”Oldsilly，”saidthefurrier；”lethimlive，ifonlytoconverthim。 Yousaid，beforetheapprentices，awordwhichmaysetfiretoourhouse，androastusall，likefleasinastrawbed。”
Themothercrossedherself，andsatdownsilently。”Now，then，you，”saidtheoldman，withajudicialglanceathisson，”explaintomewhatyouweredoingontheriverwith——comecloser，thatImayspeaktoyou，”headded，graspinghissonbythearm，anddrawinghimtohim——”withthePrincedeConde，”hewhispered。
Christophetrembled。”Doyousupposethecourtfurrierdoesnotknoweveryfacethatfrequentsthepalace？ThinkyouIamignorantofwhatisgoingon？MonseigneurtheGrandMasterhasbeengivingorderstosendtroopstoAmboise。WithdrawingtroopsfromParistosendthemtoAmboisewhenthekingisatBlois，andmakingthemmarchthroughChartresandVendome，insteadofgoingbyOrleans——isn’tthemeaningofthatclearenough？There’llbetroubles。Ifthequeenswanttheirsurcoats，theymustsendforthem。ThePrincedeCondehasperhapsmadeuphismindtokillMessieursdeGuise；who，ontheirside，expecttoridthemselvesofhim。TheprincewillusetheHuguenotstoprotecthimself。Whyshouldthesonofafurriergethimselfintothatfray？Whenyouaremarried，andwhenyouarecouncillortotheParliament，youwillbeasprudentasyourfather。Beforebelongingtothenewreligion，thesonofafurrieroughttowaituntiltherestoftheworldbelongstoit。Idon’tcondemntheReformers；itisnotmybusinesstodoso；butthecourtisCatholic，thetwoqueensareCatholic，theParliamentisCatholic；wemustsupplythemwithfurs，andthereforewemustbeCatholicourselves。Youshallnotgooutfromhere，Christophe；ifyoudo，Iwillsendyoutoyourgodfather，PresidentdeThou，whowillkeepyounightanddayblackeningpaper，insteadofblackeningyoursoulincompanywiththosedamnedGenevese。””Father，”saidChristophe，leaninguponthebackoftheoldman’schair，”sendmetoBloistocarrythatsurcoattoQueenMaryandgetourmoneyfromthequeen-mother。Ifyoudonot，Iamlost；andyoucareforyourson。””Lost？”repeatedtheoldman，withoutshowingtheleastsurprise。”Ifyoustayhereyoucan’tbelost；Ishallhavemyeyeonyouallthetime。””Theywillkillmehere。””Why？””ThemostpowerfulamongtheHuguenotshavecasttheireyesonmetoservetheminacertainmatter；ifIfailtodowhatIhavejustpromisedtodo，theywillkillmeinopenday，hereinthestreet，astheykilledMinard。Butifyousendmetocourtonyouraffairs，perhapsIcanjustifymyselfequallywelltobothsides。EitherI
shallsucceedwithouthavingrunanydangeratall，andshallthenwinafinepositionintheparty；or，ifthedangerturnsoutverygreat，Ishallbetheresimplyonyourbusiness。”
Thefatherroseasifhischairwasofred-hotiron。”Wife，”hesaid，”leaveus；andwatchthatweareleftquitealone，ChristopheandI。”
WhenMademoiselleLecamushadleftthemthefurriertookhissonbyabuttonandledhimtothecorneroftheroomwhichmadetheangleofthebridge。”Christophe，”hesaid，whisperinginhisearashehaddonewhenhementionedthenameofthePrinceofConde，”beaHuguenot，ifyouhavethatvice；butbesocautiously，inthedepthsofyoursoul，andnotinawaytobepointedatasahereticthroughoutthequarter。Whatyouhavejustconfessedtomeshowsthattheleadershaveconfidenceinyou。Whatareyougoingtodoforthematcourt？””Icannottellyouthat，”repliedChristophe；”forIdonotknowmyself。””Hum！hum！”mutteredtheoldman，lookingathisson，”thescampmeanstohoodwinkhisfather；he’llgofar。Youarenotgoingtocourt，”hewentoninalowtone，”tocarryremittancestoMessieursdeGuiseortothelittlekingourmaster，ortothelittleQueenMarie。AllthoseheartsareCatholic；butIwouldtakemyoaththeItalianwomanhassomespiteagainsttheScotchgirlandagainsttheLorrains。Iknowher。Shehasadesperatedesiretoputherhandintothedough。Thelatekingwassoafraidofherthathedidasthejewellersdo，hecutdiamondbydiamond，hepittedonewomanagainstanother。ThatcausedQueenCatherine’shatredtothepoorDuchessedeValentinois，fromwhomshetookthebeautifulchateauofChenonceaux。Ifithadn’tbeenfortheConnetable，theduchessmighthavebeenstrangled。Back，back，myson；don’tputyourselfinthehandsofthatItalian，whohasnopassionexceptinherbrain；andthat’sabadkindofwoman！Yes，whattheyaresendingyoutodoatcourtmaygiveyouaverybadheadache，”
criedthefather，seeingthatChristophewasabouttoreply。”Myson，IhaveplansforyourfuturewhichyouwillnotupsetbymakingyourselfusefultoQueenCatherine；but，heavensandearth！don’triskyourhead。MessieursdeGuisewouldcutitoffaseasilyastheBurgundiancutsaturnip，andthenthosepersonswhoarenowemployingyouwilldisownyouutterly。””Iknowthat，father，”saidChristophe。”What！areyoureallysostrong，myson？Youknowit，andarewillingtoriskall？””Yes，father。””Bythepowersaboveus！”criedthefather，pressinghissoninhisarms，”wecanunderstandeachother；youareworthyofyourfather。Mychild，you’llbethehonorofthefamily，andIseethatyouroldfathercanspeakplainlywithyou。ButdonotbemoreHuguenotthanMessieursdeColigny。Neverdrawyoursword；beapenman；keeptoyourfutureroleoflawyer。Now，then，tellmenothinguntilafteryouhavesucceeded。IfIdonothearfromyoubythefourthdayafteryoureachBlois，thatsilencewilltellmethatyouareinsomedanger。
Theoldmanwillgotosavetheyoungone。Ihavenotsoldfursforthirty-twoyearswithoutagoodknowledgeofthewrongsideofcourtrobes。Ihavethemeansofmakingmywaythroughmanydoors。”
Christopheopenedhiseyesverywideasheheardhisfathertalkingthus；buthethoughttheremightbesomeparentaltrapinit，andhemadenoreplyfurtherthantosay:——”Well，makeoutthebill，andwritealettertothequeen；Imuststartatonce，orthegreatestmisfortunesmayhappen。””Start？How？””Ishallbuyahorse。Writeatonce，inGod’sname。””Hey！mother！giveyoursonsomemoney，”criedthefurriertohiswife。
Themotherreturned，wenttoherchest，tookoutapurseofgold，andgaveittoChristophe，whokissedherwithemotion。”Thebillwasallready，”saidhisfather；”hereitis。Iwillwritetheletteratonce。”
Christophetookthebillandputitinhispocket。”Butyouwillsupwithus，atanyrate，”saidtheoldman。”InsuchacrisisyououghttoexchangeringswithLallier’sdaughter。””Verywell，Iwillgoandfetchher，”saidChristophe。
Theyoungmanwasdistrustfulofhisfather’sstabilityinthematter。
Theoldman’scharacterwasnotyetfullyknowntohim。Heranuptohisroom，dressedhimself，tookavalise，camedownstairssoftlyandlaiditonacounterintheshop，togetherwithhisrapierandcloak。”Whatthedevilareyoudoing？”askedhisfather，hearinghim。
Christophecameuptotheoldmanandkissedhimonbothcheeks。”Idon’twantanyonetoseemypreparationsfordeparture，andIhaveputthemonacounterintheshop，”hewhispered。”Hereistheletter，”saidhisfather。
Christophetookthepaperandwentoutasiftofetchhisyoungneighbor。
AfewmomentsafterhisdeparturethegoodmanLallierandhisdaughterarrived，precededbyaservant-woman，bearingthreebottlesofoldwine。”Well，whereisChristophe？”saidoldLecamus。”Christophe！”exclaimedBabette。”Wehavenotseenhim。””Ha！ha！mysonisaboldscamp！HetricksmeasifIhadnobeard。Mydearcrony，whatthinkyouhewillturnouttobe？Weliveindayswhenthechildrenhavemoresensethantheirfathers。””Why，thequarterhaslongbeensayingheisinsomemischief，”saidLallier。”Excusehimonthatpoint，crony，”saidthefurrier。”Youthisfoolish；itrunsafternewthings；butBabettewillkeephimquiet；
sheisnewerthanCalvin。”
Babettesmiled；shelovedChristophe，andwasangrywhenanythingwassaidagainsthim。Shewasoneofthosedaughtersoftheoldbourgeoisiebroughtupundertheeyesofamotherwhoneverlefther。
Herbearingwasgentleandcorrectasherface；shealwaysworewoollenstuffsofgray，harmoniousintone；herchemisette，simplypleated，contrasteditswhitenessagainstthegown。Hercapofbrownvelvetwaslikeaninfant’scoif，butitwastrimmedwitharucheandlappetsoftannedgauze，thatis，ofatancolor，whichcamedownoneachsideofherface。Thoughfairandwhiteasatrueblonde，sheseemedtobeshrewdandroguish，allthewhiletryingtohideherroguishnessundertheairandmannerofawell-trainedgirl。Whilethetwoservant-womenwentandcame，layingtheclothandplacingthejugs，thegreatpewterdishes，andtheknivesandforks，thejewellerandhisdaughter，thefurrierandhiswife，satbeforethetallchimney-piecedrapedwithlambrequinsofredsergeandblackfringes，andweretalkingoftrifles。BabetteaskedonceortwicewhereChristophecouldbe，andthefatherandmotheroftheyoungHuguenotgaveevasiveanswers；butwhenthetwofamilieswereseatedattable，andthetwoservantshadretiredtothekitchen，Lecamussaidtohisfuturedaughter-in-law:——”Christophehasgonetocourt。””ToBlois！Suchajourneyasthatwithoutbiddingmegood-bye！”shesaid。”Thematterwaspressing，”saidtheoldmother。”Crony，”saidthefurrier，resumingasuspendedconversation。”WearegoingtohavetroubloustimesinFrance。TheReformersarebestirringthemselves。””Iftheytriumph，itwillonlybeafteralongwar，duringwhichbusinesswillbeatastandstill，”saidLallier，incapableofrisinghigherthanthecommercialsphere。”Myfather，whosawthewarsbetweentheBurgundiansandtheArmagnacstoldmethatourfamilywouldneverhavecomeoutsafelyifoneofhisgrandfathers——hismother’sfather——hadnotbeenaGoix，oneofthosefamousbutchersintheMarketwhostoodbytheBurgundians；whereastheother，theLecamus，wasfortheArmagnacs；theyseemedreadytoflayeachotheralivebeforetheworld，buttheywereexcellentfriendsinthefamily。So，letusbothtrytosaveChristophe；perhapsthetimemaycomewhenhewillsaveus。””Youareashrewdone，”saidthejeweller。”No，”repliedLecamus。”Theburghersoughttothinkofthemselves；thepopulaceandthenobilityarebothagainstthem。TheParisianbourgeoisiealarmseverybodyexcepttheking，whoknowsitishisfriend。””Youwhoaresowiseandhaveseensomanythings，”saidBabette，timidly，”explaintomewhattheReformersreallywant。””Yes，tellusthat，crony，”criedthejeweller。”Iknewthelateking’stailor，andIheldhimtobeamanofsimplelife，withoutgreattalent；hewassomethinglikeyou；amantowhomthey’dgivethesacramentwithoutconfession；andbehold！heplungedtothedepthsofthisnewreligion，——he！amanwhosetwoearswereworthallofahundredthousandcrownsapiece。HemusthavehadsecretstorevealtoinducethekingandtheDuchessedeValentinoistobepresentathistorture。””Andterriblesecrets，too！”saidthefurrier。”TheReformation，myfriends，”hecontinuedinalowvoice，”willgivebacktothebourgeoisietheestatesoftheChurch。WhentheecclesiasticalprivilegesaresuppressedtheReformersintendtoaskthatthe/vilain/shallbeimposedonnoblesaswellasonburghers，andtheymeantoinsistthatthekingaloneshallbeaboveothers——ifindeed，theyallowtheStatetohaveaking。””SuppresstheThrone！”ejaculatedLallier。”Hey！crony，”saidLecamus，”intheLowCountriestheburghersgovernthemselveswithburgomastersoftheirown，whoelecttheirowntemporaryhead。””Godblessme，crony；weoughttodothesefinethingsandyetstayCatholics，”criedthejeweller。”Wearetooold，youandI，toseethetriumphoftheParisianbourgeoisie，butitwilltriumph，Itellyou，intimestocomeasitdidofyore。Ha！thekingmustrestuponitinordertoresist，andwehavealwayssoldhimourhelpdear。Thelasttime，alltheburgherswereennobled，andhegavethempermissiontobuyseignorialestatesandtaketitlesfromthelandwithoutspeciallettersfromtheking。
YouandI，grandsonsoftheGoixthroughourmothers，arenotweasgoodasanylord？”
Thesewordsweresoalarmingtothejewellerandthetwowomenthattheywerefollowedbyadeadsilence。Thefermentsof1789werealreadytinglingintheveinsofLecamus，whowasnotyetsooldbutwhathecouldlivetoseetheboldburghersoftheLigue。”Areyousellingwellinspiteofthesetroubles？”saidLalliertoMademoiselleLecamus。”Troublesalwaysdoharm，”shereplied。”That’sonereasonwhyIamsosetonmakingmysonalawyer，”saidLecamus；”forsquabblesandlawgoonforever。”
Theconversationthenturnedtocommonplacetopics，tothegreatsatisfactionofthejeweller，whowasnotfondofeitherpoliticaltroublesoraudacityofthought。
III
THECHATEAUDEBLOIS
ThebanksoftheLoire，fromBloistoAngers，werethefavoriteresortofthelasttwobranchesoftheroyalracewhichoccupiedthethronebeforethehouseofBourbon。Thatbeautifulvalleyplainsowelldeservesthehonorbestoweduponitbykingsthatwemusthererepeatwhatwassaidofitbyoneofourmosteloquentwriters:——”ThereisoneprovinceinFrancewhichisneversufficientlyadmired。FragrantasItaly，floweryasthebanksoftheGuadalquivir，beautifulespeciallyinitsowncharacteristics，whollyFrench，havingalwaysbeenFrench，——unlikeinthatrespecttoournorthernprovinces，whichhavedegeneratedbycontactwithGermany，andtooursouthernprovinces，whichhavelivedinconcubinagewithMoors，Spaniards，andallothernationalitiesthatadjoinedthem。Thispure，chaste，brave，andloyalprovinceisTouraine。HistoricFranceisthere！AuvergneisAuvergne，LanguedocisonlyLanguedoc；butTouraineisFrance；themostnationalriverforFrenchmenistheLoire，whichwatersTouraine。
Forthisreasonweoughtnottobesurprisedatthegreatnumberofhistoricallynoblebuildingspossessedbythosedepartmentswhichhavetakenthename，orderivationsofthename，oftheLoire。Ateverystepwetakeinthislandofenchantmentwediscoveranewpicture，bordered，itmaybe，byariver，oratranquillakereflectinginitsliquiddepthsacastlewithtowers，andwoodsandsparklingwaterfalls。ItisquitenaturalthatinaregionchosenbyRoyaltyforitssojourn，wherethecourtwaslongestablished，greatfamiliesandfortunesanddistinguishedmenshouldhavesettledandbuiltpalacesasgrandasthemselves。”
ButisitnotincomprehensiblethatRoyaltydidnotfollowtheadviceindirectlygivenbyLouisXI。toplacethecapitalofthekingdomatTours？There，withoutgreatexpense，theLoiremighthavebeenmadeaccessibleforthemerchantservice，andalsoforvessels-of-waroflightdraught。There，too，theseatofgovernmentwouldhavebeensafefromthedangersofinvasion。Hadthisbeendone，thenortherncitieswouldnothaverequiredsuchvastsumsofmoneyspenttofortifythem，——sumsasvastaswerethoseexpendedonthesumptuousgloriesofVersailles。IfLouisXIV。hadlistenedtoVauban，whowishedtobuildhisgreatpalaceatMontLouis，betweentheLoireandtheCher，perhapstherevolutionof1789mightneverhavetakenplace。
Thesebeautifulshoresstillbearthemarksofroyaltenderness。ThechateausofChambord，Amboise，Blois，Chenonceaux，Chaumont，Plessis-
les-Tours，allthosewhichthemistressesofkings，financiers，andnoblesbuiltatVeretz，Azay-le-Rideau，Usse，Villandri，Valencay，Chanteloup，Duretal，someofwhichhavedisappeared，thoughmostofthemstillremain，areadmirablerelicswhichremindusofthemarvelsofaperiodthatislittleunderstoodbytheliterarysectoftheMiddle-agists。
Amongallthesechateaus，thatofBlois，wherethecourtwasthenstaying，isoneonwhichthemagnificenceofthehousesofOrleansandofValoishasplaceditsbrilliantsign-manual，——makingitthemostinterestingofallforhistorians，archaeologists，andCatholics。Itwasatthetimeofwhichwewritecompletelyisolated。Thetown，enclosedbymassivewallssupportedbytowers，laybelowthefortress，——forthechateauserved，infact，asfortandpleasure-house。Abovethetown，withitsblue-tiled，crowdedroofsextendingthen，asnow，fromtherivertothecrestofthehillwhichcommandstherightbank，liesatriangularplateau，boundedtothewestbyastreamlet，whichinthesedaysisofnoimportance，foritflowsbeneaththetown；butinthefifteenthcentury，sosayhistorians，itformedquiteadeepravine，ofwhichtherestillremainsasunkenroad，almostanabyss，betweenthesuburbsofthetownandthechateau。
Itwasonthisplateau，withadoubleexposuretothenorthandsouth，thatthecountsofBloisbuilt，inthearchitectureofthetwelfthcentury，acastlewherethefamousThibaultdeTircheur，ThibaultleVieux，andothersheldacelebratedcourt。Inthosedaysofpurefuedality，inwhichthekingwasmerely/primusinterpares/(tousethefineexpressionofakingofPoland)，thecountsofChampagne，thecountsofBlois，thoseofAnjou，thesimplebaronsofNormandie，thedukesofBretagne，livedwiththesplendorofsovereignprincesandgavekingstotheproudestkingdoms。ThePlantagenetsofAnjou，theLusignansofPoitou，theRobertsofNormandie，maintainedwithaboldhandtheroyalraces，andsometimessimpleknightslikeduGlaicquinrefusedthepurple，preferringtheswordofaconnetable。
WhentheCrownannexedthecountyofBloistoitsdomain，LouisXII。，whohadalikingforthisresidence(perhapstoescapePlessisofsinistermemory)，builtatthebackofthefirstbuildinganotherbuilding，facingeastandwest，whichconnectedthechateauofthecountsofBloiswiththerestoftheoldstructures，ofwhichnothingnowremainsbutthevasthallinwhichtheStates-generalwereheldunderHenriIII。
BeforehebecameenamouredofChambord，FrancoisI。wishedtocompletethechateauofBloisbyaddingtwootherwings，whichwouldhavemadethestructureaperfectsquare。ButChambordweanedhimfromBlois，wherehebuiltonlyonewing，whichinhistimeandthatofhisgrandchildrenwastheonlyinhabitedpartofthechateau。ThisthirdbuildingerectedbyFrancoisI。ismorevastandfarmoredecoratedthantheLouvre，thechateauofHenriII。ItisinthestyleofarchitecturenowcalledRenaissance，andpresentsthemostfantasticfeaturesofthatstyle。Therefore，ataperiodwhenastrictandjealousarchitectureruledconstruction，whentheMiddleAgeswerenotevenconsidered，atatimewhenliteraturewasnotasclearlyweldedtoartasitisnow，LaFontainesaidofthechateaudeBlois，inhishearty，good-humoredway:”ThepartthatFrancoisI。built，iflookedatfromtheoutside，pleasedmebetterthanalltherest；thereIsawnumbersoflittlegalleries，littlewindows，littlebalconies，littleornamentationswithoutorderorregularity，andtheymakeupagrandwholewhichIlike。”
ThechateauofBloishad，therefore，themeritofrepresentingthreeordersofarchitecture，threeepochs，threesystems，threedominions。
Perhapsthereisnootherroyalresidencethatcancomparewithitinthatrespect。Thisimmensestructurepresentstotheeyeinoneenclosure，roundonecourtyard，acompleteandperfectimageofthatgrandpresentationofthemannersandcustomsandlifeofnationswhichiscalledArchitecture。AtthemomentwhenChristophewastovisitthecourt，thatpartoftheadjacentlandwhichinourdayiscoveredbyafourthpalace，builtseventyyearslater(byGaston，therebelliousbrotherofLouisXIII。，thenexiledtoBlois)，wasanopenspacecontainingpleasure-groundsandhanginggardens，picturesquelyplacedamongthebattlementsandunfinishedturretsofFrancoisI。’schateau。
Thesegardenscommunicated，byabridgeofafine，boldconstruction(whichtheoldmenofBloismaystillremembertohaveseendemolished)withapleasure-groundontheothersideofthechateau，which，bythelayoftheland，wasonthesamelevel。ThenoblesattachedtotheCourtofAnnedeBretagne，orthoseofthatprovincewhocametosolicitfavors，ortoconferwiththequeenastothefateandconditionofBrittany，awaitedinthispleasure-groundtheopportunityforanaudience，eitheratthequeen’srising，orathercomingouttowalk。Consequently，historyhasgiventhenameof”PerchoirauxBretons”tothispieceofground，which，inourday，isthefruit-gardenofaworthybourgeois，andformsaprojectionintotheplacedesJesuites。Thelatterplacewasincludedinthegardensofthisbeautifulroyalresidence，whichhad，aswehavesaid，itsupperanditslowergardens。NotfarfromtheplacedesJesuitesmaystillbeseenapavilionbuiltbyCatherinede’Medici，where，accordingtothehistoriansofBlois，warmmineralbathswereplacedforhertouse。Thisdetailenablesustotracetheveryirregulardispositionofthegardens，whichwentupordownaccordingtotheundulationsoftheground，becomingextremelyintricatearoundthechateau，——afactwhichhelpedtogiveitstrength，andcaused，asweshallsee，thediscomfitureoftheDucdeGuise。
Thegardenswerereachedfromthechateauthroughexternalandinternalgalleries，themostimportantofwhichwascalledthe”GaleriedesCerfs”onaccountofitsdecoration。Thisgalleryledtothemagnificentstaircasewhich，nodoubt，inspiredthefamousdoublestaircaseofChambord。Itled，fromfloortofloor，toalltheapartmentsofthecastle。
ThoughLaFontainepreferredthechateauofFrancoisI。tothatofLouisXII。，perhapsthenaiveteofthatofthegoodkingwillgivetrueartistsmorepleasure，whileatthesametimetheyadmirethemagnificentstructureoftheknightlyking。TheeleganceofthetwostaircaseswhichareplacedateachendofthechateauofLouisXII。，thedelicatecarvingandsculpture，sooriginalindesign，whichaboundeverywhere，theremainsofwhich，thoughtimehasdoneitsworst，stillcharmtheantiquary，all，eventothesemi-cloistraldistributionoftheapartments，revealsagreatsimplicityofmanners。
Evidently，the/court/didnotyetexist；ithadnotdeveloped，asitdidunderFrancoisI。andCatherinede’Medici，tothegreatdetrimentoffeudalcustoms。Asweadmirethegalleries，ormostofthem，thecapitalsofthecolumns，andcertainfigurinesofexquisitedelicacy，itisimpossiblenottoimaginethatMichelColumb，thatgreatsculptor，theMichel-AngeloofBrittany，passedthatwayforthepleasureofQueenAnne，whomheafterwardsimmortalizedonthetombofherfather，thelastdukeofBrittany。
WhateverLaFontainemaychoosetosayaboutthe”littlegalleries”
andthe”littleornamentations，”nothingcanbemoregrandiosethanthedwellingofthesplendidFrancois。ThankstoIknownotwhatindifference，toforgetfulnessperhaps，theapartmentsoccupiedbyCatherinede’MediciandhersonFrancoisII。presenttousto-daytheleadingfeaturesofthattime。ThehistoriancanthererestorethetragicscenesofthedramaoftheReformation，——adramainwhichthedualstruggleoftheGuisesandoftheBourbonsagainsttheValoiswasaseriesofmostcomplicatedacts，theplotofwhichwashereunravelled。
ThechateauofFrancoisI。completelycrushestheartlesshabitationofLouisXII。byitsimposingmasses。Onthesideofthegardens，thatis，towardthemodernplacedesJesuites，thecastlepresentsanelevationnearlydoublethatwhichitshowsonthesideofthecourtyard。Theground-flooronthissideformsthesecondflooronthesideofthegardens，whereareplacedthecelebratedgalleries。Thusthefirstfloorabovetheground-floortowardthecourtyard(whereQueenCatherinewaslodged)isthethirdflooronthegardenside，andtheking’sapartmentswerefourstoreysabovethegarden，whichatthetimeofwhichwewritewasseparatedfromthebaseofthecastlebyadeepmoat。Thechateau，alreadycolossalasviewedfromthecourtyard，appearsgiganticwhenseenfrombelow，asLaFontainesawit。Hementionsparticularlythathedidnotentereitherthecourtyardortheapartments，anditistoberemarkedthatfromtheplacedesJesuitesallthedetailsseemsmall。Thebalconiesonwhichthecourtierspromenaded；thegalleries，marvellouslyexecuted；thesculpturedwindows，whoseembrasuresaresodeepastoformboudoirs——
forwhichindeedtheyserved——resembleatthatgreatheightthefantasticdecorationswhichscene-paintersgivetoafairypalaceattheopera。
Butinthecourtyard，althoughthethreestoreysabovetheground-
floorriseashighastheclock-toweroftheTuileries，theinfinitedelicacyofthearchitecturerevealsitselftotheraptureofourastonishedeyes。Thiswingofthegreatbuilding，inwhichthetwoqueens，Catherinede’MediciandMaryStuart，heldtheirsumptuouscourt，isdividedinthecentrebyahexagontower，intheemptywellofwhichwindsupaspiralstaircase，——aMoorishcaprice，designedbygiants，madebydwarfs，whichgivestothiswonderfulfacadetheeffectofadream。Thebalusterofthisstaircaseformsaspiralconnectingitselfbyasquarelandingtofiveofthesixsidesofthetower，requiringateachlandingtransversalcorbelswhicharedecoratedwitharabesquecarvingswithoutandwithin。Thisbewilderingcreationofingeniousanddelicatedetails，ofmarvelswhichgivespeechtostones，canbecomparedonlytothedeeplyworkedandcrowdedcarvingoftheChineseivories。Stoneismadetolooklikelace-work。Theflowers，thefiguresofmenandanimalsclingingtothestructureofthestairway，aremultiplied，stepbystep，untiltheycrownthetowerwithakey-stoneonwhichthechiselsoftheartofthesixteenthcenturyhavecontendedagainstthenaivecuttersofimageswhofiftyyearsearlierhadcarvedthekey-stonesofLouisXII。’stwostairways。
Howeverdazzledwemaybebytheserecurringformsofindefatigablelabor，wecannotfailtoseethatmoneywaslackingtoFrancoisI。forBlois，asitwastoLouisXIV。forVersailles。Morethanonefigurineliftsitsdelicateheadfromablockofroughstonebehindit；morethanonefantasticflowerismerelyindicatedbychiselledtouchesontheabandonedstone，thoughdampnesshassincelaiditsblossomsofmouldygreeneryuponit。Onthefacade，sidebysidewiththetraceryofonewindow，anotherwindowpresentsitsmassesofjaggedstonecarvedonlybythehandoftime。Here，totheleastartisticandtheleasttrainedeye，isaravishingcontrastbetweenthisfrontage，wheremarvelsthrong，andtheinteriorfrontageofthechateauofLouisXII。，whichiscomposedofaground-floorofarcadesoffairylightnesssupportedbytinycolumnsrestingattheirbaseonagracefulplatform，andoftwostoreysaboveit，thewindowsofwhicharecarvedwithdelightfulsobriety。Beneaththearcadeisagallery，thewallsofwhicharepaintedinfresco，theceilingalsobeingpainted；tracescanstillbefoundofthismagnificence，derivedfromItaly，andtestifyingtotheexpeditionsofourkings，towhichtheprincipalityofMilanthenbelonged。
OppositetoFrancoisI。’swingwasthechapelofthecountsofBlois，thefacadeofwhichisalmostinharmonywiththearchitectureofthelaterdwellingofLouisXII。Nowordscanpicturethemajesticsolidityofthesethreedistinctmassesofbuilding。Inspiteoftheirnonconformityofstyle，Royalty，powerfulandfirm，demonstratingitsdangersbythegreatnessofitsprecautions，wasabond，unitingthesethreeedifices，sodifferentincharacter，twoofwhichrestedagainstthevasthalloftheStates-general，toweringhighlikeachurch。
Certainly，neitherthesimplicitynorthestrengthoftheburgherexistence(whichweredepictedatthebeginningofthishistory)inwhichArtwasalwaysrepresented，werelackingtothisroyalhabitation。BloiswasthefruitfulandbrilliantexampletowhichtheBourgeoisieandFeudality，WealthandNobility，gavesuchsplendidrepliesinthetownsandintheruralregions。ImaginationcouldnotdesireanyothersortofdwellingfortheprincewhoreignedoverFranceinthesixteenthcentury。Therichnessofseignorialgarments，theluxuryoffemaleadornment，musthaveharmonizeddelightfullywiththelace-workofthesestonessowonderfullymanipulated。Fromfloortofloor，asthekingofFrancewentupthemarvellousstaircaseofhischateauofBlois，hecouldseethebroadexpanseofthebeautifulLoire，whichbroughthimnewsofallhiskingdomasitlayoneithersideofthegreatriver，twohalvesofaStatefacingeachother，andsemi-rivals。If，insteadofbuildingChambordinabarren，gloomyplaintwoleaguesaway，FrancoisI。hadplaceditwhere，seventyyearslater，Gastonbuilthispalace，Versailleswouldneverhaveexisted，andBloiswouldhavebecome，necessarily，thecapitalofFrance。
FourValoisandCatherinede’MedicilavishedtheirwealthonthewingbuiltbyFrancoisI。atBlois。Whocanlookatthosemassivepartition-walls，thespinalcolumnofthecastle，inwhicharesunkendeepalcoves，secretstaircases，cabinets，whiletheythemselvesenclosehallsasvastasthatgreatcouncil-room，theguardroom，andtheroyalchambers，inwhich，inourday，aregimentofinfantryiscomfortablylodged——whocanlookatallthisandnotbeawareoftheprodigalitiesofCrownandcourt？Evenifavisitordoesnotatonceunderstandhowthesplendorwithinmusthavecorrespondedwiththesplendorwithout，theremainingvestigesofCatherinede’Medici’scabinet，whereChristophewasabouttobeintroduced，wouldbearsufficienttestimonytotheelegancesofArtwhichpeopledtheseapartmentswithanimateddesignsinwhichsalamanderssparkledamongthewreaths，andthepaletteofthesixteenthcenturyilluminedthedarkestcornerswithitsbrilliantcoloring。InthiscabinetanobserverwillstillfindtracesofthattasteforgildingwhichCatherinebroughtwithherfromItaly；fortheprincessesofherhouseloved，inthewordsoftheauthoralreadyquoted，toveneerthecastlesofFrancewiththegoldearnedbytheirancestorsincommerce，andtohangouttheirwealthonthewallsoftheirapartments。
Thequeen-motheroccupiedonthefirstupperflooroftheapartmentsofQueenClaudeofFrance，wifeofFrancoisI。，inwhichmaystillbeseen，delicatelycarved，thedoubleCaccompaniedbyfigures，purelywhite，ofswansandlilies，signifying/candidiorcandidis/——morewhitethanthewhitest——themottoofthequeenwhosenamebegan，likethatofCatherine，withaC，andwhichappliedaswelltothedaughterofLouisXII。astothemotherofthelastValois；fornosuspicion，inspiteoftheviolenceofCalvinistcalumny，hastarnishedthefidelityofCatherinede’MedicitoHenriII。
Thequeen-mother，stillchargedwiththecareoftwoyoungchildren(himwhowasafterwardDucd’Alencon，andMarguerite，thewifeofHenriIV。，thesisterwhomCharlesIX。calledMargot)，hadneedofthewholeofthefirstupperfloor。
Theking，FrancoisII。，andthequeen，MaryStuart，occupied，onthesecondfloor，theroyalapartmentswhichhadformerlybeenthoseofFrancoisI。andwere，subsequently，thoseofHenriIII。Thisfloor，likethattakenbythequeen-mother，isdividedintwopartsthroughoutitswholelengthbythefamouspartition-wall，whichismorethanfourfeetthick，againstwhichreststheenormouswallswhichseparatetheroomsfromeachother。Thus，onbothfloors，theapartmentsareintwodistincthalves。Onehalf，tothesouth，lookingtothecourtyard，servedforpublicreceptionsandforthetransactionofbusiness；whereastheprivateapartmentswereplaced，partlytoescapetheheat，tothenorth，overlookingthegardens，onwhichsideisthesplendidfacadewithitsbalconiesandgallerieslookingoutupontheopencountryoftheVendomois，anddownuponthe”PerchoirdesBretons”andthemoat，theonlysideofwhichLaFontainespeaks。
ThechateauofFrancoisI。was，inthosedays，terminatedbyanenormousunfinishedtowerwhichwasintendedtomarkthecolossalangleofthebuildingwhenthesucceedingwingwasbuilt。Later，Gastontookdownonesideofit，inordertobuildhispalaceontoit；butheneverfinishedthework，andthetowerremainedinruins。
Thisroyalstrongholdservedasaprisonordungeon，accordingtopopulartradition。
Aswewanderto-daythroughthehallsofthismatchlesschateau，soprecioustoartandtohistory，whatpoetwouldnotbehauntedbyregrets，andgrievedforFrance，atseeingthearabesquesofCatherine’sboudoir/whitewashed/andalmostobliterated，byorderofthequartermasterofthebarracks(thisroyalresidenceisnowabarrack)atthetimeofanoutbreakofcholera。ThepanelsofCatherine’sboudoir，aroomofwhichweareabouttospeak，isthelastremainingrelicoftherichdecorationsaccumulatedbyfiveartistickings。Makingourwaythroughthelabyrinthofchambers，halls，stairways，towers，wemaysaytoourselveswithsolemncertitude:”HereMaryStuartcajoledherhusbandonbehalfoftheGuises。””There，theGuisesinsultedCatherine。””Later，atthatveryspotthesecondBalafrefellbeneaththedaggersoftheavengersoftheCrown。””Acenturyearlier，fromthisverywindow，LouisXII。madesignstohisfriendCardinald’Amboisetocometohim。””Here，onthisbalcony，d’Epernon，theaccompliceofRavaillac，metMariede’Medici，whoknew，itwassaid，oftheproposedregicide，andallowedittobecommitted。”
Inthechapel，wherethemarriageofHenriIV。andMargueritedeValoistookplace，thesoleremainingfragmentofthechateauofthecountsofBlois，aregimentnowmakesitshoes。Thiswonderfulstructure，inwhichsomanystylesmaystillbeseen，somanygreatdeedshavebeenperformed，isinastateofdilapidationwhichdisgracesFrance。Whatgriefforthosewholovethegreathistoricmonumentsofourcountrytoknowthatsoonthoseeloquentstoneswillbelosttosightandknowledge，likeothersatthecorneroftheruedelaVieille-Pelleterie；possibly，theywillexistnowherebutinthesepages。
Itisnecessarytoremarkthat，inordertowatchtheroyalcourtmoreclosely，theGuises，althoughtheyhadahouseoftheirowninthetown，whichstillexists，hadobtainedpermissiontooccupytheupperfloorabovetheapartmentsofLouisXII。，thesamelodgingsafterwardsoccupiedbytheDuchessedeNemoursundertheroof。
Theyoungking，FrancoisII。，andhisbrideMaryStuart，inlovewitheachotherlikethegirlandboyofsixteenwhichtheywere，hadbeenabruptlytransferred，inthedepthofwinter，fromthechateaudeSaint-Germain，whichtheDucdeGuisethoughtliabletoattack，tothefortresswhichthechateauofBloisthenwas，beingisolatedandprotectedonthreesidesbyprecipices，andadmirablydefendedastoitsentrance。TheGuises，unclesofMaryStuart，hadpowerfulreasonsfornotresidinginParisandforkeepingthekingandcourtinacastlethewholeexteriorsurroundingsofwhichcouldeasilybewatchedanddefended。Astrugglewasnowbeginningaroundthethrone，betweenthehouseofLorraineandthehouseofValois，whichwasdestinedtoendinthisverychateau，twenty-eightyearslater，namelyin1588，whenHenriIII。，undertheveryeyesofhismother，atthatmomentdeeplyhumiliatedbytheLorrains，heardfalluponthefloorofhisowncabinet，theheadoftheboldestofalltheGuises，thesecondBalafre，sonofthatfirstBalafrebywhomCatherinede’Mediciwasnowbeingtricked，watched，threatened，andvirtuallyimprisoned。
IV
THEQUEEN-MOTHER
ThisnoblechateauofBloiswastoCatherinede’Medicithenarrowestofprisons。Onthedeathofherhusband，whohadalwaysheldherinsubjection，sheexpectedtoreign；but，onthecontrary，shefoundherselfcrushedunderthethraldomofstrangers，whosepolishedmannerswerereallyfarmorebrutalthanthoseofjailers。Noactionofherscouldbedonesecretly。ThewomenwhoattendedhereitherhadloversamongtheGuisesorwerewatchedbyArguseyes。TheseweretimeswhenpassionsnotablyexhibitedthestrangeeffectsproducedinallagesbythestrongantagonismoftwopowerfulconflictinginterestsintheState。Gallantry，whichservedCatherinesowell，wasalsoanauxiliaryoftheGuises。ThePrincedeConde，thefirstleaderoftheReformation，wasaloveroftheMarechaledeSaint-Andre，whosehusbandwasthetooloftheGrandMaster。Thecardinal，convincedbytheaffairoftheVidamedeChartres，thatCatherinewasmoreunconqueredthaninvulnerableastolove，waspayingcourttoher。Theplayofallthesepassionsstrangelycomplicatedthoseofpolitics，——
making，asitwere，adoublegameofchess，inwhichbothpartieshadtowatchtheheadandheartoftheiropponent，inordertoknow，whenacrisiscame，whethertheonewouldbetraytheother。
ThoughshewasconstantlyinpresenceoftheCardinaldeLorraineorofDucFrancoisdeGuise，whobothdistrustedher，theclosestandablestenemyofCatherinede’Mediciwasherdaughter-in-law，QueenMary，afairlittlecreature，maliciousasawaiting-maid，proudasaStuartwearingthreecrowns，learnedasanoldpedant，giddyasaschool-girl，asmuchinlovewithherhusbandasacourtesaniswithherlover，devotedtoheruncleswhomsheadmired，anddelightedtoseethekingshare(atherinstigation)theregardshehadforthem。A
mother-in-lawisalwaysapersonwhomthedaughter-in-lawisinclinednottolike；especiallywhenshewearsthecrownandwishestoretainit，whichCatherinehadimprudentlymadebuttoowellknown。Herformerposition，whenDianedePoitiershadruledHenriII。，wasmoretolerablethanthis；thenatleastshereceivedtheexternalhonorsthatwereduetoaqueen，andthehomageofthecourt。Butnowthedukeandthecardinal，whohadnonebuttheirownminionsaboutthem，seemedtotakepleasureinabasingher。Catherine，hemmedinonallsidesbytheircourtiers，received，notonlydaybydaybutfromhourtohour，terribleblowstoherprideandherself-love；fortheGuisesweredeterminedtotreatheronthesamesystemofrepressionwhichthelateking，herhusband，hadsolongpursued。
Thethirty-sixyearsofanguishwhichwerenowabouttodesolateFrancemay，perhaps，besaidtohavebegunbythesceneinwhichthesonofthefurrierofthetwoqueenswassentontheperilouserrandwhichmakeshimthechieffigureofourpresentStudy。ThedangerintowhichthiszealousReformerwasabouttofallbecameimminenttheverymorningonwhichhestartedfromtheportofBeaugencyforthechateaudeBlois，bearingpreciousdocumentswhichcompromisedthehighestheadsofthenobility，placedinhishandsbythatwilypartisan，theindefatigableLaRenaudie，whomethim，asagreedupon，atBeaugency，havingreachedthatportbeforehim。
Whilethetow-boat，inwhichChristophenowembarkedfloated，impelledbyalighteastwind，downtheriverLoirethefamousCardinaldeLorraine，andhisbrotherthesecondDucdeGuise，oneofthegreatestwarriorsofthosedays，werecontemplating，likeeaglesperchedonarockysummit，theirpresentsituation，andlookingprudentlyaboutthembeforestrikingthegreatblowbywhichtheyintendedtokilltheReforminFranceatAmboise，——anattemptrenewedtwelveyearslaterinParis，August24，1572，onthefeastofSaint-Bartholomew。
Duringthenightthree/seigneurs/，whoeachplayedagreatpartinthetwelveyears’dramawhichfollowedthisdoubleplotnowlaidbytheGuisesandalsobytheReformers，hadarrivedatBloisfromdifferentdirections，eachridingatfullspeed，andleavingtheirhorseshalf-deadatthepostern-gateofthechateau，whichwasguardedbycaptainsandsoldiersabsolutelydevotedtotheDucdeGuise，theidolofallwarriors。
Onewordaboutthatgreatman，——awordthatmusttell，inthefirstinstance，whencehisfortunestooktheirrise。
HismotherwasAntoinettedeBourbon，great-auntofHenriIV。Ofwhatavailisconsanguinity？Hewas，atthismoment，aimingattheheadofhiscousinthePrincedeConde。HisniecewasMaryStuart。HiswifewasAnne，daughteroftheDukeofFerrara。TheGrandConnetabledeMontmorencycalledtheDucdeGuise”Monseigneur”ashewouldtheking，——endinghisletterwith”Yourveryhumbleservant。”Guise，GrandMasteroftheking’shousehold，replied”Monsieurleconnetable，”andsigned，ashedidfortheParliament，”Yourverygoodfriend。”
Asforthecardinal，calledthetransalpinepope，andhisHoliness，byEstienne，hehadthewholemonasticChurchofFranceonhisside，andtreatedtheHolyFatherasanequal。Vainofhiseloquence，andoneofthegreatesttheologiansofhistime，hekeptincessantwatchoverFranceandItalybymeansofthreereligiousorderswhowereabsolutelydevotedtohim，toilingdayandnightinhisserviceandservinghimasspiesandcounsellors。
Thesefewwordswillexplaintowhatheightsofpowerthedukeandthecardinalhadattained。Inspiteoftheirwealthandtheenormousrevenuesoftheirseveraloffices，theyweresopersonallydisinterested，soeagerlycarriedawayonthecurrentoftheirstatesmanship，andsogenerousatheart，thattheywerealwaysindebt，doubtlessafterthemannerofCaesar。WhenHenriIII。causedthedeathofthesecondBalafre，whoselifewasamenacetohim，thehouseofGuisewasnecessarilyruined。ThecostsofendeavoringtoseizethecrownduringawholecenturywillexplaintheloweredpositionofthisgreathouseduringthereignsofLouisXIII。andLouisXIV。，whenthesuddendeathofMADAMEtoldallEuropetheinfamouspartwhichaChevalierdeLorrainehaddebasedhimselftoplay。
CallingthemselvestheheirsofthedispossessedCarolovingians，thedukeandcardinalactedwiththeutmostinsolencetowardsCatherinede’Medici，themother-in-lawoftheirniece。TheDuchessedeGuisesparedhernomortification。Thisduchessewasad’Este，andCatherinewasaMedici，thedaughterofupstartFlorentinemerchants，whomthesovereignsofEuropehadneveryetadmittedintotheirroyalfraternity。FrancoisI。himselfhasalwaysconsideredhisson’smarriagewithaMediciasamesalliance，andonlyconsentedtoitundertheexpectationthathissecondsonwouldneverbedauphin。
HencehisfurywhenhiseldestsonwaspoisonedbytheFlorentineMontecuculi。Thed’EstesrefusedtorecognizetheMediciasItalianprinces。Thoseformermerchantswereinfacttryingtosolvetheimpossibleproblemofmaintainingathroneinthemidstofrepublicaninstitutions。Thetitleofgrand-dukewasonlygrantedverytardilybyPhiliptheSecond，kingofSpain，torewardthoseMediciwhoboughtitbybetrayingFrancetheirbenefactress，andservilelyattachingthemselvestothecourtofSpain，whichwasattheverytimecovertlycounteractingtheminItaly。”Flatternonebutyourenemies，”thefamoussayingofCatherinede’
Medici，seemstohavebeenthepoliticalruleoflifewiththatfamilyofmerchantprinces，inwhichgreatmenwereneverlackinguntiltheirdestiniesbecamegreat，whentheyfell，beforetheirtime，intothatdegeneracyinwhichroyalracesandnoblefamiliesarewonttoend。
ForthreegenerationstherehadbeenagreatLorrainwarriorandagreatLorrainchurchman；and，whatismoresingular，thechurchmenallboreastrongresemblanceinthefacetoXimenes，asdidCardinalRichelieuinafterdays。Thesefivegreatcardinalsallhadsly，mean，andyetterriblefaces；whilethewarriors，ontheotherhand，wereofthattypeofBasquemountaineerwhichweseeinHenriIV。ThetwoBalafres，fatherandson，woundedandscarredinthesamemanner，lostsomethingofthistype，butnotthegraceandaffabilitybywhich，asmuchasbytheirbravery，theywontheheartsofthesoldiery。
ItisnotuselesstorelatehowthepresentGrandMasterreceivedhiswound；foritwashealedbytheheroicmeasuresofapersonageofourdrama，——byAmbroisePare，themanwehavealreadymentionedasunderobligationstoLecamus，syndicoftheguildoffurriers。AtthesiegeofCalaisthedukehadhisfacepiercedthroughandthroughbyalance，thepointofwhich，afterenteringthecheekjustbelowtherighteye，wentthroughtotheneck，belowthelefteye，andremained，brokenoff，intheface。Thedukelaydyinginhistentinthemidstofuniversaldistress，andhewouldhavediedhaditnotbeenforthedevotionandpromptcourageofAmbroisePare。”Thedukeisnotdead，gentlemen，”hesaidtotheweepingattendants，”buthesoonwilldieifIdarenottreathimasIwouldadeadman；andIshallriskdoingso，nomatterwhatitmaycostmeintheend。See！”Andwiththatheputhisleftfootontheduke’sbreast，tookthebrokenwoodenendofthelanceinhisfingers，shookandlooseneditbydegreesinthewound，andfinallysucceededindrawingouttheironhead，asifhewerehandlingathingandnotaman。Thoughhesavedtheprincebythisheroictreatment，hecouldnotpreventthehorriblescarwhichgavethegreatsoldierhisnickname，——LeBalafre，theScarred。Thisnamedescendedtotheson，andforasimilarreason。
AbsolutelymastersofFrancoisII。，whomhiswiferuledthroughtheirmutualandexcessivepassion，thesetwogreatLorrainprinces，thedukeandthecardinal，weremastersofFrance，andhadnootherenemyatcourtthanCatherinede’Medici。Nogreatstatesmeneverplayedacloserormorewatchfulgame。
ThemutualpositionoftheambitiouswidowofHenriII。andtheambitioushouseofLorrainewaspictured，asitwere，totheeyebyascenewhichtookplaceontheterraceofthechateaudeBloisveryearlyinthemorningofthedayonwhichChristopheLecamuswasdestinedtoarrivethere。Thequeen-mother，whofeignedanextremeattachmenttotheGuises，hadaskedtobeinformedofthenewsbroughtbythethree/seigneurs/comingfromthreedifferentpartsofthekingdom；butshehadthemortificationofbeingcourteouslydismissedbythecardinal。ShethenwalkedtotheparterreswhichoverhungtheLoire，whereshewasbuilding，underthesuperintendenceofherastrologer，Ruggieri，anobservatory，whichisstillstanding，andfromwhichtheeyemayrangeoverthewholelandscapeofthatdelightfulvalley。ThetwoLorrainprinceswereattheotherendoftheterrace，facingtheVendomois，whichoverlookstheupperpartofthetown，theperchoftheBretons，andtheposterngateofthechateau。
Catherinehaddeceivedthetwobrothersbypretendingtoaslightdispleasure；forshewasinrealityverywellpleasedtohaveanopportunitytospeaktooneofthethreeyoungmenwhohadarrivedinsuchhaste。ThiswasayoungnoblemannamedChiverni，apparentlyatoolofthecardinal，inrealityadevotedservantofCatherine。
CatherinealsocountedamongherdevotedservantstwoFlorentinenobles，theGondi；buttheyweresosuspectedbytheGuisesthatshedarednotsendthemonanyerrandawayfromthecourt，whereshekeptthem，watched，itistrue，inalltheirwordsandactions，butwhereatleasttheywereabletowatchandstudytheGuisesandcounselCatherine。ThesetwoFlorentinesmaintainedintheinterestsofthequeen-motheranotherItalian，Birago，——acleverPiedmontese，whopretended，withChiverni，tohaveabandonedtheirmistress，andgoneovertotheGuises，whoencouragedtheirenterprisesandemployedthemtowatchCatherine。
ChivernihadcomefromParisandEcouen。ThelasttoarrivewasSaint-
Andre，whowasmarshalofFranceandbecamesoimportantthattheGuises，whosecreaturehewas，madehimthethirdpersoninthetriumviratetheyformedthefollowingyearagainstCatherine。Theother/seigneur/whohadarrivedduringthenightwasVieilleville，alsoacreatureoftheGuisesandamarshalofFrance，whowasreturningfromasecretmissionknownonlytotheGrandMaster，whohadentrustedittohim。AsforSaint-Andre，hewasinchargeofmilitarymeasurestakenwiththeobjectofdrivingallReformersunderarmsintoAmboise；aschemewhichnowformedthesubjectofacouncilheldbythedukeandcardinal，Birago，Chiverni，Vieilleville，andSaint-Andre。AsthetwoLorrainsemployedBirago，itistobesupposedthattheyreliedupontheirownpowers；fortheyknewofhisattachmenttothequeen-mother。Atthissingularepochthedoublepartplayedbymanyofthepoliticalmenofthedaywaswellknowntobothparties；theywerelikecardsinthehandsofgamblers，——thecleverestplayerwonthegame。Duringthiscouncilthetwobrothersmaintainedthemostimpenetrablereserve。AconversationwhichnowtookplacebetweenCatherineandcertainofherfriendswillexplaintheobjectofthiscouncil，heldbytheGuisesintheopenair，inthehanginggardens，atbreakofday，asiftheyfearedtospeakwithinthewallsofthechateaudeBlois。
Thequeen-mother，underpretenceofexaminingtheobservatorytheninprocessofconstruction，walkedinthatdirectionaccompaniedbythetwoGondis，glancingwithasuspiciousandinquisitiveeyeatthegroupofenemieswhowerestillstandingatthefartherendoftheterrace，andfromwhomChiverninowdetachedhimselftojointhequeen-mother。ShewasthenatthecorneroftheterracewhichlooksdownupontheChurchofSaint-Nicholas；there，atleast，therecouldbenodangeroftheslightestoverhearing。Thewalloftheterraceisonalevelwiththetowersofthechurch，andtheGuisesinvariablyheldtheircouncilatthefarthercornerofthesameterraceatthebaseofthegreatunfinishedkeepordungeon，——goingandreturningbetweenthePerchoirdesBretonsandthegallerybythebridgewhichjoinedthemtothegardens。Noonewaswithinsight。Chiverniraisedthehandofthequeen-mothertokissit，andashedidsoheslippedalittlenotefromhishandtohers，withoutbeingobservedbythetwoItalians。Catherineturnedtotheangleoftheparapetandreadasfollows:——
Youarepowerfulenoughtoholdthebalancebetweentheleadersandtoforcethemintoastruggleastowhoshallserveyou；yourhouseisfullofkings，andyouhavenothingtofearfromtheLorrainsortheBourbonsprovidedyoupitthemoneagainsttheother，forbotharestrivingtosnatchthecrownfromyourchildren。Bethemistressandnottheservantofyourcounsellors；
supportthem，inturn，oneagainsttheother，orthekingdomwillgofrombadtoworse，andmightywarsmaycomeofit。
L’Hopital。
Thequeenputtheletterinthehollowofhercorset，resolvingtoburnitassoonasshewasalone。”Whendidyouseehim？”sheaskedChiverni。”OnmywaybackfromvisitingtheConnetable，atMelun，whereImethimwiththeDuchessedeBerry，whomhewasmostimpatienttoconveytoSavoie，thathemightreturnhereandopentheeyesofthechancellorOlivier，whoisnowcompletelydupedbytheLorrains。AssoonasMonsieurl’HopitalsawthetrueobjectoftheGuiseshedeterminedtosupportyourinterests。Thatiswhyheissoanxioustogethereandgiveyouhisvoteatthecouncils。””Ishesincere？”askedCatherine。”YouknowverywellthatiftheLorrainshaveputhiminthecouncilitisthathemayhelpthemtoreign。””L’HopitalisaFrenchmanwhocomesoftoogoodastocknottobehonestandsincere，”saidChiverni；”Besides，hisnoteisasufficientlystrongpledge。””WhatanswerdidtheConnetablesendtotheGuises？””Herepliedthathewastheservantofthekingandwouldawaithisorders。Onreceivingthatanswerthecardinal，tosuppressallresistance，determinedtoproposetheappointmentofhisbrotheraslieutenant-generalofthekingdom。””Havetheygotasfarasthat？”exclaimedCatherine，alarmed。”Well，didMonsieurl’Hopitalsendmenoothermessage？””Hetoldmetosaytoyou，madame，thatyoualonecouldstandbetweentheCrownandtheGuises。””DoeshethinkthatIoughttousetheHuguenotsasaweapon？””Ah！madame，”criedChiverni，surprisedatsuchastuteness，”weneverdreamedofcastingyouintosuchdifficulties。””DoesheknowthepositionIamin？”askedthequeen，calmly。”Verynearly。HethinksyouweredupedafterthedeathofthekingintoacceptingthatcastleonMadameDiane’soverthrow。TheGuisesconsiderthemselvesreleasedtowardthequeenbyhavingsatisfiedthewoman。””Yes，”saidthequeen，lookingatthetwoGondi，”Imadeablunder。””Ablunderofthegods，”repliedCharlesdeGondi。”Gentlemen，”saidCatherine，”ifIgooveropenlytotheReformersI
shallbecometheslaveofaparty。””Madame，”saidChiverni，eagerly，”Iapproveentirelyofyourmeaning。
Youmustusethem，butnotservethem。””Thoughyoursupportdoes，undoubtedly，forthetimebeingliethere，”
saidCharlesdeGondi，”wemustnotconcealfromourselvesthatsuccessanddefeatarebothequallyperilous。””Iknowit，”saidthequeen；”asinglefalsestepwouldbeapretextonwhichtheGuiseswouldseizeatoncetogetridofme。””ThenieceofaPope，themotheroffourValois，aqueenofFrance，thewidowofthemostardentpersecutoroftheHuguenots，anItalianCatholic，theauntofLeoX。，——can/she/allyherselfwiththeReformation？”askedCharlesdeGondi。”But，”saidhisbrotherAlbert，”ifshesecondstheGuisesdoesshenotplayintothehandsofausurpation？WehavetodowithmenwhoseeacrowntoseizeinthecomingstrugglebetweenCatholicismandReform。ItispossibletosupporttheReformerswithoutabjuring。””Reflect，madame，thatyourfamily，whichoughttohavebeenwhollydevotedtothekingofFrance，isatthismomenttheservantofthekingofSpain；andto-morrowitwillbethatoftheReformationiftheReformationcouldmakeakingoftheDukeofFlorence。””Iamcertainlydisposedtolendahand，foratime，totheHuguenots，”saidCatherine，”ifonlytorevengemyselfonthatsoldierandthatpriestandthatwoman！”Asshespoke，shecalledattentionwithhersubtileItalianglancetothedukeandcardinal，andthentothesecondfloorofthechateauonwhichweretheapartmentsofhersonandMaryStuart。”ThattriohastakenfrommyhandsthereinsofState，forwhichIwaitedlongwhiletheoldwomanfilledmyplace，”
shesaidgloomily，glancingtowardChenonceaux，thechateaushehadlatelyexchangedwithDianedePoitiersagainstthatofChaumont。”/Ma/，”sheaddedinItalian，”itseemsthatthesereforminggentryinGenevahavenotthewittoaddressthemselvestome；and，onmyconscience，Icannotgotothem。Notoneofyouwoulddaretoriskcarryingthemamessage！”Shestampedherfoot。”IdidhopeyouwouldhavemetthecrippleatEcouen——/he/hassense，”shesaidtoChiverni。”ThePrincedeCondewasthere，madame，”saidChiverni，”buthecouldnotpersuadetheConnetabletojoinhim。MonsieurdeMontmorencywantstooverthrowtheGuises，whohavesenthimintoexile，buthewillnotencourageheresy。””Whatwilleverbreaktheseindividualwillswhichareforeverthwartingroyalty？God’struth！”exclaimedthequeen，”thegreatnoblesmustbemadetodestroyeachother，asLouisXI。，thegreatestofyourkings，didwiththoseofhistime。Therearefourorfivepartiesnowinthiskingdom，andtheweakestofthemisthatofmychildren。””TheReformationisan/idea/，”saidCharlesdeGondi；”thepartiesthatLouisXI。crushedweremovedbyself-interestsonly。””Ideasarebehindselfishinterests，”repliedChiverni。”UnderLouisXI。theideawasthegreatFiefs——””Makeheresyanaxe，”saidAlbertdeGondi，”andyouwillescapetheodiumofexecutions。””Ah！”criedthequeen，”butIamignorantofthestrengthandalsooftheplansoftheReformers；andIhavenosafewayofcommunicatingwiththem。IfIweredetectedinanymanoeuvreofthatkind，eitherbythequeen，whowatchesmelikeaninfantinacradle，orbythosetwojailersoverthere，IshouldbebanishedfromFranceandsentbacktoFlorencewithaterribleescort，commandedbyGuiseminions。Thankyou，no，mydaughter-in-law！——butIwish/you/thefateofbeingaprisonerinyourownhome，thatyoumayknowwhatyouhavemademesuffer。””Theirplans！”exclaimedChiverni；”thedukeandthecardinalknowwhattheyare，butthosetwofoxeswillnotdivulgethem。Ifyoucouldinducethemtodoso，madame，IwouldsacrificemyselfforyoursakeandcometoanunderstandingwiththePrincedeConde。””HowmuchoftheGuises’ownplanshavetheybeenforcedtorevealtoyou？”askedthequeen，withaglanceatthetwobrothers。”MonsieurdeVieillevilleandMonsieurdeSaint-Andrehavejustreceivedfreshorders，thenatureofwhichisconcealedfromus；butI
thinkthedukeisintendingtoconcentratehisbesttroopsontheleftbank。WithinafewdaysyouwillallbemovedtoAmboise。ThedukehasbeenstudyingthepositionfromthisterraceanddecidesthatBloisisnotapropitiousspotforhissecretschemes。Whatcanhewantbetter？”addedChiverni，pointingtotheprecipiceswhichsurroundedthechateau。”Thereisnoplaceintheworldwherethecourtismoresecurefromattackthanitishere。””Abdicateorreign，”saidAlbertinalowvoicetothequeen，whostoodmotionlessandthoughtful。
AterribleexpressionofinwardragepassedoverthefineivoryfaceofCatherinede’Medici，whowasnotyetfortyyearsold，thoughshehadlivedfortwenty-sixyearsatthecourtofFrance，——withoutpower，she，whofromthemomentofherarrivalintendedtoplayaleadingpart！Then，inhernativelanguage，thelanguageofDante，theseterriblewordscameslowlyfromherlips:——”Nothingsolongasthatsonlives！——Hislittlewifebewitcheshim，”
sheaddedafterapause。
Catherine’sexclamationwasinspiredbyaprophecywhichhadbeenmadetoherafewdaysearlieratthechateaudeChaumontontheoppositebankoftheriver；whereshehadbeentakenbyRuggieri，herastrologer，toobtaininformationastothelivesofherfourchildrenfromacelebratedfemaleseer，secretlybroughttherebyNostradamus(chiefamongthephysiciansofthatgreatsixteenthcentury)whopractised，liketheRuggieri，theCardans，Paracelsus，andothers，theoccultsciences。Thiswoman，whosenameandlifehaveeludedhistory，foretoldoneyearasthelengthofFrancois’sreign。”Givemeyouropiniononallthis，”saidCatherinetoChiverni。”Weshallhaveabattle，”repliedtheprudentcourtier。”ThekingofNavarre——””Oh！saythequeen，”interruptedCatherine。”True，thequeen，”saidChiverni，smiling，”thequeenhasgiventhePrincedeCondeasleadertotheReformers，andhe，inhispositionofyoungerson，canventureall；consequentlythecardinaltalksoforderinghimhere。””Ifhecomes，”criedthequeen，”Iamsaved！”
ThustheleadersofthegreatmovementoftheReformationinFrancewerejustifiedinhopingforanallyinCatherinede’Medici。”Thereisonethingtobeconsidered，”saidthequeen。”TheBourbonsmayfooltheHuguenotsandtheSieursCalvinanddeBezemayfooltheBourbons，butarewestrongenoughtofoolHuguenots，Bourbons，andGuises？Inpresenceofthreesuchenemiesitisallowabletofeelone’spulse。””Buttheyhavenottheking，”saidAlbertdeGondi。”Youwillalwaystriumph，havingthekingonyourside。””/MaladettaMaria/！”mutteredCatherinebetweenherteeth。”TheLorrainsare，evennow，endeavoringtoturntheburghersagainstyou，”remarkedBirago。
V
THECOURT
ThehopeofgainingthecrownwasnottheresultofapremeditatedplaninthemindsoftherestlessGuises。Nothingwarrantedsuchahopeorsuchaplan。Circumstancesaloneinspiredtheiraudacity。ThetwocardinalsandthetwoBalafreswerefourambitiousminds，superiorintalentstoalltheotherpoliticianswhosurroundedthem。ThisfamilywasneverreallybroughtlowexceptbyHenriIV。；afactionisthimself，trainedinthegreatschoolofwhichCatherineandtheGuisesweremasters，——bywhoselessonshehadprofitedbuttoowell。
Atthismomentthetwobrothers，thedukeandcardinal，werethearbitersofthegreatestrevolutionattemptedinEuropesincethatofHenryVIII。inEngland，whichwasthedirectconsequenceoftheinventionofprinting。AdversariestotheReformation，theymeanttostifleit，powerbeingintheirhands。Buttheiropponent，Calvin，thoughlessfamousthanLuther，wasfarthestrongerofthetwo。
CalvinsawgovernmentwhereLuthersawdogmaonly。Whilethestoutbeer-drinkerandamorousGermanfoughtwiththedevilandflunganinkbottleathishead，themanfromPicardy，asicklycelibate，madeplansofcampaign，directedbattles，armedprinces，androusedwholepeoplesbysowingrepublicandoctrinesintheheartsoftheburghers——
recoupinghiscontinualdefeatsinthefieldbyfreshprogressinthemindofthenations。
TheCardinaldeLorraineandtheDucdeGuise，likePhiliptheSecondandtheDukeofAlba，knewwhereandwhenthemonarchywasthreatened，andhowclosetheallianceoughttobebetweenCatholicismandRoyalty。CharlestheFifth，drunkwiththewineofCharlemagne’scup，believingtooblindlyinthestrengthofhismonarchy，andconfidentofsharingtheworldwithSuleiman，didnotatfirstfeeltheblowathishead；butnosoonerhadCardinalGranvellemadehimawareoftheextentofthewoundthanheabdicated。TheGuiseshadbutonescheme，——thatofannihilatingheresyatasingleblow。Thisblowtheywerenowtoattempt，forthefirsttime，tostrikeatAmboise；failingtheretheytrieditagain，twelveyearslater，attheSaint-
Bartholomew，——onthelatteroccasioninconjunctionwithCatherinede’
Medici，enlightenedbythattimebytheflamesofatwelveyears’war，enlightenedaboveallbythesignificantword”republic，”utteredlaterandprintedbythewritersoftheReformation，butalreadyforeseen(aswehavesaidbefore)byLecamus，thattypeoftheParisianbourgeoisie。
ThetwoGuises，nowonthepointofstrikingamurderousblowattheheartoftheFrenchnobility，inordertoseparateitonceforallfromareligiouspartywhosetriumphwouldbeitsruin，stillstoodtogetherontheterrace，concertingastothebestmeansofrevealingtheircoup-d’Etattotheking，whileCatherinewastalkingwithhercounsellors。”Jeanned’AlbretknewwhatshewasaboutwhenshedeclaredherselfprotectressoftheHuguenots！Shehasabattering-ramintheReformation，andsheknowshowtouseit，”saidtheduke，whofathomedthedeepdesignsoftheQueenofNavarre，oneofthegreatmindsofthecentury。”TheodoredeBezeisnowatNerac，”remarkedthecardinal，”afterfirstgoingtoGenevatotakeCalvin’sorders。””Whatmentheseburghersknowhowtofind！”exclaimedtheduke。”Ah！wehavenoneonoursideofthequalityofLaRenaudie！”criedthecardinal。”HeisatrueCatiline。””Suchmenalwaysactfortheirowninterests，”repliedtheduke。”Didn’tIfathomLaRenaudie？Iloadedhimwithfavors；IhelpedhimtoescapewhenhewascondemnedbytheparliamentofBourgogne；I
broughthimbackfromexilebyobtainingarevisionofhissentence；I
intendedtodofarmoreforhim；andallthewhilehewasplottingadiabolicalconspiracyagainstus！ThatrascalhasunitedtheProtestantsofGermanywiththehereticsofFrancebyreconcilingthedifferencesthatgrewupbetweenthedogmasofLutherandthoseofCalvin。HehasbroughtthediscontentedgreatseigneursintothepartyoftheReformationwithoutobligingthemtoabjureCatholicismopenly。
Forthelastyearhehashadthirtycaptainsunderhim！Heiseverywhereatonce，——atLyon，inLanguedoc，atNantes！ItwashewhodrewupthoseminutesofaconsultationwhichwerehawkedaboutallGermany，inwhichthetheologiansdeclaredthatforcemightberesortedtoinordertowithdrawthekingfromourruleandtutelage；
thepaperisnowbeingcirculatedfromtowntotown。Whereverwelookforhimweneverfindhim！AndyetIhaveneverdonehimanythingbutgood！Itcomestothis，thatwemustnoweitherthrashhimlikeadog，ortrytothrowhimagoldenbridgebywhichhewillcrossintoourcamp。””Bretagne，Languedoc，infactthewholekingdomisinleaguetodealusamortalblow，”saidthecardinal。”AfterthefetewasoveryesterdayIspenttherestofthenightinreadingthereportssentmebythemonks；inwhichIfoundthattheonlypersonswhohavecompromisedthemselvesarepoorgentlemen，artisans，astowhomitdoesn’tsignifywhetheryouhangthemorletthemlive。TheColignysandCondesdonotshowtheirhandasyet，thoughtheyholdthethreadsofthewholeconspiracy。””Yes，”repliedtheduke，”and，therefore，assoonasthatlawyerAvenellessoldthesecretoftheplot，ItoldBraguelonnetolettheconspiratorscarryitout。Theyhavenosuspicionthatweknowit；
theyaresosureofsurprisingusthattheleadersmaypossiblyshowthemselvesthen。Myadviceistoallowourselvestobebeatenforforty-eighthours。””Halfanhourwouldbetoomuch，”criedthecardinal，alarmed。”Sothisisyourcourage，isit？”retortedtheBalafre。
