhocan’tmanageherownhousehold。Sheisdiscontentedbecauseshecan’tseteveryonebytheears；andthenshelooksatmewithasour，paleface，andsaysfromherpinchedlips:’Mydaughter，youareaqueen；I
　　amonlythesecondwomaninthekingdom’sheisreallyfurious，youknow，mydarling，’butifIwereinyourplaceIshouldnotwearcrimsonvelvetwhileallthecourtisinmourning；neithershouldI
　　appearinpublicwithmyownhairandnojewels，becausewhatisnotbecominginasimpleladyisstilllessbecominginaqueen。AlsoI
　　shouldnotdancemyself，Ishouldcontentmyselfwithseeingothersdance。’——thatiswhatshesaystome——””Heavens！”criedtheking，”IthinkIhearhercoming。Ifsheweretoknow——””Oh，howyoutremblebeforeher。Sheworriesyou。Onlysayso，andwewillsendheraway。Faith，she’sFlorentineandwecan’thelphertrickingyou，butwhenitcomestoworrying——””ForHeaven’ssake，Mary，holdyourtongue！”saidFrancois，frightenedandalsopleased；”Idon’twantyoutolosehergood-will。””Don’tbeafraidthatshewilleverbreakwith/me/，whowillsomedaywearthethreenoblestcrownsintheworld，mydearestlittleking，”
　　criedMaryStuart。”Thoughshehatesmeforathousandreasonssheisalwayscaressingmeinthehopeofturningmeagainstmyuncles。””Hatesyou！””Yes，myangel；andifIhadnotproofsofthatfeelingsuchaswomenonlyunderstand，fortheyaloneknowitsmalignity，Iwouldforgiveherperpetualoppositiontoourdearlove，mydarling。IsitmyfaultthatyourfathercouldnotendureMademoiselleMediciorthathissonlovesme？Thetruthis，shehatesmesomuchthatifyouhadnotputyourselfintoarage，weshouldeachhavehadourseparatechamberatSaint-Germain，andalsohere。ShepretendeditwasthecustomofthekingsandqueensofFrance。Custom，indeed！itwasyourfather’scustom，andthatiseasilyunderstood。Asforyourgrandfather，Francois，thegoodmansetupthecustomfortheconvenienceofhisloves。Therefore，Isay，takecare。Andifwehavetoleavethisplace，besurethatwearenotseparated。””LeaveBlois！Mary，whatdoyoumean？Idon’twishtoleavethisbeautifulchateau，wherewecanseetheLoireandthecountryallroundus，withatownatourfeetandalltheseprettygardens。IfI
　　goawayitwillbetoItalywithyou，toseeSt。Peter’s，andRaffaelle’spictures。””Andtheorange-trees？Oh！mydarlingking，ifyouknewthelongingyourMaryhastorambleamongtheorange-grovesinfruitandflower！””Letusgo，then！”criedtheking。”Go！”exclaimedthegrand-masterasheenteredtheroom。”Yes，sire，youmustleaveBlois。Pardonmyboldnessinenteringyourchamber；butcircumstancesarestrongerthanetiquette，andIcometoentreatyoutoholdacouncil。”
　　Findingthemselvesthussurprised，MaryandFrancoishastilyseparated，andontheirfaceswasthesameexpressionofoffendedroyalmajesty。”Youaretoomuchofagrand-master，MonsieurdeGuise，”saidtheking，thoughcontrollinghisanger。”Thedeviltakelovers，”murmuredthecardinalinCatherine’sear。”Myson，”saidthequeen-mother，appearingbehindthecardinal；”itisamatterconcerningyoursafetyandthatofyourkingdom。””Heresywakeswhileyouhaveslept，sire，”saidthecardinal。”Withdrawintothehall，”criedthelittleking，”andthenwewillholdacouncil。””Madame，”saidthegrand-mastertotheyoungqueen；”thesonofyourfurrierhasbroughtsomefurs，whichwasjustintimeforthejourney，foritisprobableweshallsaildowntheLoire。But，”headded，turningtothequeen-mother，”healsowishestospeaktoyou，madame。
　　Whilethekingdresses，youandMadamelareinehadbetterseeanddismisshim，sothatwemaynotbedelayedandharassedbythistrifle。””Certainly，”saidCatherine，thinkingtoherself，”Ifheexpectstogetridofmebyanysuchtrickhelittleknowsme。”
　　Thecardinalandthedukewithdrew，leavingthetwoqueensandthekingalonetogether。Astheycrossedthe/salledesgardes/toenterthecouncil-chamber，thegrand-mastertoldtheushertobringthequeen’sfurriertohim。WhenChristophesawtheusherapproachingfromthefartherendofthegreathall，hetookhim，onaccountofhisuniform，forsomegreatpersonage，andhisheartsankwithinhim。Butthatsensation，naturalasitwasattheapproachofthecriticalmoment，grewterriblewhentheusher，whosemovementhadattractedtheeyesofallthatbrilliantassemblyuponChristophe，hishomelyfaceandhisbundles，saidtohim:——”MesseigneurstheCardinaldeLorraineandtheGrand-masterwishtospeaktoyouinthecouncilchamber。””CanIhavebeenbetrayed？”thoughtthehelplessambassadoroftheReformers。
　　Christophefollowedtheusherwithloweredeyes，whichhedidnotraisetillhestoodinthegreatcouncil-chamber，thesizeofwhichisalmostequaltothatofthe/salledesgardes/。ThetwoLorrainprincesweretherealone，standingbeforethemagnificentfireplace，whichbacksagainstthatinthe/salledesgardes/aroundwhichtheladiesofthetwoqueensweregrouped。”YouhavecomefromParis；whichroutedidyoutake？”saidthecardinal。”Icamebywater，monseigneur，”repliedthereformer。”HowdidyouenterBlois？”askedthegrand-master。”Bythedocks，monseigneur。””Didnoonequestionyou？”exclaimedtheduke，whowaswatchingtheyoungmanclosely。”No，monseigneur。TothefirstsoldierwholookedasifhemeanttostopmeIsaidIcameondutytothetwoqueens，towhommyfatherwasfurrier。””WhatishappeninginParis？”askedthecardinal。”TheyarestilllookingforthemurdererofthePresidentMinard。””Areyounotthesonofmysurgeon’sgreatestfriend？”saidtheDucdeGuise，misledbythecandorofChristophe’sexpressionafterhisfirstalarmhadpassedaway。”Yes，monseigneur。”
　　TheGrand-masterturnedaside，abruptlyraisedtheportierewhichconcealedthedoubledoorofthecouncil-chamber，andshowedhisfacetothewholeassembly，amongwhomhewassearchingfortheking’ssurgeon。AmbroisePare，standinginacorner，caughtaglancewhichthedukecastuponhim，andimmediatelyadvanced。Ambroise，whoatthistimewasinclinedtothereformedreligion，eventuallyadoptedit；butthefriendshipoftheGuisesandthatofthekingsofFranceguaranteedhimagainsttheevilswhichovertookhisco-religionists。
　　Theduke，whoconsideredhimselfunderobligationsforlifetoAmbroisePare，hadlatelycausedhimtobeappointedchief-surgeontotheking。”Whatisit，monseigneur？”saidAmbroise。”Isthekingill？Ithinkitlikely。””Likely？Why？””Thequeenistoopretty，”repliedthesurgeon。”Ah！”exclaimedthedukeinastonishment。”However，thatisnotthematternow，”headdedafterapause。”Ambroise，Iwantyoutoseeafriendofyours。”Sosayinghedrewhimtothedoorofthecouncil-
　　room，andshowedhimChristophe。”Ha！true，monseigneur，”criedthesurgeon，extendinghishandtotheyoungfurrier。”Howisyourfather，mylad？””Verywell，MaitreAmbroise，”repliedChristophe。”Whatareyoudoingatcourt？”askedthesurgeon。”Itisnotyourbusinesstocarryparcels；yourfatherintendsyouforthelaw。Doyouwanttheprotectionofthesetwogreatprincestomakeyouasolicitor？””IndeedIdo！”saidChristophe；”butIamhereonlyintheinterestsofmyfather；andifyoucouldintercedeforus，pleasedoso，”headdedinapiteoustone；”andasktheGrandMasterforanordertopaycertainsumsthatareduetomyfather，forheisathiswit’sendjustnowformoney。”
　　Thecardinalandthedukeglancedateachotherandseemedsatisfied。”Nowleaveus，”saidtheduketothesurgeon，makinghimasign。”Andyoumyfriend，”turningtoChristophe；”doyourerrandquicklyandreturntoParis。Mysecretarywillgiveyouapass，foritisnotsafe，/mordieu/，tobetravellingonthehigh-roads！”
　　NeitherofthebrothersformedtheslightestsuspicionofthegraveimportanceofChristophe’serrand，convinced，astheynowwere，thathewasreallythesonofthegoodCatholicLecamus，thecourtfurrier，senttocollectpaymentfortheirwares。”Takehimclosetothedoorofthequeen’schamber；shewillprobablyaskforhimsoon，”saidthecardinaltothesurgeon，motioningtoChristophe。
　　Whilethesonofthefurrierwasundergoingthisbriefexaminationinthecouncil-chamber，theking，leavingthequeenincompanywithhermother-in-law，hadpassedintohisdressing-room，whichwasenteredthroughanothersmallroomnexttothechamber。
　　Standinginthewiderecessofanimmensewindow，Catherinelookedatthegardens，hermindapreytopainfulthoughts。Shesawthatinallprobabilityoneofthegreatestcaptainsoftheagewouldbefoistedthatverydayintotheplaceandpowerofherson，thekingofFrance，undertheformidabletitleoflieutenant-generalofthekingdom。
　　Beforethisperilshestoodalone，withoutpowerofaction，withoutdefence。Shemighthavebeenlikenedtoaphantom，asshestoodthereinhermourninggarmentswhichshehadnotquittedsincethedeathofHenriII。somotionlesswasherpallidfaceinthegraspofherbitterreflections。Herblackeyesfloatedinthatspeciesofindecisionforwhichgreatstatesmenaresooftenblamed，thoughitcomesfromthevastextentoftheglancewithwhichtheyembracealldifficulties，——settingoneagainsttheother，andaddingup，asitwere，allchancesbeforedecidingonacourse。Herearsrang，herbloodtingled，andyetshestoodtherecalmanddignified，allthewhilemeasuringinhersoulthedepthsofthepoliticalabysswhichlaybeforeher，likethenaturaldepthswhichrolledawayatherfeet。
　　ThisdaywasthesecondofthoseterribledaysthatofthearrestoftheVidameofChartresbeingthefirstwhichshewasdestinedtomeetinsogreatnumbersthroughoutherregallife；italsowitnessedherlastblunderintheschoolofpower。Thoughthesceptreseemedescapingfromherhands，shewishedtoseizeit；andshedidseizeitbyaflashofthatpowerofwillwhichwasneverrelaxedbyeitherthedisdainofherfather-in-law，FrancoisI。，andhiscourt，——where，inspiteofherrankofdauphiness，shehadbeenofnoaccount，——ortheconstantrepulsesofherhusband，HenriII。，andtheterribleoppositionofherrival，DianedePoitiers。Amanwouldneverhavefathomedthisthwartedqueen；butthefair-hairedMary——sosubtle，soclever，sogirlish，andalreadysowell-trained——examinedheroutofthecornersofhereyesasshehummedanItalianairandassumedacarelesscountenance。WithoutbeingabletoguessthestormsofrepressedambitionwhichsentthedewofacoldsweattotheforeheadoftheFlorentine，theprettyScotchgirl，withherwilful，piquantface，knewverywellthattheadvancementofheruncletheDucdeGuisetothelieutenant-generalshipofthekingdomwasfillingthequeen-motherwithinwardrage。Nothingamusedhermorethantowatchhermother-in-law，inwhomshesawonlyanintriguingwomanoflowbirth，alwaysreadytoavengeherself。Thefaceoftheonewasgraveandgloomy，andsomewhatterrible，byreasonofthelividtoneswhichtransformtheskinofItalianwomentoyellowivorybydaylight，thoughitrecoversitsdazzlingbrilliancyundercandlelight；thefaceoftheotherwasfairandfreshandgay。Atsixteen，MaryStuart’sskinhadthatexquisiteblondwhitenesswhichmadeherbeautysocelebrated。Herfreshandpiquantface，withitspurelines，shonewiththeroguishmischiefofchildhood，expressedintheregulareyebrows，thevivaciouseyes，andthearchnessoftheprettymouth。
　　Alreadyshedisplayedthosefelinegraceswhichnothing，notevencaptivitynorthesightofherdreadfulscaffold，couldlessen。Thetwoqueens——oneatthedawn，theotherinthemidsummeroflife——
　　presentedatthismomenttheutmostcontrast。Catherinewasanimposingqueen，animpenetrablewidow，withoutotherpassionthanthatofpower。Marywasalight-hearted，carelessbride，makingplaythingsofhertriplecrowns。Oneforebodedgreatevils，——foreseeingtheassassinationoftheGuisesastheonlymeansofsuppressingenemieswhowereresolvedtoriseabovetheThroneandtheParliament；
　　foreseeingalsothebloodshedofalongandbitterstruggle；whiletheotherlittleanticipatedherownjudicialmurder。AsuddenandstrangereflectioncalmedthemindoftheItalian。”ThatsorceressandRuggierobothdeclarethisreigniscomingtoanend；mydifficultieswillnotlastlong，”shethought。
　　Andso，strangelyenough，anoccultscienceforgotteninourday——thatofastrology——supportedCatherineatthismoment，asitdid，infact，throughoutherlife；for，asshewitnessedtheminutefulfilmentofthepropheciesofthosewhopractisedtheart，herbeliefinitsteadilyincreased。”Youareverygloomy，madame，”saidMaryStuart，takingfromthehandsofherwaiting-woman，Dayelle，alittlecapandplacingthepointofitonthepartingofherhair，whiletwowingsofrichlacesurroundedthetuftsofblondcurlswhichclusteredonhertemples。
　　Thepencilofmanypaintershavesofrequentlyrepresentedthishead-
　　dressthatitisthoughttohavebelongedexclusivelytoMaryQueenofScots；whereasitwasreallyinventedbyCatherinede’Medici，whensheputonmourningforHenriII。Butsheneverknewhowtowearitwiththegraceofherdaughter-in-law，towhomitwasbecoming。Thisannoyancewasnottheleastamongthemanywhichthequeen-mothercherishedagainsttheyoungqueen。”Isthequeenreprovingme？”saidCatherine，turningtoMary。”Ioweyouallrespect，andshouldnotdaretodoso，”saidtheScottishqueen，maliciously，glancingatDayelle。
　　Placedbetweentherivalqueens，thefavoritewaiting-womanstoodrigidasanandiron；asmileofcomprehensionmighthavecostherherlife。”CanIbeasgayasyou，afterlosingthelateking，andnowbeholdingmyson’skingdomabouttoburstintoflames？””Publicaffairsdonotconcernwomen，”saidMaryStuart。”Besides，myunclesarethere。”
　　Thesewordswere，underthecircumstances，likesomanypoisonedarrows。”Letuslookatourfurs，madame，”repliedtheItalian，sarcastically；”thatwillemployusonourlegitimatefemaleaffairswhileyourunclesdecidethoseofthekingdom。””Oh！butwewillgotheCouncil，madame；weshallbemoreusefulthanyouthink。””We！”saidCatherine，withanairofastonishment。”ButIdonotunderstandLatin，myself。””Youthinkmeverylearned，”criedMaryStuart，laughing，”butI
　　assureyou，madame，IstudyonlytoreachtheleveloftheMedici，andlearnhowto/cure/thewoundsofthekingdom。”
　　Catherinewassilencedbythissharpthrust，whichreferredtotheoriginoftheMedici，whoweredescended，somesaid，fromadoctorofmedicine，othersfromarichdruggist。Shemadenodirectanswer。
　　Dayellecoloredashermistresslookedather，askingfortheapplausethatevenqueensdemandfromtheirinferiorsiftherearenootherspectators。”Yourcharmingspeeches，madame，willunfortunatelycurethewoundsofneitherChurchnorState，”saidCatherineatlast，withhercalmandcolddignity。”Thescienceofmyfathersinthatdirectiongavethemthrones；whereasifyoucontinuetotrifleinthemidstofdangeryouareliabletoloseyours。”
　　ItwasatthismomentthatAmbroisePare，thechiefsurgeon，scratchedsoftlyonthedoor，andMadameDayelle，openingit，admittedChristophe。
　　VII
　　ADRAMAINASURCOAT
　　TheyoungreformerintendedtostudyCatherine’sface，allthewhileaffectinganaturalembarrassmentatfindinghimselfinsuchaplace；
　　buthisproceedingsweremuchhastenedbytheeagernesswithwhichtheyoungerqueendartedtothecartonstoseehersurcoat。”Madame，”saidChristophe，addressingCatherine。
　　HeturnedhisbackontheotherqueenandonDayelle，instantlyprofitingbytheattentionthetwowomenwereeagertobestowuponthefurstoplayaboldstroke。”Whatdoyouwantofme？”saidCatherinegivinghimasearchinglook。
　　ChristophehadputthetreatyproposedbythePrincedeConde，theplanoftheReformers，andthedetailoftheirforcesinhisbosombetweenhisshirtandhisclothjacket，foldingthem，however，withinthebillwhichCatherineowedtothefurrier。”Madame，”hesaid，”myfatherisinhorribleneedofmoney，andifyouwilldeigntocastyoureyesoveryourbill，”hereheunfoldedthepaperandputthetreatyonthetopofit，”youwillseethatyourMajestyoweshimsixthousandcrowns。Havethegoodnesstotakepityonus。See，madame！”andheheldthetreatyouttoher。”Readit；theaccountdatesfromthetimethelatekingcametothethrone。”
　　Catherinewasbewilderedbythepreambleofthetreatywhichmethereye，butshedidnotloseherhead。Shefoldedthepaperquickly，admiringtheaudacityandpresenceofmindoftheyouth，andfeelingsurethatafterperformingsuchamasterlystrokehewouldnotfailtounderstandher。Shethereforetappedhimontheheadwiththefoldedpaper，saying:——”Itisveryclumsyofyou，mylittlefriend，topresentyourbillbeforethefurs。Learntoknowwomen。Youmustneveraskustopayuntilthemomentwhenwearesatisfied。””Isthattraditional？”saidtheyoungqueen，turningtohermother-in-
　　law，whomadenoreply。”Ah，mesdames，prayexcusemyfather，”saidChristophe。”Ifhehadnothadsuchneedofmoneyyouwouldnothavehadyourfursatall。Thecountryisinarms，andtherearesomanydangerstoruningettingherethatnothingbutourgreatdistresswouldhavebroughtme。Noonebutmewaswillingtoriskthem。””Theladisnewtohisbusiness，”saidMaryStuart，smiling。
　　Itmaynotbeuseless，fortheunderstandingofthistrifling，butveryimportantscene，toremarkthatasurcoatwas，asthenameimplies/surcotte/，aspeciesofclose-fittingspencerwhichwomenworeovertheirbodiesanddowntotheirthighs，definingthefigure。
　　Thisgarmentprotectedtheback，chest，andthroatfromcold。Thesesurcoatswerelinedwithfur，abandofwhich，wideornarrowasthecasemightbe，borderedtheoutermaterial。MaryStuart，asshetriedthegarmenton，lookedatherselfinalargeVenetianmirrortoseetheeffectbehind，thusleavinghermother-in-lawanopportunitytoexaminethepapers，thebulkofwhichmighthaveexcitedtheyoungqueen’ssuspicionshadshenoticedit。”Nevertellwomenofthedangersyouhaverunwhenyouhavecomeoutofthemsafeandsound，”shesaid，turningtoshowherselftoChristophe。”Ah！madame，Ihaveyourbill，too，”hesaid，lookingatherwithwell-playedsimplicity。
　　Theyoungqueeneyedhim，butdidnottakethepaper；andshenoticed，thoughwithoutatthemomentdrawinganyconclusions，thathehadtakenherbillfromhispocket，whereashehadcarriedQueenCatherine’sinhisbosom。Neitherdidshefindinthelad’seyesthatglanceofadmirationwhichherpresenceinvariablyexcitedinallbeholders。Butshewassoengrossedbyhersurcoatthat，forthemoment，shedidnotaskherselfthemeaningofsuchindifference。”Takethebill，Dayelle，”shesaidtoherwaiting-woman；”giveittoMonsieurdeVersaillesLomenieandtellhimfrommetopayit。””Oh！madame，”saidChristophe，”ifyoudonotaskthekingormonseigneurthegrand-mastertosignmeanorderyourgraciouswordwillhavenoeffect。””Youarerathermoreeagerthanbecomesasubject，myfriend，”saidMaryStuart。”Doyounotbelievemyroyalword？”
　　Thekingnowappeared，insilkstockingsandtrunk-hosethebreechesofthatperiod，butwithouthisdoubletandmantle；hehad，however，arichloosecoatofvelvetedgedwithminever。”Whoisthewretchwhodarestodoubtyourword？”hesaid，overhearing，inspiteofhisdistance，hiswife’slastwords。
　　Thedoorofthedressing-roomwashiddenbytheroyalbed。Thisroomwasafterwardscalled”theoldcabinet，”todistinguishitfromthefinecabinetofpictureswhichHenriIII。constructedatthefartherendofthesamesuiteofrooms，nexttothehalloftheStates-
　　general。ItwasintheoldcabinetthatHenriIII。hidthemurdererswhenhesentfortheDucdeGuise，whilehehimselfremainedhiddeninthenewcabinetduringthemurder，onlyemergingintimetoseetheoverbearingsubjectforwhomtherewerenolongerprisons，tribunals，judges，norevenlaws，drawhislastbreath。Wereitnotfortheseterriblecircumstancesthehistorianofto-daycouldhardlytracetheformeroccupationofthesecabinets，nowfilledwithsoldiers。A
　　quartermasterwritestohismistressontheveryspotwherethepensiveCatherineoncedecidedonhercoursebetweentheparties。”Comewithme，myfriend，”saidthequeen-mother，”andIwillseethatyouarepaid。Commercemustlive，andmoneyisitsbackbone。””Go，mylad，”criedtheyoungqueen，laughing；”myaugustmotherknowsmorethanIdoaboutcommerce。”
　　Catherinewasabouttoleavetheroomwithoutreplyingtothislasttaunt；butsherememberedthatherindifferencetoitmightprovokesuspicion，andsheansweredhastily:——”Butyou，mydear，understandthebusinessoflove。”
　　Thenshedescendedtoherownapartments。”Putawaythesefurs，Dayelle，andletusgototheCouncil，monsieur，”saidMarytotheyoungking，enchantedwiththeopportunityofdecidingintheabsenceofthequeen-mothersoimportantaquestionasthelieutenant-generalshipofthekingdom。
　　MaryStuarttooktheking’sarm。Dayellewentoutbeforethem，whisperingtothepages；oneofwhomitwasyoungTeligny，whoafterwardsperishedsomiserablyduringtheSaint-Bartholomewcriedout:——”Theking！”
　　Hearingthewords，thetwosoldiersoftheguardpresentedarms，andthetwopageswentforwardtothedooroftheCouncil-roomthroughthelaneofcourtiersandthatofthemaidsofhonorofthetwoqueens。
　　AllthemembersoftheCouncilthengroupedthemselvesaboutthedooroftheirchamber，whichwasnotveryfarfromthedoortothestaircase。Thegrand-master，thecardinal，andthechancelloradvancedtomeettheyoungsovereign，whosmiledtoseveralofthemaidsofhonorandrepliedtotheremarksofafewcourtiersmoreprivilegedthantherest。Butthequeen，evidentlyimpatient，drewFrancoisII。
　　asquicklyaspossibletowardtheCouncil-chamber。Whenthesoundofarquebuses，droppingheavilyonthefloor，hadannouncedtheentranceofthecouple，thepagesreplacedtheircapsupontheirheads，andtheprivatetalkamongthecourtiersonthegravityofthemattersnowabouttobediscussedbeganagain。”TheysentChivernitofetchtheConnetable，buthehasnotcome，”
　　saidone。”Thereisnotasingleprinceofthebloodpresent，”saidanother。”ThechancellorandMonsieurdeTournonlookedanxious，”remarkedathird。”Thegrand-mastersentwordtothekeeperofthesealstobesurenottomissthisCouncil；thereforeyoumaybecertaintheywillissueletters-patent。””Whydoesthequeen-motherstayinherownapartmentsatsuchatime？””They’llcutoutplentyofworkforus，”remarkedGroslottoCardinaldeChatillon。
　　Inshort，everybodyhadawordtosay。Somewentandcame，inandoutofthegreathall；othershoveredaboutthemaidsofhonorofbothqueens，asifitmightbepossibletocatchafewwordsthroughawallthreefeetthickorthroughthedoubledoorsdrapedoneachsidewithheavycurtains。
　　Seatedattheupperendofalongtablecoveredwithbluevelvet，whichstoodinthemiddleoftheroom，theking，neartowhomtheyoungqueenwasseatedinanarm-chair，waitedforhismother。
　　Robertet，thesecretary，wasmendingpens。Thetwocardinals，thegrand-master，thechancellor，thekeeperoftheseals，andalltherestofthecouncillookedatthelittleking，wonderingwhyhedidnotgivethemtheusualordertositdown。
　　ThetwoLorrainprincesattributedthequeen-mother’sabsencetosometrickoftheirniece。Incitedpresentlybyasignificantglance，theaudaciouscardinalsaidtohisMajesty:——”Isittheking’sgoodpleasuretobeginthecouncilwithoutwaitingforMadamelareine-mere？”
　　FrancoisII。，withoutdaringtoanswerdirectly，said:”Messieurs，beseated。”
　　Thecardinalthenexplainedsuccinctlythedangersofthesituation。
　　Thisgreatpoliticalcharacter，whoshowedextraordinaryabilityunderthesepressingcircumstances，leduptothequestionofthelieutenancyofthekingdominthemidstofthedeepestsilence。Theyoungkingdoubtlessfeltthetyrannythatwasbeingexercisedoverhim；heknewthathismotherhadadeepsenseoftherightsoftheCrownandwasfullyawareofthedangerthatthreatenedhispower；hethereforerepliedtoapositivequestionaddressedtohimbythecardinalbysaying:——”Wewillwaitforthequeen，mymother。”
　　Suddenlyenlightenedbythequeen-mother’sdelay，MaryStuartrecalled，inaflashofthought，threecircumstanceswhichnowstruckhervividly；first，thebulkofthepaperspresentedtohermother-in-
　　law，whichshehadnoticed，absorbedasshewas，——forawomanwhoseemstoseenothingisoftenalynx；next，theplacewhereChristophehadcarriedthemtokeepthemseparatefromhers:”Whyso？”shethoughttoherself；andthirdly，sherememberedthecold，indifferentglanceoftheyoungman，whichshesuddenlyattributedtothehatredoftheReformerstoanieceoftheGuises。Avoicecriedtoher，”HemayhavebeenanemissaryoftheHuguenots！”Obeying，likeallexcitablenatures，herfirstimpulse，sheexclaimed:——”Iwillgoandfetchmymothermyself！”
　　Thenshelefttheroomhurriedly，randownthestaircase，totheamazementofthecourtiersandtheladiesofhonor，enteredhermother-in-law’sapartments，crossedtheguard-room，openedthedoorofthechamberwiththecautionofathief，glidedlikeashadowoverthecarpet，sawnoone，andbethoughtherthatsheshouldsurelysurprisethequeen-motherinthatmagnificentdressing-roomwhichcomesbetweenthebedroomandtheoratory。Thearrangementofthisoratory，towhichthemannersofthatperiodgavearoleinprivatelifelikethatoftheboudoirsofourday，canstillbetraced。
　　Byanalmostinexplicablechance，whenweconsiderthestateofdilapidationintowhichtheCrownhasallowedthechateauofBloistofall，theadmirablewoodworkofCatherine’scabinetstillexists；andinthosedelicatelycarvedpanels，personsinterestedinsuchthingsmaystillseetracesofItaliansplendor，anddiscoverthesecrethiding-placesemployedbythequeen-mother。Anexactdescriptionofthesecuriousarrangementsisnecessaryinordertogiveaclearunderstandingofwhatwasnowtohappen。Thewoodworkoftheoratorythenconsistedofaboutahundredandeightyoblongpanels，onehundredofwhichstillexist，allpresentingarabesquesofdifferentdesigns，evidentlysuggestedbythemostbeautifularabesquesofItaly。Thewoodislive-oak。Theredtones，seenthroughthelayerofwhitewashputontoavertcholerauselessprecaution！，showsveryplainlythatthegroundofthepanelswasformerlygilt。Certainportionsofthedesign，visiblewherethewashhasfallenaway，seemtoshowthattheyoncedetachedthemselvesfromthegildedgroundincolors，eitherblue，orred，orgreen。Themultitudeofthesepanelsshowsanevidentintentiontofoilasearch；butevenifthiscouldbedoubted，theconciergeofthechateau，whiledevotingthememoryofCatherinetotheexecrationofthehumanityofourday，showsatthebaseofthesepanelsandclosetotheflooraratherheavyfoot-board，whichcanbelifted，andbeneathwhichstillremaintheingeniousspringswhichmovethepanels。Bypressingaknobthushidden，thequeenwasabletoopencertainpanelsknowntoheralone，behindwhich，sunkinthewall，werehiding-places，oblonglikethepanels，andmoreorlessdeep。Itisdifficult，eveninthesedaysofdilapidation，forthebest-trainedeyetodetectwhichofthosepanelsisthushinged；butwhentheeyewasdistractedbycolorsandgilding，cleverlyusedtoconcealthejoints，wecanreadilyconceivethattofindoneortwosuchpanelsamongtwohundredwasalmostanimpossiblething。
　　AtthemomentwhenMaryStuartlaidherhandonthesomewhatcomplicatedlockofthedoorofthisoratory，thequeen-mother，whohadjustbecomeconvincedofthegreatnessofthePrincedeConde’splans，hadtouchedthespringhiddenbeneaththefoot-board，andoneofthemysteriouspanelshadturnedoveronitshinges。Catherinewasintheactofliftingthepapersfromthetabletohidethem，intendingafterthattosecurethesafetyofthedevotedmessengerwhohadbroughtthemtoher，when，hearingthesuddenopeningofthedoor，sheatonceknewthatnonebutQueenMaryherselfwoulddarethustoenterwithoutannouncement。”Youarelost！”shesaidtoChristophe，perceivingthatshecouldnolongerputawaythepapers，norclosewithsufficientrapiditytheopenpanel，thesecretofwhichwasnowbetrayed。
　　Christopheansweredherwithaglancethatwassublime。”/Poveromio/！”saidCatherine，beforeshelookedatherdaughter-in-
　　law。”Treason，madame！Iholdthetraitorsatlast，”shecried。”Sendforthedukeandthecardinal；andseethatthatman，”pointingtoChristophe，”doesnotescape。”
　　Inaninstanttheablewomanhadseenthenecessityofsacrificingthepooryouth。Shecouldnothidehim；itwasimpossibletosavehim。
　　Eightdaysearlieritmighthavebeendone；buttheGuisesnowknewoftheplot；theymustalreadypossessthelistssheheldinherhand，andwereevidentlydrawingtheReformersintoatrap。Thus，rejoicedtofindintheseadversariestheveryspiritshedesiredthemtohave，herpolicynowledhertomakeameritofthediscoveryoftheirplot。
　　Thesehorriblecalculationsweremadeduringtherapidmomentwhiletheyoungqueenwasopeningthedoor。MaryStuartstooddumbforaninstant；thegaylooklefthereyes，whichtookontheacutenessthatsuspiciongivestotheeyesofall，andwhich，inhers，becameterriblefromthesuddennessofthechange。SheglancedfromChristophetothequeen-motherandfromthequeen-motherbacktoChristophe，——herfaceexpressingmalignantdoubt。Thensheseizedabell，atthesoundofwhichoneofthequeen-mother’smaidsofhonorcamerunningin。”MademoiselleduRouet，sendforthecaptainoftheguard，”saidMaryStuarttothemaidofhonor，contrarytoalletiquette，whichwasnecessarilyviolatedunderthecircumstances。
　　Whiletheyoungqueengavethisorder，CatherinelookedintentlyatChristophe，asifsayingtohim，”Courage！”
　　TheReformerunderstood，andrepliedbyanotherglance，whichseemedtosay，”Sacrificeme，as/they/havesacrificedme！””Relyonme，”saidCatherinebyagesture。Thensheabsorbedherselfinthedocumentsasherdaughter-in-lawturnedtohim。”YoubelongtotheReformedreligion？”inquiredMaryStuartofChristophe。”Yes，madame，”heanswered。”Iwasnotmistaken，”shemurmuredassheagainnoticedintheeyesoftheyoungReformerthesamecoldglanceinwhichdislikewashiddenbeneathanexpressionofhumility。
　　Pardaillansuddenlyappeared，sentbythetwoLorrainprincesandbythekingtoescortthequeens。ThecaptainoftheguardcalledforbyMaryStuartfollowedtheyoungofficer，whowasdevotedtotheGuises。”Goandtellthekingandthegrand-masterandthecardinal，fromme，tocomehereatonce，andsaythatIshouldnottakethelibertyofsendingforthemifsomethingoftheutmostimportancehadnotoccurred。Go，Pardaillan——Asforyou，Lewiston，keepguardoverthattraitorofaReformer，”shesaidtotheScotchmaninhismother-
　　tongue，pointingtoChristophe。
　　Theyoungqueenandqueen-mothermaintainedatotalsilenceuntilthearrivalofthekingandprinces。Themomentsthatelapsedwereterrible。
　　MaryStuarthadbetrayedtohermother-in-law，initsfullestextent，thepartheruncleswereinducinghertoplay；herconstantandhabitualdistrustandespionagewerenowrevealed，andheryoungconsciencetoldherhowdishonoringtoagreatqueenwastheworkthatshewasdoing。Catherine，ontheotherhand，hadyieldedoutoffear；
　　shewasstillafraidofbeingrightlyunderstood，andshetrembledforherfuture。Bothwomen，oneashamedandangry，theotherfilledwithhatredandyetcalm，wenttotheembrasureofthewindowandleanedagainstthecasing，onetoright，theothertoleft，silent；buttheirfeelingswereexpressedinsuchspeakingglancesthattheyavertedtheireyesand，withmutualartfulness，gazedthroughthewindowatthesky。Thesetwogreatandsuperiorwomenhad，atthiscrisis，nogreaterartofbehaviorthanthevulgarestoftheirsex。Perhapsitisalwaysthuswhencircumstancesarisewhichoverwhelmthehumanbeing。
　　Thereis，inevitably，amomentwhengeniusitselffeelsitslittlenessinpresenceofgreatcatastrophes。
　　AsforChristophe，hewaslikeamanintheactofrollingdownaprecipice。Lewiston，theScotchcaptain，listenedtothissilence，watchingthesonofthefurrierandthetwoqueenswithsoldierlycuriosity。TheentranceofthekingandMaryStuart’stwounclesputanendtothepainfulsituation。