ThispersonagewasnootherthanthefamousRuggiero，astrologertothequeen-mother。Tourillonwentbelowtohisownapartment，feelingconvincedthathewasonetoomanyinthatofhisguest。”Wherecanwetalkwithoutdangerofbeingoverheard？”saidthecautiousFlorentine。”Weoughttobeintheopenfieldsforthat，”repliedLecamus。”Butwearenotallowedtoleavethetown；youknowtheseveritywithwhichthegatesareguarded。NoonecanleaveOrleanswithoutapassfromMonsieurdeCypierre，”headded，——”notevenI，whoamamemberoftheStates-general。Complaintistobemadeatto-morrow’ssessionofthisrestrictionofliberty。””Worklikeamole，butdon’tletyourpawsbeseeninanything，nomatterwhat，”saidthewaryItalian。”To-morrowwill，nodoubt，proveadecisiveday。Judgingbymyobservations，youmay，perhaps，recoveryoursonto-morrow，orthedayafter。””MayGodhearyou——youwhoarethoughttotrafficwiththedevil！””Cometomyplace，”saidtheastrologer，smiling。”IliveinthetowerofSieurTouchetdeBeauvais，thelieutenantoftheBailliage，whosedaughterthelittleDucd’Orleanshastakensuchafancyto；itistherethatIobservetheplanets。Ihavedrawnthegirl’shoroscope，anditsaysthatshewillbecomeagreatladyandbebelovedbyaking。Thelieutenant，herfather，isacleverman；helovesscience，andthequeensentmetolodgewithhim。HehashadthesensetobearabidGuisistwhileawaitingthereignofCharlesIX。”
　　ThefurrierandtheastrologerreachedthehouseoftheSieurdeBeauvaiswithoutbeingmetorevenseen；but，incaseLecamus’visitshouldbediscovered，theFlorentineintendedtogiveapretextofanastrologicalconsultationonhisson’sfate。Whentheyweresafelyatthetopofthetower，wheretheastrologerdidhiswork，Lecamussaidtohim:——”Ismysonreallyliving？””Yes，hestilllives，”repliedRuggiero；”andthequestionnowishowtosavehim。Rememberthis，sellerofskins，IwouldnotgivetwofarthingsforyoursifeverinallyourlifeasinglesyllableshouldescapeyouofwhatIamabouttosay。””Thatisauselesscaution，myfriend；IhavebeenfurriertothecourtsincethetimeofthelateLouisXII。；thisisthefourthreignthatIhaveseen。””Andyoumaysoonseethefifth，”remarkedRuggiero。”Whatdoyouknowaboutmyson？””Hehasbeenputtothequestion。””Poorboy！”saidtheoldman，raisinghiseyestoheaven。”Hiskneesandankleswereabitinjured，buthehaswonaroyalprotectionwhichwillextendoverhiswholelife，”saidtheFlorentinehastily，seeingtheterrorofthepoorfather。”YourlittleChristophehasdoneaservicetoourgreatqueen，Catherine。IfwemanagetopullhimoutoftheclawsoftheGuisesyouwillseehimsomedaycouncillortotheParliament。Anymanwouldgladlyhavehisbonescrackedthreetimesovertostandsohighinthegoodgracesofthisdearsovereign，——agrandandnoblegenius，whowilltriumphintheendoverallobstacles。IhavedrawnthehoroscopeoftheDucdeGuise；hewillbekilledwithinayear。Well，soChristophesawthePrincedeConde——””Youwhoreadthefutureoughttoknowthepast，”saidthefurrier。”Mygoodman，Iamnotquestioningyou，Iamtellingyouafact。Now，ifyourson，whowillto-morrowbeplacedintheprince’swayashepasses，shouldrecognizehim，oriftheprinceshouldrecognizeyourson，theheadofMonsieurdeCondewillfall。Godknowswhatwillbecomeofhisaccomplice！However，don’tbealarmed。Neitheryoursonnortheprincewilldie；Ihavedrawntheirhoroscope，——theywilllive；butIdonotknowinwhatwaytheywillgetoutofthisaffair。
　　Withoutdistrustingthecertaintyofmycalculations，wemustdosomethingtobringaboutresults。To-morrowtheprincewillreceive，fromsurehands，aprayer-bookinwhichweconveytheinformationtohim。Godgrantthatyoursonbecautious，forhimwecannotwarn。A
　　singleglanceofrecognitionwillcosttheprince’slife。Therefore，althoughthequeen-motherhaseveryreasontotrustinChristophe’sfaithfulness——””They’veputittoacrueltest！”criedthefurrier。”Don’tspeakso！Doyouthinkthequeen-motherisonabedofroses？
　　SheistakingmeasuresasiftheGuiseshadalreadydecidedonthedeathoftheprince，andrightsheis，thewiseandprudentqueen！Nowlistentome；shecountsonyoutohelpherinallthings。Youhavesomeinfluencewiththe/tiers-etat/，whereyourepresentthebodyoftheguildsofParis，andthoughtheGuisardsmaypromiseyoutosetyoursonatliberty，trytofoolthemandmaintaintheindependenceoftheguilds。Demandthequeen-motherasregent；thekingofNavarrewillpubliclyaccepttheproposalatthesessionoftheStates-
　　general。””Buttheking？””Thekingwilldie，”repliedRuggiero；”Ihavereadhishoroscope。
　　Whatthequeen-motherrequiresyoutodoforherattheStates-generalisaverysimplething；butthereisafargreaterservicewhichsheasksofyou。YouhelpedAmbroisePareinhisstudies，youarehisfriend——””AmbroisenowlovestheDucdeGuisemorethanhelovesme；andheisright，forheoweshisplacetohim。Besides，heisfaithfultotheking。ThoughheinclinestotheReformedreligion，hewillneverdoanythingagainsthisduty。””Cursethesehonestmen！”criedtheFlorentine。”Ambroiseboastedthiseveningthathecouldbringthelittlekingsafelythroughhispresentillnessforheisreallyill。Ifthekingrecovershishealth，theGuisestriumph，theprincesdie，thehouseofBourbonbecomesextinct，weshallreturntoFlorence，yoursonwillbehanged，andtheLorrainswilleasilygetthebetteroftheothersonsofFrance——””GreatGod！”exclaimedLecamus。”Don’tcryoutinthatway，——itislikeaburgherwhoknowsnothingofthecourt，——butgoatoncetoAmbroiseandfindoutfromhimwhatheintendstodotosavetheking’slife。Ifthereisanythingdecidedon，comebacktomeatonce，andtellmethetreatmentinwhichhehassuchfaith。””But——”saidLecamus。”Obeyblindly，mydearfriend；otherwiseyouwillgetyourmindbewildered。””Heisright，”thoughtthefurrier。”Ihadbetternotknowmore”；andhewentatonceinsearchoftheking’ssurgeon，wholivedatahostelryintheplaceduMartroi。
　　Catherinede’MediciwasatthismomentinapoliticalextremityverymuchlikethatinwhichpoorChristophehadseenheratBlois。Thoughshehadbeeninawaytrainedbythestruggle，thoughshehadexercisedherloftyintellectbythelessonsofthatfirstdefeat，herpresentsituation，whilenearlythesame，hadbecomemorecritical，moreperilousthanitwasatAmboise。Events，likethewomanherself，hadmagnified。ThoughsheseemedtobeinfullaccordancewiththeGuises，Catherineheldinherhandthethreadsofawiselyplannedconspiracyagainstherterribleassociates，andwasonlyawaitingapropitiousmomenttothrowoffthemask。ThecardinalhadjustobtainedthepositivecertaintythatCatherinewasdeceivinghim。HersubtleItalianspiritfeltthattheYoungerbranchwasthebesthindranceshecouldoffertotheambitionofthedukeandthecardinal；andinspiteoftheadviceofthetwoGondis，whourgedhertolettheGuiseswreaktheirvengeanceontheBourbonsshedefeatedtheschemeconcoctedbythemwithSpaintoseizetheprovinceofBearn，bywarningJeanned’Albret，queenofNavarre，ofthatthreateneddanger。Asthisstatesecretwasknownonlytothemandtothequeen-mother，theGuisesknewofcoursewhohadbetrayedit，andresolvedtosendherbacktoFlorence。ButinordertomakethemselvesperfectlysureofwhattheycalledhertreasonagainsttheStatetheStatebeingthehouseofLorraine，thedukeandcardinalconfidedtohertheirintentionofgettingridofthekingofNavarre。TheprecautionsinstantlytakenbyAntoineprovedconclusivelytothetwobrothersthatthesecretsknownonlytothemandthequeen-motherhadbeendivulgedbythelatter。Thecardinalinstantlytaxedherwithtreachery，inpresenceofFrancoisII。，——threateningherwithanedictofbanishmentincaseoffutureindiscretion，whichmight，astheysaid，putthekingdomindanger。
　　Catherine，whothenfeltherselfintheutmostperil，actedinthespiritofagreatking，givingproofofherhighcapacity。Itmustbeadded，however，thatshewasablysecondedbyherfriends。L’Hopitalmanagedtosendheranote，writteninthefollowingterms:——”Donotallowaprinceofthebloodtobeputtodeathbyacommittee；oryouwillyourselfbecarriedoffinsomeway。”
　　CatherinesentBiragotoVignaytotellthechancellorl’HopitaltocometoOrleansatonce，inspiteofhisbeingindisgrace。Biragoreturnedtheverynightofwhichwearewriting，andwasnowafewmilesfromOrleanswithl’Hopital，whoheartilyavowedhimselfforthequeen-mother。Chiverni，whosefidelitywasveryjustlysuspectedbytheGuises，hadescapedfromOrleansandreachedEcouenintenhours，byaforcedmarchwhichalmostcosthimhislife。TherehetoldtheConnetabledeMontmorencyoftheperilofhisnephew，thePrincedeConde，andtheaudacioushopesoftheGuises。TheConnetable，furiousatthethoughtthattheprince’slifehunguponthatofFrancoisII。，startedforOrleansatoncewithahundrednoblemenandfifteenhundredcavalry。InordertotaketheMessieursdeGuisebysurpriseheavoidedParis，andcamedirectfromEcouentoCorbeil，andfromCorbeiltoPithiviersbythevalleyoftheEssonne。”Soldieragainstsoldier，wemustleavenochances，”hesaidontheoccasionofthisboldmarch。
　　AnnedeMontmorency，whohadsavedFranceatthetimeoftheinvasionofProvencebyCharlesV。，andtheDucdeGuise，whohadstoppedthesecondinvasionbytheemperoratMetz，were，intruth，thetwogreatwarriorsofFranceatthisperiod。CatherinehadawaitedthisprecisemomenttorousetheinextinguishablehatredoftheConnetable，whosedisgraceandbanishmentweretheworkoftheGuises。TheMarquisdeSimeuse，however，whocommandedatGien，beingmadeawareofthelargeforceapproachingundercommandoftheConnetable，jumpedonhishorsehopingtoreachOrleansintimetowarnthedukeandcardinal。
　　SurethattheConnetablewouldcometotherescueofhisnephew，andfullofconfidenceintheChancelierl’Hopital’sdevotiontotheroyalcause，thequeen-motherrevivedthehopesandtheboldnessoftheReformedparty。TheColignysandthefriendsofthehouseofBourbon，awareoftheirdanger，nowmadecommoncausewiththeadherentsofthequeen-mother。Acoalitionbetweentheseopposinginterests，attackedbyacommonenemy，formeditselfsilentlyintheStates-general，whereitsoonbecameaquestionofappointingCatherineasregentincasethekingshoulddie。Catherine，whosefaithinastrologywasmuchgreaterthanherfaithintheChurch，nowdaredallagainstheroppressors，seeingthathersonwasillandapparentlydyingattheexpirationofthetimeassignedtohislifebythefamoussorceress，whomNostradamushadbroughttoheratthechateauofChaumont。
　　XI
　　AMBROISEPARE
　　SomedaysbeforetheterribleendofthereignofFrancoisII。，thekinginsistedonsailingdowntheLoire，wishingnottobeinthetownofOrleansonthedaywhenthePrincedeCondewasexecuted。HavingyieldedtheheadoftheprincetotheCardinaldeLorraine，hewasequallyindreadofarebellionamongthetownspeopleandoftheprayersandsupplicationsofthePrincessedeConde。Atthemomentofembarkation，oneofthecoldwindswhichsweepalongtheLoireatthebeginningofwintergavehimsosharpanear-achethathewasobligedtoreturntohisapartments；therehetooktohisbed，notleavingitagainuntilhedied。Incontradictionofthedoctors，who，withtheexceptionofChapelain，werehisenemies，AmbroisePareinsistedthatanabscesswasformedintheking’shead，andthatunlessanissueweregiventoit，thedangerofdeathwouldincreasedaily。
　　Notwithstandingthelatenessofthehour，andthecurfewlaw，whichwassternlyenforcedinOrleans，atthistimepracticallyinastateofsiege，Pare’slampshonefromhiswindow，andhewasdeepinstudy，whenLecamuscalledtohimfrombelow。Recognizingthevoiceofhisoldfriend，Pareorderedthatheshouldbeadmitted。”Youtakenorest，Ambroise；whilesavingthelivesofothersyouarewastingyourown，”saidthefurrierasheentered，lookingatthesurgeon，whosat，withopenedbooksandscatteredinstruments，beforetheheadofadeadman，latelyburiedandnowdisinterred，inwhichhehadcutanopening。”Itisamatterofsavingtheking’slife。””Areyousureofdoingit，Ambroise？”criedtheoldman，trembling。”AssureasIamofmyownexistence。Theking，myoldfriend，hasamorbidulcerpressingonhisbrain，whichwillpresentlysufficeitifnoventisgiventoit，andthedangerisimminent。ButbyboringtheskullIexpecttoreleasethepusandclearthehead。Ihavealreadyperformedthisoperationthreetimes。ItwasinventedbyaPiedmontese；butIhavehadthehonortoperfectit。ThefirstoperationIperformedwasatthesiegeofMetz，onMonsieurdePienne，whomIcured，whowasafterwardsallthemoreintelligentinconsequence。Hiswasanabscesscausedbytheblowofanarquebuse。
　　Thesecondwasontheheadofapauper，onwhomIwantedtoprovethevalueoftheaudaciousoperationMonsieurdePiennehadallowedmetoperform。ThethirdIdidinParisonagentlemanwhoisnowentirelyrecovered。Trepanning——thatisthenamegiventotheoperation——isverylittleknown。Patientsrefuseit，partlybecauseoftheimperfectionoftheinstruments；butIhaveatlastimprovedthem。I
　　ampractisingnowonthisskull，thatImaybesureofnotfailingto-morrow，whenIoperateontheheadoftheking。””Yououghtindeedtobeverysureyouareright，foryourownheadwouldbeindangerincase——””I’dwagermylifeIcancurehim，”repliedAmbroise，withtheconvictionofamanofgenius。”Ah！myoldfriend，where’sthedangerofboringintoaskullwithproperprecautions？Thatiswhatsoldiersdoinbattleeverydayoftheirlives，withouttakinganyprecautions。””Myson，”saidtheburgher，boldly，”doyouknowthattosavethekingistoruinFrance？DoyouknowthatthisinstrumentofyourswillplacethecrownoftheValoisontheheadoftheLorrainwhocallshimselftheheirofCharlemagne？Doyouknowthatsurgeryandpolicyareatthismomentsternlyopposedtoeachother？Yes，thetriumphofyourgeniuswillbethedeathofyourreligion。IftheGuisesgaintheregency，thebloodoftheReformerswillflowlikewater。Beagreatercitizenthanyouareasurgeon；oversleepyourselfto-morrowmorningandleaveafreefieldtotheotherdoctorswhoiftheycannotcurethekingwillcureFrance。””I！”exclaimedPare。”IleaveamantodiewhenIcancurehim？No，no！wereItohangasanabettorofCalvinIshallgoearlytocourt。
　　DoyounotfeelthatthefirstandonlyrewardIshallaskwillbethelifeofyourChristophe？SurelyatsuchamomentQueenMarycandenymenothing。””Alas！myfriend，”returnedLecamus，”thelittlekinghasrefusedthepardonofthePrincedeCondetotheprincess。Donotkillyourreligionbysavingthelifeofamanwhooughttodie。””DonotyoumeddlewithGod’sorderingofthefuture！”criedPare。”Honestmencanhavebutonemotto:/Faiscequedois，adviennequepourra/！——dothyduty，comewhatwill。ThatiswhatIdidatthesiegeofCalaiswhenIputmyfootonthefaceoftheDucdeGuise，——Irantheriskofbeingstrangledbyhisfriendsandhisservants；butto-dayIamsurgeontotheking；moreoverIamoftheReformedreligion；andyettheGuisesaremyfriends。Ishallsavetheking，”
　　criedthesurgeon，withthesacredenthusiasmofaconvictionbestowedbygenius，”andGodwillsaveFrance！”
　　AknockwasheardonthestreetdoorandpresentlyoneofPare’sservantsgaveapapertoLecamus，whoreadaloudtheseterrifyingwords:——”AscaffoldisbeingerectedattheconventoftheRecollets:thePrincedeCondewillbebeheadedthereto-morrow。”
　　AmbroiseandLecamuslookedateachotherwithanexpressionofthedeepesthorror。”Iwillgoandseeitformyself，”saidthefurrier。
　　NosoonerwasheintheopenstreetthanRuggierotookhisarmandaskedbywhatmeansAmbroisePareproposedtosavetheking。Fearingsometrickery，theoldman，insteadofanswering，repliedthathewishedtogoandseethescaffold。TheastrologeraccompaniedhimtotheplacedesRecollets，andthere，trulyenough，theyfoundthecarpentersputtingupthehorribleframeworkbytorchlight。”Hey，myfriend，”saidLecamustooneofthemen，”whatareyoudoinghereatthistimeofnight？””Wearepreparingforthehangingofheretics，astheblood-lettingatAmboisedidn’tcurethem，”saidayoungRecolletwhowassuperintendingthework。”Monseigneurthecardinalisveryright，”saidRuggiero，prudently；”butinmycountrywedobetter。””Whatdoyoudo？”saidtheyoungpriest。”Weburnthem。”
　　Lecamuswasforcedtoleanontheastrologer’sarm，forhislegsgavewaybeneathhim；hethoughtitprobablethatonthemorrowhissonwouldhangfromoneofthosegibbets。Thepooroldmanwasthrustbetweentwosciences，astrologyandsurgery，bothofwhichpromisedhimthelifeofhisson，forwhominallprobabilitythatscaffoldwasnowerecting。Inthetroubleanddistressofhismind，theFlorentinewasabletokneadhimlikedough。”Well，myworthydealerinminever，whatdoyousaynowtotheLorrainejokes？”whisperedRuggiero。”Alas！youknowIwouldgivemyskinifthatofmysonweresafeandsound。””Thatistalkinglikeyourtrade，”saidtheItalian；”butexplaintometheoperationwhichAmbroisemeanstoperformupontheking，andinreturnIwillpromiseyouthelifeofyourson。””Faithfully？”exclaimedtheoldfurrier。”ShallIswearittoyou？”saidRuggiero。
　　ThereuponthepooroldmanrepeatedhisconversationwithAmbroiseParetotheastrologer，who，themomentthatthesecretofthegreatsurgeonwasdivulgedtohim，leftthepoorfatherabruptlyinthestreetinutterdespair。”Whatthedevildoeshemean，thatmiscreant？”criedLecamus，ashewatchedRuggierohurryingwithrapidstepstotheplacedel’Estape。
　　Lecamuswasignorantoftheterriblescenethatwastakingplacearoundtheroyalbed，wheretheimminentdangeroftheking’sdeathandtheconsequentlossofpowertotheGuiseshadcausedthehastyerectionofthescaffoldforthePrincedeConde，whosesentencehadbeenpronounced，asitwerebydefault，——theexecutionofitbeingdelayedbytheking’sillness。
　　Absolutelynoonebutthepersonsondutywereinthehalls，staircases，andcourtyardoftheroyalresidence，LeBailliage。ThecrowdofcourtierswereflockingtothehouseofthekingofNavarre，onwhomtheregencywoulddevolveonthedeathoftheking，accordingtothelawsofthekingdom。TheFrenchnobility，alarmedbytheaudacityoftheGuises，felttheneedofrallyingaroundthechiefoftheyoungerbranch，when，ignorantofthequeen-mother’sItalianpolicy，theysawhertheapparentslaveofthedukeandcardinal。
　　AntoinedeBourbon，faithfultohissecretagreementwithCatherine，wasboundnottorenouncetheregencyinherfavoruntiltheStates-
　　generalhaddeclaredforit。
　　Thesolitudeinwhichtheking’shousewaslefthadapowerfuleffectonthemindoftheDucdeGuisewhen，onhisreturnfromaninspection，madebywayofprecautionthroughthecity，hefoundnoonetherebutthefriendswhowereattachedexclusivelytohisownfortunes。Thechamberinwhichwastheking’sbedadjoinedthegreathalloftheBailliage。Itwasatthatperiodpanelledinoak。Theceiling，composedoflong，narrowboardscarefullyjoinedandpainted，wascoveredwithbluearabesquesonagoldground，apartofwhichbeingtorndownaboutfiftyyearsagowasinstantlypurchasedbyaloverofantiquities。Thisroom，hungwithtapestry，thefloorbeingcoveredwithacarpet，wassodarkandgloomythatthetorchesthrewscarcelyanylight。Thevastfour-postbedsteadwithitssilkencurtainswaslikeatomb。Besideherhusband，closetohispillow，satMaryStuart，andnearhertheCardinaldeLorraine。Catherinewasseatedinachairatalittledistance。ThefamousJeanChapelain，thephysicianondutywhowasafterwardschiefphysiciantoCharlesIX。
　　wasstandingbeforethefireplace。Thedeepestsilencereigned。Theyoungking，paleandshrunken，layasifburiedinhissheets，hispinchedlittlefacescarcelyshowingonthepillow。TheDuchessedeGuise，sittingonastool，attendedQueenMary，whileontheotherside，nearCatherine，intherecessofawindow，MadamedeFiesquestoodwatchingthegesturesandlooksofthequeen-mother；forsheknewthedangersofherposition。
　　Inthehall，notwithstandingthelatenessofthehour，MonsieurdeCypierre，governoroftheDucd’Orleansandnowappointedgovernorofthetown，occupiedonecornerofthefireplacewiththetwoGondis。
　　CardinaldeTournon，whointhiscrisisespousedtheinterestsofthequeen-motheronfindinghimselftreatedasaninferiorbytheCardinaldeLorraine，ofwhomhewascertainlytheecclesiasticalequal，talkedinalowvoicetotheGondis。ThemarshalsdeVieillevilleandSaint-
　　Andreandthekeeperoftheseals，whopresidedattheStates-general，weretalkingtogetherinawhisperofthedangerstowhichtheGuiseswereexposed。
　　Thelieutenant-generalofthekingdomcrossedtheroomonhisentrance，castingarapidglanceabouthim，andbowedtotheDucd’Orleanswhomhesawthere。”Monseigneur，”hesaid，”thiswillteachyoutoknowmen。TheCatholicnobilityofthekingdomhavegonetopaycourttoahereticprince，believingthattheStates-generalwillgivetheregencytotheheirsofatraitorwholongdetainedinprisonyourillustriousgrandfather。”
　　Thenhavingsaidthesewords，whichweredestinedtoploughafurrowintheheartoftheyoungprince，hepassedintothebedroom，wherethekingwasnotsomuchasleepasplungedinaheavytorpor。TheDucdeGuisewasusuallyabletocorrectthesinisteraspectofhisscarredfacebyanaffableandpleasingmanner，butonthisoccasion，whenhesawtheinstrumentofhispowerbreakinginhisveryhands，hewasunabletoforceasmile。Thecardinal，whosecivilcouragewasequaltohisbrother’smilitarydaring，advancedafewstepstomeethim。”RobertetthinksthatlittlePinardissoldtothequeen-mother，”hewhispered，leadingthedukeintothehall；”theyareusinghimtoworkuponthemembersoftheStates-general。””Well，whatdoesitsignifyifwearebetrayedbyasecretarywhenallelsebetraysus？”criedthelieutenant-general。”ThetownisfortheReformation，andweareontheeveofarevolt。Yes！the/Wasps/arediscontented”；hecontinued，givingtheOrleanspeopletheirnickname；”andifParedoesnotsavethekingweshallhaveaterribleuprising。
　　BeforelongweshallbeforcedtobesiegeOrleans，whichisnothingbutabogofHuguenots。””IhavebeenwatchingthatItalianwoman，”saidthecardinal，”asshesitstherewithabsoluteinsensibility。Sheiswatchingandwaiting，Godforgiveher！forthedeathofherson；andIaskmyselfwhetherweshouldnotdoawisethingtoarrestheratonce，andalsothekingofNavarre。””ItisalreadymorethanwewantuponourhandstohavethePrincedeCondeinprison，”repliedtheduke。
　　ThesoundofahorsemanridinginhastetothegateoftheBailliageechoedthroughthehall。Thedukeandcardinalwenttothewindow，andbythelightofthetorcheswhichwereintheporticothedukerecognizedontherider’shatthefamousLorrainecross，whichthecardinalhadlatelyorderedhispartisanstowear。Hesentanofficeroftheguard，whowasstationedintheantechamber，togiveentrancetothenew-comer；andwenthimself，followedbyhisbrother，tomeethimonthelanding。”Whatisit，mydearSimeuse？”askedtheduke，withthatcharmofmannerwhichhealwaysdisplayedtomilitarymen，assoonasherecognizedthegovernorofGien。”TheConnetablehasreachedPithiviers；heleftEcouenwithtwothousandcavalryandonehundrednobles。””Withtheirsuites？””Yes，monseigneur，”repliedSimeuse；”inall，twothousandsixhundredmen。SomesaythatThoreisbehindthemwithabodyofinfantry。IftheConnetabledelaysawhile，expectinghisson，youstillhavetimetorepulsehim。””Isthatallyouknow？Arethereasonsofthissuddencalltoarmsmadeknown？””Montmorencytalksaslittleashewrites；goyouandmeethim，brother，whileIpreparetowelcomehimwiththeheadofhisnephew，”
　　saidthecardinal，givingordersthatRobertetbesenttohimatonce。”Vieilleville！”criedtheduketothemarechal，whocameimmediately。”TheConnetablehastheaudacitytocomehereunderarms；ifIgotomeethimwillyouberesponsibletoholdthetown？””Assoonasyouleaveittheburgherswillflytoarms；andwhocananswerfortheresultofanaffairbetweencavalryandcitizensinthesenarrowstreets？”repliedthemarechal。”Monseigneur，”saidRobertet，rushinghastilyupthestairs，”theChancelierdel’Hopitalisatthegateandaskstoenter；arewetolethimin？””Yes，openthegate，”answeredthecardinal。”Connetableandchanceliertogetherwouldbedangerous；wemustseparatethem。Wehavebeenboldlytrickedbythequeen-motherintochoosingl’Hopitalaschancellor。”
　　Robertetnoddedtoacaptainoftheguard，whoawaitedanansweratthefootofthestaircase；thenheturnedroundquicklytoreceivetheordersofthecardinal。”Monseigneur，Itaketheliberty，”hesaid，makingonelasteffort，”topointoutthatthesentenceshouldbeapprovedby/thekingincouncil/。Ifyouviolatethelawonaprinceoftheblood，itwillnotberespectedforeitheracardinaloraDucdeGuise。””Pinardhasupsetyourmind，Robertet，”saidthecardinal，sternly。”DoyounotknowthatthekingsignedtheorderofexecutionthedayhewasabouttoleaveOrleans，inorderthatthesentencemightbecarriedoutinhisabsence？”
　　Thelieutenant-generallistenedtothisdiscussionwithoutaword，buthetookhisbrotherbythearmandledhimintoacornerofthehall。”Undoubtedly，”hesaid，”theheirsofCharlemagnehavetherighttorecoverthecrownwhichwasusurpedfromtheirhousebyHughCapet；
　　butcantheydoit？Thepearisnotyetripe。Ournephewisdying，andthewholecourthasgoneovertothekingofNavarre。””Theking’sheartfailedhim，ortheBearnaiswouldhavebeenstabbedbeforenow，”saidthecardinal；”andwecouldeasilyhavedisposedoftheValoischildren。””Weareveryill-placedhere，”saidtheduke；”therebellionofthetownwillbesupportedbytheStates-general。L’Hopital，whomweprotectedwhilethequeen-motheropposedhisappointment，isto-dayagainstus，andyetitisall-importantthatweshouldhavethejusticiarywithus。Catherinehastoomanysupportersatthepresenttime；wecannotsendherbacktoItaly。Besides，therearestillthreeValoisprinces——””Sheisnolongeramother，sheisallqueen，”saidthecardinal。”Inmyopinion，thisisthemomenttomakeanendofher。Vigor，andmoreandmorevigor！that’smyprescription！”hecried。
　　Sosaying，thecardinalreturnedtotheking’schamber，followedbytheduke。Thepriestwentstraighttothequeen-mother。”ThepapersofLasagne，thesecretaryofthePrincedeConde，havebeencommunicatedtoyou，andyounowknowthattheBourbonsareendeavoringtodethroneyourson。””Iknowallthat，”saidCatherine。”Well，then，willyougiveorderstoarrestthekingofNavarre？””Thereis，”shesaidwithdignity，”alieutenant-generalofthekingdom。”
　　AtthisinstantFrancoisII。groanedpiteously，complainingaloudoftheterriblepainsinhisear。Thephysicianleftthefireplacewherehewaswarminghimself，andwenttothebedsidetoexaminetheking’shead。”Well，monsieur？”saidtheDucdeGuise，interrogatively。”Idarenottakeuponmyselftoapplyablistertodrawtheabscess。
　　MaitreAmbroisehaspromisedtosavetheking’slifebyanoperation，andImightthwartit。””Letuspostponethetreatmenttillto-morrowmorning，”saidCatherine，coldly，”andorderallthephysicianstobepresent；forweallknowthecalumniestowhichthedeathofkingsgivesrise。”
　　Shewenttohersonandkissedhishand；thenshewithdrewtoherownapartments。”Withwhatcomposurethataudaciousdaughterofashop-keeperalludedtothedeathofthedauphin，poisonedbyMontecuculi，oneofherownItalianfollowers！”saidMaryStuart。”Mary！”criedthelittleking，”mygrandfatherneverdoubtedherinnocence。””Canwepreventthatwomanfromcominghereto-morrow？”saidthequeentoherunclesinalowvoice。”Whatwillbecomeofusifthekingdies？”returnedthecardinal，inawhisper。”Catherinewillshovelusallintohisgrave。”
　　ThusthequestionwasplainlyputbetweenCatherinede’MediciandthehouseofLorraineduringthatfatalnight。ThearrivaloftheConnetabledeMontmorencyandtheChancelierdel’Hopitalweredistinctindicationsofrebellion；themorningofthenextdaywouldthereforebedecisive。
　　XII
　　DEATHOFFRANCOISII
　　Onthemorrowthequeen-motherwasthefirsttoentertheking’schamber。ShefoundnoonetherebutMaryStuart，paleandweary，whohadpassedthenightinprayerbesidethebed。TheDuchessedeGuisehadkepthermistresscompany，andthemaidsofhonorhadtakenturnsinrelievingoneanother。Theyoungkingslept。Neitherthedukenorthecardinalhadyetappeared。Thepriest，whowasbolderthanthesoldier，had，itwasafterwardsaid，putforthhisutmostenergyduringthenighttoinducehisbrothertomakehimselfking。But，infaceoftheassembledStates-general，andthreatenedbyabattlewithMontmorency，theBalafredeclaredthecircumstancesunfavorable；herefused，againsthisbrother’sutmosturgency，toarrestthekingofNavarre，thequeen-mother，l’Hopital，theCardinaldeTournon，theGondis，Ruggiero，andBirago，objectingthatsuchviolentmeasureswouldbringonageneralrebellion。Hepostponedthecardinal’sschemeuntilthefateofFrancoisII。shouldbedetermined。
　　Thedeepestsilencereignedintheking’schamber。Catherine，accompaniedbyMadamedeFiesque，wenttothebedsideandgazedathersonwithasemblanceofgriefthatwasadmirablysimulated。SheputherhandkerchieftohereyesandwalkedtothewindowwhereMadamedeFiesquebroughtheraseat。Thenceshecouldseeintothecourtyard。
　　IthadbeenagreedbetweenCatherineandtheCardinaldeTournonthatiftheConnetableshouldsuccessfullyenterthetownthecardinalwouldcometotheking’shousewiththetwoGondis；ifotherwise，hewouldcomealone。Atnineinthemorningthedukeandcardinal，followedbytheirgentlemen，whoremainedinthehall，enteredtheking’sbedroom，——thecaptainondutyhavinginformedthemthatAmbroiseParehadarrived，togetherwithChapelainandthreeotherphysicians，whohatedPareandwereallinthequeen-mother’sinterests。
　　AfewmomentslaterandthegreathalloftheBailliagepresentedmuchthesameaspectasthatoftheSalledesgardesatBloisonthedaywhenChristophewasputtothetortureandtheDucdeGuisewasproclaimedlieutenant-governorofthekingdom，——withthesingleexceptionthatwhereasloveandjoyoverflowedtheroyalchamberandtheGuisestriumphed，deathandmourningnowreignedwithinthatdarkenedroom，andtheGuisesfeltthatpowerwasslippingthroughtheirfingers。Themaidsofhonorofthetwoqueenswereagainintheirseparatecampsoneithersideofthefireplace，inwhichglowedamonstrousfire。Thehallwasfilledwithcourtiers。Thenews——spreadabout，nooneknewhow——ofsomedaringoperationcontemplatedbyAmbroiseParetosavetheking’slife，hadbroughtbackthelordsandgentlemenwhohaddesertedthehousethedaybefore。Theouterstaircaseandcourtyardwerefilledbyananxiouscrowd。ThescaffolderectedduringthenightforthePrincedeCondeoppositetotheconventoftheRecollets，hadamazedandstartledthewholenobility。
　　AllpresentspokeinalowvoiceandthetalkwasthesamemixtureasatBlois，offrivolousandserious，lightandearnestmatters。Thehabitofexpectingtroubles，suddenrevolutions，callstoarms，rebellions，andgreatevents，whichmarkedthelongperiodduringwhichthehouseofValoiswasslowlybeingextinguishedinspiteofCatherinede’Medici’sgreateffortstopreserveit，tookitsriseatthistime。
　　Adeepsilenceprevailedforacertaindistancebeyondthedooroftheking’schamber，whichwasguardedbytwohalberdiers，twopages，andbythecaptainoftheScotchguard。AntoinedeBourbon，kingofNavarre，heldaprisonerinhisownhouse，learnedbyhispresentdesertionthehopesofthecourtierswhohadflockedtohimthedaybefore，andwashorrifiedbythenewsofthepreparationsmadeduringthenightfortheexecutionofhisbrother。
　　StandingbeforethefireplaceinthegreathalloftheBailliagewasoneofthegreatestandnoblestfiguresofthatday，——theChancelierdel’Hopital，wearinghiscrimsonrobelinedandedgedwithermine，andhiscaponhisheadaccordingtotheprivilegeofhisoffice。Thiscourageousman，seeingthathisbenefactorsweretraitorousandself-
　　seeking，heldfirmlytothecauseofthekings，representedbythequeen-mother；attheriskoflosinghishead，hehadgonetoRouentoconsultwiththeConnetabledeMontmorency。Nooneventuredtodrawhimfromthereverieinwhichhewasplunged。Robertet，thesecretaryofState，twomarshalsofFrance，Vieilleville，andSaint-Andre，andthekeeperoftheseals，werecollectedinagroupbeforethechancellor。Thecourtierspresentwerenotpreciselyjesting；buttheirtalkwasmalicious，especiallyamongthosewhowerenotfortheGuises。
　　Presentlyvoiceswereheardtoriseintheking’schamber。Thetwomarshals，Robertet，andthechancellorwentnearertothedoor；fornotonlywasthelifeofthekinginquestion，but，asthewholecourtknewwell，thechancellor，thequeen-mother，andheradherentswereintheutmostdanger。Adeepsilencefellonthewholeassembly。
　　AmbroiseParehadbythistimeexaminedtheking’shead；hethoughtthemomentpropitiousforhisoperation；ifitwasnotperformedsuffusionwouldtakeplace，andFrancoisII。mightdieatanymoment。
　　Assoonasthedukeandcardinalenteredthechamberheexplainedtoallpresentthatinsourgentacaseitwasnecessarytotrepanthehead，andhenowwaitedtilltheking’sphysicianorderedhimtoperformtheoperation。”Cuttheheadofmysonasthoughitwereaplank！——withthathorribleinstrument！”criedCatherinede’Medici。”MaitreAmbroise，Iwillnotpermitit。”
　　Thephysicianswereconsultingtogether；butCatherinespokeinsoloudavoicethatherwordsreached，assheintendedtheyshould，beyondthedoor。”But，madame，ifthereisnootherwaytosavehim？”saidMaryStuart，weeping。”Ambroise，”criedCatherine；”rememberthatyourheadwillanswerfortheking’slife。””WeareopposedtothetreatmentsuggestedbyMaitreAmbroise，”saidthethreephysicians。”Thekingcanbesavedbyinjectingthroughtheeararemedywhichwilldrawthecontentsoftheabscessthroughthatpassage。”
　　TheDucdeGuise，whowaswatchingCatherine’sface，suddenlywentuptoheranddrewherintotherecessofthewindow。”Madame，”hesaid，”youwishthedeathofyourson；youareinleaguewithourenemies，andhavebeensinceBlois。ThismorningtheCounsellorVioletoldthesonofyourfurrierthatthePrincedeConde’sheadwasabouttobecutoff。Thatyoungman，who，whenthequestionwasapplied，persistedindenyingallrelationswiththeprince，madeasignoffarewelltohimashepassedbeforethewindowofhisdungeon。Yousawyourunhappyaccomplicetorturedwithroyalinsensibility。Youarenowendeavoringtopreventtherecoveryofyoureldestson。Yourconductforcesustobelievethatthedeathofthedauphin，whichplacedthecrownonyourhusband’sheadwasnotanaturalone，andthatMontecuculiwasyour——””Monsieurlechancilier！”criedCatherine，atasignfromwhomMadamedeFiesqueopenedbothsidesofthebedroomdoor。
　　Thecompanyinthehallthensawthescenethatwastakingplaceintheroyalchamber:thelividlittleking，hisfacehalfdead，hiseyessightless，hislipsstammeringtheword”Mary，”asheheldthehandoftheweepingqueen；theDuchessedeGuisemotionless，frightenedbyCatherine’sdaringact；thedukeandcardinal，alsoalarmed，keepingclosetothequeen-motherandresolvingtohaveherarrestedonthespotbyMaille-Breze；lastly，thetallAmbroisePare，assistedbytheking’sphysician，holdinghisinstrumentinhishandbutnotdaringtobegintheoperation，forwhichcomposureandtotalsilencewereasnecessaryastheconsentoftheothersurgeons。”Monsieurlechancelier，”saidCatherine，”theMessieursdeGuisewishtoauthorizeastrangeoperationuponthepersonoftheking；AmbroisePareispreparingtocutopenhishead。I，astheking’smotherandamemberofthecounciloftheregency，——Iprotestagainstwhatappearstomeacrimeof/lese-majeste/。Theking’sphysiciansadviseaninjectionthroughtheear，whichseemstomeasefficaciousandlessdangerousthanthebrutaloperationproposedbyPare。”
　　Whenthecompanyinthehallheardthesewordsasmotheredmurmurrosefromtheirmidst；thecardinalallowedthechancellortoenterthebedroomandthenheclosedthedoor。”Iamlieutenant-generalofthekingdom，”saidtheDucdeGuise；”andIwouldhaveyouknow，Monsieurlechancelier，thatAmbroise，theking’ssurgeon，answersforhislife。””Ah！ifthisbetheturnthatthingsaretaking！”exclaimedAmbroisePare。”IknowmyrightsandhowIshouldproceed。”Hestretchedhisarmoverthebed。”Thisbedandthekingaremine。Iclaimtobesolemasterofthiscaseandsolelyresponsible。Iknowthedutiesofmyoffice；Ishalloperateuponthekingwithoutthesanctionofthephysicians。””Savehim！”saidthecardinal，”andyoushallbetherichestmaninFrance。””Goon！”criedMaryStuart，pressingthesurgeon’shand。”Icannotpreventit，”saidthechancellor；”butIshallrecordtheprotestofthequeen-mother。””Robertet！”calledtheDucdeGuise。
　　WhenRobertetentered，thelieutenant-generalpointedtothechancellor。”IappointyouchancellorofFranceintheplaceofthattraitor，”hesaid。”MonsieurdeMaille，takeMonsieurdel’HopitalandputhimintheprisonofthePrincedeConde。Asforyou，madame，”headded，turningtoCatherine；”yourprotestwillnotbereceived；yououghttobeawarethatanysuchprotestmustbesupportedbysufficientforce。
　　IactasthefaithfulsubjectandloyalservantofkingFrancoisII。，mymaster。Goon，Antoine，”headded，lookingatthesurgeon。”MonsieurdeGuise，”saidl’Hopital；”ifyouemployviolenceeitheruponthekingoruponthechancellorofFrance，rememberthatenoughofthenobilityofFranceareinthathalltoriseandarrestyouasatraitor。””Oh！mylords，”criedthegreatsurgeon；”ifyoucontinuetheseargumentsyouwillsoonproclaimCharlesIX！——forkingFrancoisisabouttodie。”
　　Catherinede’Medici，absolutelyimpassive，gazedfromthewindow。”Well，then，weshallemployforcetomakeourselvesmastersofthisroom，”saidthecardinal，advancingtothedoor。
　　Butwhenheopeneditevenhewasterrified；thewholehousewasdeserted！Thecourtiers，certainnowofthedeathoftheking，hadgoneinabodytothekingofNavarre。”Well，goon，performyourduty，”criedMaryStuart，vehemently，toAmbroise。”I——andyou，duchess，”shesaidtoMadamedeGuise，——”willprotectyou。””Madame，”saidAmbroise；”myzealwascarryingmeaway。Thedoctors，withtheexceptionofmyfriendChapelain，preferaninjection，anditismydutytosubmittotheirwishes。IfIhadbeenchiefsurgeonandchiefphysician，whichIamnot，theking’slifewouldprobablyhavebeensaved。Givethattome，gentlemen，”hesaid，stretchingouthishandforthesyringe，whichheproceededtofill。”GoodGod！”criedMaryStart，”butIorderyouto——””Alas！madame，”saidAmbroise，”Iamunderthedirectionofthesegentlemen。”
　　Theyoungqueenplacedherselfbetweenthesurgeon，thedoctors，andtheotherpersonspresent。Thechiefphysicianheldtheking’shead，andAmbroisemadetheinjectionintotheear。Thedukeandthecardinalwatchedtheproceedingattentively。RobertetandMonsieurdeMaillestoodmotionless。MadamedeFiesque，atasignfromCatherine，glidedunperceivedfromtheroom。Amomentlaterl’Hopitalboldlyopenedthedooroftheking’schamber。”Iarriveingoodtime，”saidthevoiceofamanwhosehastystepsechoedthroughthegreathall，andwhostoodthenextmomentonthethresholdoftheopendoor。”Ah，messieurs，soyoumeanttotakeofftheheadofmygoodnephew，thePrincedeConde？Insteadofthat，youhaveforcedthelionfromhislairand——hereIam！”addedtheConnetabledeMontmorency。”Ambroise，youshallnotplungeyourknifeintotheheadofmyking。Thefirstprinceoftheblood，AntoinedeBourbon，thePrincedeConde，thequeen-mother，theConnetable，andthechancellorforbidtheoperation。”
　　ToCatherine’sgreatsatisfaction，thekingofNavarreandthePrincedeCondenowenteredtheroom。”Whatdoesthismean？”saidtheDucdeGuise，layinghishandonhisdagger。”ItmeansthatinmycapacityasConnetable，Ihavedismissedthesentinelsofallyourposts。/TeteDieu/！youarenotinanenemy’scountry，methinks。Theking，ourmaster，isinthemidstofhisloyalsubjects，andtheStates-generalmustbesufferedtodeliberateatliberty。Icome，messieurs，fromtheStates-general。IcarriedtheprotestofmynephewdeCondebeforethatassembly，andthreehundredofthosegentlemenhavereleasedhim。Youwishtoshedroyalbloodandtodecimatethenobilityofthekingdom，doyou？Ha！infuture，Idefyyou，andallyourschemes，MessieursdeLorraine。Ifyouordertheking’sheadopened，bythisswordwhichsavedFrancefromCharlesV。，Isayitshallnotbedone——””Allthemore，”saidAmbroisePare；”becauseitisnowtoolate；thesuffusionhasbegun。””Yourreignisover，messieurs，”saidCatherinetotheGuises，seeingfromPare’sfacethattherewasnolongeranyhope。”Ah！madame，youhavekilledyourownson，”criedMaryStuartassheboundedlikealionessfromthebedtothewindowandseizedthequeen-motherbythearm，grippingitviolently。”Mydear，”repliedCatherine，givingherdaughter-in-lawacold，keenglanceinwhichsheallowedherhatred，repressedforthelastsixmonths，tooverflow；”you，towhoseinordinateloveweowethisdeath，youwillnowgotoreigninyourScotland，andyouwillstartto-morrow。Iamregent/defacto/。”Thethreephysicianshavingmadeherasign，”Messieurs，”sheadded，addressingtheGuises，”itisagreedbetweenMonsieurdeBourbon，appointedlieutenant-generalofthekingdombytheStates-general，andmethattheconductoftheaffairsoftheStateisourbusinesssolely。Come，monsieurlechancelier。””Thekingisdead！”saidtheDucdeGuise，compelledtoperformhisdutiesasGrand-master。”LongliveKingCharlesIX。！”criedallthenoblemenwhohadcomewiththekingofNavarre，thePrincedeConde，andtheConnetable。
　　TheceremonieswhichfollowthedeathofakingofFrancewereperformedinalmosttotalsolitude。Whentheking-at-armsproclaimedaloudthreetimesinthehall，”Thekingisdead！”therewereveryfewpersonspresenttoreply，”Viveleroi！”
　　Thequeen-mother，towhomtheComtessedeFiesquehadbroughttheDucd’Orleans，nowCharlesIX。，leftthechamber，leadinghersonbythehand，andalltheremainingcourtiersfollowedher。NoonewasleftinthehousewhereFrancoisII。haddrawnhislastbreath，butthedukeandthecardinal，theDuchessedeGuise，MaryStuart，andDayelle，togetherwiththesentriesatthedoor，thepagesoftheGrand-master，thoseofthecardinal，andtheirprivatesecretaries。”VivelaFrance！”criedseveralReformersinthestreet，soundingthefirstcryoftheopposition。
　　Robertet，whoowedallhewastothedukeandcardinal，terrifiedbytheirschemeanditspresentfailure，wentoversecretlytothequeen-
　　mother，whomtheambassadorsofSpain，England，theEmpire，andPoland，hastenedtomeetonthestaircase，broughtthitherbyCardinaldeTournon，whohadgonetonotifythemassoonashehadmadeQueenCatherineasignfromthecourtyardatthemomentwhensheprotestedagainsttheoperationofAmbroisePare。”Well！”saidthecardinaltotheduke，”sothesonsofLouisd’Outre-
　　mer，theheirsofCharlesdeLorraineflinchedandlackedcourage。””WeshouldhavebeenexiledtoLorraine，”repliedtheduke。”Ideclaretoyou，Charles，thatifthecrownlaytherebeforemeIwouldnotstretchoutmyhandtopickitup。That’sformysontodo。””Willhehave，asyouhavehad，thearmyandChurchonhisside？””Hewillhavesomethingbetter。””What？””Thepeople！””Ah！”exclaimedMaryStuart，claspingthestiffenedhandofherfirsthusband，nowdead，”thereisnonebutmetoweepforthispoorboywholovedmeso！””Howcanwepatchupmatterswiththequeen-mother？”saidthecardinal。”WaittillshequarrelswiththeHuguenots，”repliedtheduchess。
　　TheconflictinginterestsofthehouseofBourbon，ofCatherine，oftheGuises，andoftheReformedpartyproducedsuchconfusioninthetownofOrleansthat，threedaysaftertheking’sdeath，hisbody，completelyforgottenintheBailliageandputintoacoffinbythemenialsofthehouse，wastakentoSaint-Denisinacoveredwaggon，accompaniedonlybytheBishopofSenlisandtwogentlemen。WhenthepitiableprocessionreachedthelittletownofEtampes，aservantoftheChancelierl’Hopitalfastenedtothewaggonthissevereinscription，whichhistoryhaspreserved:”TanneguydeChastel，whereartthou？andyetthouwertaFrenchman！”——asternreproach，whichfellwithequalforceonCatherinede’Medici，MaryStuart，andtheGuises。WhatFrenchmandoesnotknowthatTanneguydeChastelspentthirtythousandcrownsofthecoinageofthatdayonemillionofourfrancsatthefuneralofCharlesVII。，thebenefactorofhishouse？
　　NosoonerdidthetollingofthebellsannouncetothetownofOrleansthatFrancoisII。wasdead，andtherumorspreadthattheConnetabledeMontmorencyhadorderedtheflingingopenofthegatesofthetown，thanTourillon，theglover，rushedupintothegarretofhishouseandwenttoasecrethiding-place。”Goodheavens！canhebedead？”hecried。
　　Hearingthewords，amanrosetohisfeetandanswered，”Readytoserve！”——thepasswordoftheReformerswhobelongedtoCalvin。
　　ThismanwasChaudieu，towhomTourillonnowrelatedtheeventsofthelasteightdays，duringwhichtimehehadprudentlylefttheministeraloneinhishiding-placewithatwelve-poundloafofbreadforhissolenourishment。”GoinstantlytothePrincedeConde，brother:askhimtogivemeasafe-conduct；andfindmeahorse，”criedtheminister。”Imuststartatonce。””Writemealine，orhewillnotreceiveme。””Here，”saidChaudieu，afterwritingafewwords，”askforapassfromthekingofNavarre，forImustgotoGenevawithoutamoment’slossoftime。”
　　XIII
　　CALVIN
　　Twohourslaterallwasready，andtheardentministerwasonhiswaytoSwitzerland，accompaniedbyanoblemanintheserviceofthekingofNavarreofwhomChaudieupretendedtobethesecretary，carryingwithhimdespatchesfromtheReformersintheDauphine。ThissuddendeparturewaschieflyintheinterestsofCatherinede’Medici，who，inordertogaintimetoestablishherpower，hadmadeaboldpropositiontotheReformerswhichwaskeptaprofoundsecret。ThisstrangeproceedingexplainstheunderstandingsosuddenlyapparentbetweenherselfandtheleadersoftheReform。Thewilywomangave，asapledgeofhergoodfaith，anintimationofherdesiretohealalldifferencesbetweenthetwochurchesbycallinganassembly，whichshouldbeneitheracouncil，noraconclave，norasynod，butshouldbeknownbysomenewanddistinctivename，ifCalvinconsentedtotheproject。WhenthissecretwasafterwardsdivulgedbeitremarkedinpassingitledtoanalliancebetweentheDucdeGuiseandtheConnetabledeMontmorencyagainstCatherineandthekingofNavarre，——
　　astrangealliance！knowninhistoryastheTriumvirate，theMarechaldeSaint-AndrebeingthethirdpersonageinthepurelyCatholiccoalitiontowhichthissingularpropositionfora”colloquy”gaverise。ThesecretofCatherine’swilypolicywasrightlyunderstoodbytheGuises；theyfeltcertainthatthequeencarednothingforthismysteriousassembly，andwasonlytemporizingwithhernewalliesinordertosecureaperiodofpeaceuntilthemajorityofCharlesIX。；
　　butnonethelessdidtheydeceivetheConnetableintofearingacollusionofrealinterestsbetweenthequeenandtheBourbons，——
　　whereas，inreality，Catherinewasplayingthemalloneagainstanother。
　　Thequeenhadbecome，asthereaderwillperceive，extremelypowerfulinaveryshorttime。Thespiritofdiscussionandcontroversywhichnowsprangupwassingularlyfavorabletoherposition。TheCatholicsandtheReformerswereequallypleasedtoexhibittheirbrilliancyoneafteranotherinthistournamentofwords；forthatiswhatitactuallywas，andnomore。Itisextraordinarythathistorianshavemistakenoneofthewiliestschemesofthegreatqueenforuncertaintyandhesitation！Catherineneverwentmoredirectlytoherownendsthaninjustsuchschemeswhichappearedtothwartthem。ThekingofNavarre，quiteincapableofunderstandinghermotives，fellintoherplaninallsincerity，anddespatchedChaudieutoCalvin，aswehaveseen。TheministerhadriskedhislifetobesecretlyinOrleansandwatchevents；forhewas，whilethere，inhourlyperilofbeingdiscoveredandhungasamanundersentenceofbanishment。
　　Accordingtothethenfashionoftravelling，ChaudieucouldnotreachGenevabeforethemonthofFebruary，andthenegotiationswerenotlikelytobeconcludedbeforetheendofMarch；consequentlytheassemblycouldcertainlynottakeplacebeforethemonthofMay，1561。
　　Catherine，meantime，intendedtoamusethecourtandthevariousconflictinginterestsbythecoronationoftheking，andtheceremoniesofhisfirst”litdejustice，”atwhichl’HopitalanddeThourecordedtheletters-patentbywhichCharlesIX。confidedtheadministrationtohismotherincommonwiththepresentlieutenant-
　　generalofthekingdom，AntoinedeNavarre，theweakestprinceofthosedays。
　　IsitnotastrangespectaclethisofthegreatkingdomofFrancewaitinginsuspenseforthe”yes”or”no”ofaFrenchburgher，hithertoanobscureman，livingformanyyearspastinGeneva？ThetransalpinepopeheldincheckbythepontiffofGeneva！ThetwoLorrainprinces，latelyall-powerful，nowparalyzedbythemomentarycoalitionofthequeen-motherandthefirstprinceofthebloodwithCalvin！Isnotthis，Isay，oneofthemostinstructivelessonsevergiventokingsbyhistory，——alessonwhichshouldteachthemtostudymen，toseekoutgenius，andemployit，asdidLouisXIV。，whereverGodhasplacedit？
　　Calvin，whosenamewasnotCalvinbutCauvin，wasthesonofacooperatNoyoninPicardy。TheregionofhisbirthexplainsinsomedegreetheobstinacycombinedwithcapriciouseagernesswhichdistinguishedthisarbiterofthedestiniesofFranceinthesixteenthcentury。
　　Nothingislessknownthanthenatureofthisman，whogavebirthtoGenevaandtothespiritthatemanatedfromthatcity。Jean-JacquesRousseau，whohadverylittlehistoricalknowledge，hascompletelyignoredtheinfluenceofCalvinonhisrepublic。AtfirsttheembryoReformer，wholivedinoneofthehumblesthousesintheuppertown，nearthechurchofSaint-Pierre，overacarpenter’sshopfirstresemblancebetweenhimandRobespierre，hadnogreatauthorityinGeneva。InfactforalongtimehispowerwasmalevolentlycheckedbytheGenevese。Thetownwastheresidenceinthosedaysofacitizenwhosefame，likethatofseveralothers，remainedunknowntotheworldatlargeandforatimetoGenevaitself。Thisman，Farel，abouttheyear1537，detainedCalvininGeneva，pointingouttohimthattheplacecouldbemadethesafecentreofareformationmoreactiveandthoroughthanthatofLuther。FarelandCalvinregardedLutheranismasanincompletework，——insufficientinitselfandwithoutanyrealgripuponFrance。Geneva，midwaybetweenFranceandItaly，andspeakingtheFrenchlanguage，wasadmirablysituatedforreadycommunicationwithGermany，France，andItaly。CalvinthereuponadoptedGenevaasthesiteofhismoralfortunes；hemadeitthenceforththecitadelofhisideas。
　　TheCouncilofGeneva，atFarel’sentreaty，authorizedCalvininSeptember，1538，togivelecturesontheology。CalvinleftthedutiesoftheministrytoFarel，hisfirstdisciple，andgavehimselfuppatientlytotheworkofteachinghisdoctrine。Hisauthority，whichbecamesoabsoluteinthelastyearsofhislife，wasobtainedwithdifficultyandveryslowly。ThegreatagitatormetwithsuchseriousobstaclesthathewasbanishedforatimefromGenevaonaccountoftheseverityofhisreform。Apartyofhonestcitizensstillclungtotheiroldluxuryandtheiroldcustoms。But，asusuallyhappens，thesegoodpeople，fearingridicule，wouldnotadmittherealobjectoftheirefforts，andkeptuptheirwarfareagainstthenewdoctrinesonpointsaltogetherforeigntotherealquestion。Calvininsistedthat/leavenedbread/shouldbeusedforthecommunion，andthatallfeastsshouldbeabolishedexceptSundays。TheseinnovationsweredisapprovedofatBerneandatLausanne。NoticewasservedontheGenevesetoconformtotheritualofSwitzerland。CalvinandFarelresisted；theirpoliticalopponentsusedthisdisobediencetodrivethemfromGeneva，whencetheywere，infact，banishedforseveralyears。LaterCalvinreturnedtriumphantlyatthedemandofhisflock。Suchpersecutionsalwaysbecomeintheendtheconsecrationofamoralpower；and，inthiscase，Calvin’sreturnwasthebeginningofhiseraasprophet。HethenorganizedhisreligiousTerror，andtheexecutionsbegan。OnhisreappearanceinthecityhewasadmittedintotheranksoftheGeneveseburghers；buteventhen，afterfourteenyears’residence，hewasnotmadeamemberoftheCouncil。Atthetimeofwhichwewrite，whenCatherinesentherenvoytohim，thiskingofideashadnoothertitlethanthatof”pastoroftheChurchofGeneva。”Moreover，Calvinneverinhislifereceivedasalaryofmorethanonehundredandfiftyfrancsinmoneyyearly，fifteenhundred-weightofwheat，andtwobarrelsofwine。Hisbrother，atailor，keptashopclosetotheplaceSaint-Pierre，inastreetnowoccupiedbyoneofthelargeprintingestablishmentsofGeneva。Suchpersonaldisinterestedness，whichwaslackinginVoltaire，Newton，andBacon，buteminentinthelivesofRabelais，Spinosa，Loyola，Kant，andJean-JacquesRousseau，isindeedamagnificentframetothoseardentandsublimefigures。
　　ThecareerofRobespierrecanalonepicturetothemindsofthepresentdaythatofCalvin，who，foundinghispoweronthesamebases，wasasdespoticandascruelasthelawyerofArras。ItisanoticeablefactthatPicardyArrasandNoyonfurnishedboththeseinstrumentsofreformation！PersonswhowishtostudythemotivesoftheexecutionsorderedbyCalvinwillfind，allrelationsconsidered，another1793inGeneva。CalvincutofftheheadofJacquesGruet”forhavingwrittenimpiousletters，libertineverses，andforworkingtooverthrowecclesiasticalordinances。”Reflectuponthatsentence，andaskyourselvesiftheworsttyrantsintheirsaturnaliasevergavemorehorriblyburlesquereasonsfortheircruelties。ValentinGentilis，condemnedtodeathfor”involuntaryheresy，”escapedexecutiononlybymakingasubmissionfarmoreignominiousthanwaseverimposedbytheCatholicChurch。SevenyearsbeforetheconferencewhichwasnowtotakeplaceinCalvin’shouseontheproposalsofthequeen-mother，MichelServet，/aFrenchman/，travellingthroughSwitzerland，wasarrestedatGeneva，tried，condemned，andburnedalive，onCalvin’saccusation，forhaving”attackedthemysteryoftheTrinity，”inabookwhichwasneitherwrittennorpublishedinGeneva。
　　RemembertheeloquentremonstranceofJean-JacquesRousseau，whosebook，overthrowingtheCatholicreligion，writteninFranceandpublishedinHolland，wasburnedbythehangman，whiletheauthor，aforeigner，wasmerelybanishedfromthekingdomwherehehadendeavoredtodestroythefundamentalproofsofreligionandofauthority。ComparetheconductofourParliamentwiththatoftheGenevesetyrant。Again:Bolseewasbroughttotrialfor”havingotherideasthanthoseofCalvinonpredestination。”Considerthesethings，andaskyourselvesifFourquier-Tinvilledidworse。ThesavagereligiousintoleranceofCalvinwas，morallyspeaking，moreimplacablethanthesavagepoliticalintoleranceofRobespierre。OnalargerstagethanthatofGeneva，CalvinwouldhaveshedmorebloodthandidtheterribleapostleofpoliticalequalityasopposedtoCatholicequality。ThreecenturiesearlieramonkofPicardydrovethewholeWestupontheEast。PetertheHermit，Calvin，andRobespierre，eachatanintervalofthreehundredyearsandallthreefromthesameregion，were，politicallyspeaking，theArchimedeanscrewsoftheirage，——ateachepochaThoughtwhichfounditsfulcrumintheself-interestofmankind。
　　CalvinwasundoubtedlythemakerofthatmelancholytowncalledGeneva，where，onlytenyearsago，amansaid，pointingtoaporte-
　　cochereintheuppertown，thefirsteverbuiltthere:”BythatdoorluxuryhasinvadedGeneva。”Calvingavebirth，bythesternnessofhisdoctrinesandhisexecutions，tothatformofhypocriticalsentimentcalled”cant。”[*]Accordingtothosewhopracticeit，goodmoralsconsistinrenouncingtheartsandthecharmsoflife，ineatingrichlybutwithoutluxury，insilentlyamassingmoneywithoutenjoyingitotherwisethanasCalvinenjoyedpower——bythought。Calvinimposedonallthecitizensofhisadoptedtownthesamegloomypallwhichhespreadoverhisownlife。HecreatedintheConsistoryaCalvinisticinquisition，absolutelysimilartotherevolutionarytribunalofRobespierre。TheConsistorydenouncedthepersonstobecondemnedtotheCouncil，andCalvinruledtheCouncilthroughtheConsistory，justasRobespierreruledtheConventionthroughtheCluboftheJacobins。
　　InthiswayaneminentmagistrateofGenevawascondemnedtotwomonths’imprisonment，thelossofallhisoffices，andtherightofeverobtainingothers”becauseheledadisorderlylifeandwasintimatewithCalvin’senemies。”Calvinthusbecamealegislator。Hecreatedtheaustere，sober，commonplace，andhideouslysad，butirreproachablemannersandcustomswhichcharacterizeGenevatothepresentday，——customsprecedingthoseofEnglandcalledPuritanism，whichwereduetotheCameronians，disciplesofCameronaFrenchmanderivinghisdoctrinefromCalvin，whomSirWalterScottdepictssoadmirably。Thepovertyofaman，asovereignmaster，whonegotiated，powertopower，withkings，demandingarmiesandsubsidies，andplungingbothhandsintotheirsavingslaidasidefortheunfortunate，provesthatthought，usedsolelyasameansofdomination，givesbirthtopoliticalmisers，——menwhoenjoybytheirbrainsonly，and，liketheJesuits，wantpowerforpower’ssake。Pitt，Luther，Calvin，Robespierre，allthoseHarpagonsofpower，diedwithoutapenny。TheinventorytakeninCalvin’shouseafterhisdeath，whichcomprisedallhisproperty，evenhisbooks，amountedinvalue，ashistoryrecords，totwohundredandfiftyfrancs。ThatofLuthercametoaboutthesamesum；hiswidow，thefamousCatherinedeBora，wasforcedtopetitionforapensionoffivehundredfrancs，whichasgrantedtoherbyanElectorofGermany。Potemkin，Richelieu，Mazarin，thosemenofthoughtandaction，allthreeofwhommadeorlaidthefoundationofempires，eachleftoverthreehundredmillionsbehindthem。Theyhadhearts；
　　theylovedwomenandthearts；theybuilt，theyconquered；whereaswiththeexceptionofthewifeofLuther，theHelenofthatIliad，alltheothershadnotenderness，nobeatingoftheheartforanywomanwithwhichtoreproachthemselves。
　　[*]/Momerie/。
　　ThisbriefdigressionwasnecessaryinordertoexplainCalvin’spositioninGeneva。
　　DuringthefirstdaysofthemonthofFebruaryintheyear1561，onasoft，warmeveningsuchaswemaysometimesfindatthatseasononLakeLeman，twohorsemenarrivedatthePre-l’Eveque，——thuscalledbecauseitwastheformercountry-placeoftheBishopofGeneva，drivenfromSwitzerlandaboutthirtyyearsearlier。Thesehorsemen，whonodoubtknewthelawsofGenevaabouttheclosingofthegatesthenanecessityandnowveryridiculousrodeinthedirectionofthePortedeRive；buttheystoppedtheirhorsessuddenlyoncatchingsightofaman，aboutfiftyyearsofage，leaningonthearmofaservant-woman，andwalkingslowlytowardthetown。Thisman，whowasratherstout，walkedwithdifficulty，puttingonefootaftertheotherwithpainapparently，forheworeroundshoesofblackvelvet，lacedinfront。”Itishe！”saidChaudieutotheotherhorseman，whoimmediatelydismounted，threwthereinstohiscompanion，andwentforward，openingwidehisarmstothemanonfoot。
　　Theman，whowasJeanCalvin，drewbacktoavoidtheembrace，castingasternlookathisdisciple。AtfiftyyearsofageCalvinlookedasthoughheweresixty。Stoutandstockyinfigure，heseemedshorterstillbecausethehorriblesufferingsofstoneinthebladderobligedhimtobendalmostdoubleashewalked。Thesepainswerecomplicatedbyattacksofgoutoftheworstkind。Everyonetrembledbeforethatface，almostasbroadasitwaslong，onwhich，inspiteofitsroundness，therewasaslittlehuman-kindnessasonthatofHenrytheEighth，whomCalvingreatlyresembled。Sufferingswhichgavehimnorespiteweremanifestinthedeep-cutlinesstartingfromeachsideofthenoseandfollowingthecurveofthemoustachetilltheywerelostinthethickgraybeard。Thisface，thoughredandinflamedlikethatofaheavydrinker，showedspotswheretheskinwasyellow。Inspiteofthevelvetcap，whichcoveredthehugesquarehead，avastforeheadofnobleshapecouldbeseenandadmired；beneathitshonetwodarkeyes，whichmusthaveflashedforthflameinmomentsofanger。Whetherbyreasonofhisobesity，orbecauseofhisthick，shortneck，orinconsequenceofhisvigilsandhisconstantlabors，Calvin’sheadwassunkbetweenhisbroadshoulders，whichobligedhimtowearaflutedruffofverysmalldimensions，onwhichhisfaceseemedtolieliketheheadofJohntheBaptistonacharger。Betweenhismoustacheandhisbeardcouldbeseen，likearose，hissmallandfreshandeloquentlittlemouth，shapedinperfection。Thefacewasdividedbyasquarenose，remarkablefortheflexibilityofitsentirelength，thetipofwhichwassignificantlyflat，seemingthemoreinharmonywiththeprodigiouspowerexpressedbytheformofthatimperialhead。ThoughitmighthavebeendifficulttodiscoveronhisfeaturesanytraceoftheweeklyheadacheswhichtormentedCalvinintheintervalsoftheslowfeverthatconsumedhim，suffering，ceaselesslyresistedbystudyandbywill，gavetothatmask，superficiallysoflorid，acertainsomethingthatwasterrible。Perhapsthisimpressionwasexplainablebythecolorofasortofgreasylayerontheskin，duetothesedentaryhabitsofthetoiler，showingevidenceoftheperpetualstrugglewhichwentonbetweenthatvaletudinariantemperamentandoneofthestrongestwillseverknowninthehistoryofthehumanmind。
　　Themouth，thoughcharming，hadanexpressionofcruelty。Chastity，necessitatedbyvastdesigns，exactedbysomanysicklyconditions，waswrittenuponthatface。Regretswerethere，notwithstandingtheserenityofthatall-powerfulbrow，togetherwithpainintheglanceofthoseeyes，thecalmnessofwhichwasterrifying。
　　Calvin’scostumebroughtintofullreliefthispowerfulhead。Heworethewell-knowncassockofblackcloth，fastenedroundhiswaistbyablackclothbeltwithabrassbuckle，whichbecamethenceforththedistinctivedressofallCalvinistministers，andwassouninterestingtotheeyethatitforcedthespectator’sattentionuponthewearer’sface。”Isuffertoomuch，Theodore，toembraceyou，”saidCalvintotheelegantcavalier。
　　TheodoredeBeze，thenforty-twoyearsofageandlatelyadmitted，atCalvin’srequest，asaGeneveseburgher，formedaviolentcontrasttotheterriblepastorwhomhehadchosenashissovereignguideandruler。Calvin，likeallburghersraisedtomoralsovereignty，andallinventorsofsocialsystems，waseatenupwithjealousy。Heabhorredhisdisciples；hewantednoequals；hecouldnotbeartheslightestcontradiction。Yettherewasbetweenhimandthisgracefulcavaliersomarkedadifference，TheodoredeBezewasgiftedwithsocharmingapersonalityenhancedbyapolitenesstrainedbycourtlife，andCalvinfelthimtobesounlikehisothersurlyjanissaries，thatthesternreformerdepartedindeBeze’scasefromhisusualhabits。Heneverlovedhim，forthisharshlegislatortotallyignoredallfriendship，but，notfearinghiminthelightofasuccessor，helikedtoplaywithTheodoreasRichelieuplayedwithhiscat；hefoundhimsuppleandagile。SeeinghowadmirablydeBezesucceededinallhismissions，hetookafancytothepolishedinstrumentofwhichheknewhimselfthemainspringandthemanipulator；sotrueisitthatthesternestofmencannotdowithoutsomesemblanceofaffection。TheodorewasCalvin’sspoiltchild；theharshreformerneverscoldedhim；heforgavehimhisdissipations，hisamours，hisfineclothesandhiseleganceoflanguage。PerhapsCalvinwasnotunwillingtoshowthattheReformationhadafewmenoftheworldtocomparewiththemenofthecourt。TheodoredeBezewasanxioustointroduceatasteforthearts，forliterature，andforpoesyintoGeneva，andCalvinlistenedtohisplanswithoutknittinghisthickgrayeyebrows。Thusthecontrastofcharacterandpersonbetweenthesetwocelebratedmenwasascompleteandmarkedasthedifferenceintheirminds。