PARTII
THESECRETSOFTHERUGGIERI
I
THECOURTUNDERCHARLESIX。
Betweeneleveno’clockandmidnighttowardtheendofOctober，1573，twoItalians，Florentinesandbrothers，AlbertdeGondi，DucdeRetzandmarshalofFrance，andCharlesdeGondilaTour，Grand-masteroftherobesofCharlesIX。，weresittingontheroofofahouseintherueSaint-Honore，attheedgeofagutter。Thisgutterwasoneofthosestonechannelswhichinformerdayswereconstructedbelowtheroofsofhousestoreceivetherain-water，dischargingitatregularintervalsthroughthoselonggargoylescarvedintheshapeoffantasticanimalswithgapingmouths。Inspiteofthezealwithwhichourpresentgeneralpullsdownanddemolishesvenerablebuildings，therestillexistedmanyoftheseprojectingguttersuntil，quiterecently，anordinanceofthepoliceastowater-conduitscompelledthemtodisappear。Butevenso，afewofthesecarvedgargoylesstillremain，chieflyinthe/quartier/Saint-Antoine，wherelowrentsandvalueshinderthebuildingofnewstoreysundertheeavesoftheroofs。
Itcertainlyseemsstrangethattwopersonagesinvestedwithsuchimportantofficesshouldbeplayingthepartofcats。Butwhosoeverwillburrowintothehistorictreasuresofthosedays，whenpersonalinterestsjostledandthwartedeachotheraroundthethronetillthewholepoliticalcentreofFrancewaslikeaskeinoftangledthread，willreadilyunderstandthatthetwoFlorentineswerecatsindeed，andverymuchintheirplacesinagutter。Theirdevotiontothepersonofthequeen-mother，Catherinede’Medici——whohadbroughtthemtothecourtofFranceandfoistedthemintotheirhighoffices——compelledthemnottorecoilbeforeanyoftheconsequencesoftheirintrusion。
Buttoexplainhowandwhythesecourtierswerethusperched，itisnecessarytorelateascenewhichhadtakenplaceanhourearliernotfarfromthisverygutter，inthatbeautifulbrownroomoftheLouvre，allthatnowremainstousoftheapartmentsofHenriII。，inwhichaftersupperthecourtiershadbeenpayingcourttothetwoqueens，Catherinede’MediciandElizabethofAustria，andtotheirsonandhusbandKingCharlesIX。
Inthosedaysthemajorityoftheburghersandgreatlordssuppedatsix，oratseveno’clock，butthemorerefinedandelegantsuppedateightorevennine。Thisrepastwasthedinnerofto-day。ManypersonserroneouslybelievethatetiquettewasinventedbyLouisXIV。；onthecontraryitwasintroducedintoFrancebyCatherinede’Medici，whomadeitsoseverethattheConnetabledeMontmorencyhadmoredifficultyinobtainingpermissiontoenterthecourtoftheLouvreonhorsebackthaninwinninghissword；moreover，thatunheard-ofdistinctionwasgrantedtohimonlyonaccountofhisgreatage。
Etiquette，whichwas，itistrue，slightlyrelaxedunderthefirsttwoBourbonkings，tookanOrientalformundertheGreatMonarch，foritwasintroducedfromtheEasternEmpire，whichderiveditfromPersia。
In1573fewpersonshadtherighttoenterthecourtyardoftheLouvrewiththeirservantsandtorches(underLouisXIV。thecoachesofnonebutdukesandpeerswereallowedtopassundertheperistyle)；
moreover，thecostofobtainingentranceaftersuppertotheroyalapartmentswasveryheavy。TheMarechaldeRetz，whomwehavejustseen，perchedonagutter，offeredononeoccasionathousandcrownsofthatday，sixthousandfrancsofourpresentmoney，totheusheroftheking’scabinettobeallowedtospeaktoHenriIII。onadaywhenhewasnotonduty。Toanhistorianwhoknowsthetruth，itislaughabletoseethewell-knownpictureofthecourtyardatBlois，inwhichtheartisthasintroducedacourtieronhorseback！
Onthepresentoccasion，therefore，nonebutthemosteminentpersonagesinthekingdomwereintheroyalapartments。Thequeen，ElizabethofAustria，andhermother-in-law，Catherinede’Medici，wereseatedtogetherontheleftofthefireplace。Ontheothersidesattheking，buriedinanarmchair，affectingalethargyconsequentondigestion，——forhehadjustsuppedlikeaprincereturnedfromhunting；possiblyhewasseekingtoavoidconversationinpresenceofsomanypersonswhowerespiesuponhisthoughts。Thecourtiersstooderectanduncoveredattheendoftheroom。Sometalkedinalowvoice；otherswatchedtheking，awaitingthebestowalofalookoraword。Occasionallyonewascalledupbythequeen-mother，whotalkedwithhimforafewmoments；anotherriskedsayingawordtotheking，whorepliedwitheitheranodorabriefsentence。AGermannobleman，theComtedeSolern，stoodatthecornerofthefireplacebehindtheyoungqueen，thegranddaughterofCharlesV。，whomhehadaccompaniedintoFrance。Neartoheronastoolsatherladyofhonor，theComtessedeFiesque，aStrozzi，andarelationofCatherinede’
Medici。ThebeautifulMadamedeSauves，adescendantofJacquesCoeur，mistressofthekingofNavarre，thenofthekingofPoland，andlastlyoftheDucd’Alencon，hadbeeninvitedtosupper；butshestoodliketherestofthecourt，herhusband’srank(thatofsecretaryofState)givinghernorighttobeseated。BehindthesetwoladiesstoodthetwoGondis，talkingtothem。Theyaloneofthisdismalassemblyweresmiling。AlbertGondi，nowDucdeRetz，marshalofFrance，andgentlemanofthebed-chamber，hadbeendeputedtomarrythequeenbyproxyatSpire。InthefirstlineofcourtiersnearesttothekingstoodtheMarechaldeTavannes，whowaspresentoncourtbusiness；
NeufvilledeVilleroy，oneoftheablestbankersoftheperiod，wholaidthefoundationofthegreathouseofthatname；BiragoandChiverni，gentlemenofthequeen-mother，who，knowingherpreferenceforhersonHenri(thebrotherwhomCharlesIX。regardedasanenemy)，attachedthemselvesespeciallytohim；thenStrozzi，Catherine’scousin；andfinally，anumberofgreatlords，amongthemtheoldCardinaldeLorraineandhisnephew，theyoungDucdeGuise，whowereheldatadistancebythekingandhismother。ThesetwoleadersoftheHolyAlliance，andlateroftheLeague(foundedinconjunctionwithSpainafewyearsearlier)，affectedthesubmissionofservantswhoareonlywaitinganopportunitytomakethemselvesmasters。
CatherineandCharlesIX。watchedeachotherwithcloseattention。
Atthisgloomycourt，asgloomyastheroominwhichitwasheld，eachindividualhadhisorherownreasonsforbeingsadorthoughtful。Theyoungqueen，Elizabeth，wasapreytothetorturesofjealousy，andcouldill-disguisethem，thoughshesmileduponherhusband，whomshepassionatelyadored，goodandpiouswomanthatshewas！MarieTouchet，theonlymistressCharlesIX。everhadandtowhomhewasloyallyfaithful，hadlatelyreturnedfromthechateaudeFayetinDauphine，whithershehadgonetogivebirthtoachild。ShebroughtbacktoCharlesIX。ason，hisonlyson，CharlesdeValois，firstComted’Auvergne，andafterwardDucd’Angouleme。Thepoorqueen，inadditiontothemortificationofherabandonment，nowenduredthepangofknowingthatherrivalhadborneasontoherhusbandwhileshehadbroughthimonlyadaughter。Andthesewerenotheronlytroublesanddisillusions，forCatherinede’Medici，whohadseemedherfriendinthefirstinstance，now，outofpolicy，favoredherbetrayal，preferringtoservethemistressratherthanthewifeoftheking，——
forthefollowingreason。
WhenCharlesIX。openlyavowedhispassionforMarieTouchet，Catherineshowedfavortothegirlintheinterestsofherowndesirefordomination。MarieTouchet，whowasveryyoungwhenbroughttocourt，cameatanagewhenallthenoblestsentimentsarepredominant。
Shelovedthekingforhimselfalone。FrightenedatthefatetowhichambitionhadledtheDuchessedeValentinois(betterknownasDianedePoitiers)，shedreadedthequeen-mother，andgreatlypreferredhersimplehappinesstograndeur。Perhapsshethoughtthatloversasyoungasthekingandherselfcouldneverstrugglesuccessfullyagainstthequeen-mother。AsthedaughterofJeanTouchet，SieurdeBeauvaisandQuillard，shewasbornbetweentheburgherclassandthelowernobility；shehadnoneoftheinbornambitionsofthePisseleusandSaint-Valliers，girlsofrank，whobattledfortheirfamilieswiththehiddenweaponsoflove。MarieTouchet，withoutfamilyorfriends，sparedCatherinede’Mediciallantagonismwithherson’smistress；
thedaughterofagreathousewouldhavebeenherrival。JeanTouchet，thefather，oneofthefinestwitsofthetime，amantowhompoetsdedicatedtheirworks，wantednothingatcourt。Marie，ayounggirlwithoutconnections，intelligentandwell-educated，andalsosimpleandartless，whosedesireswouldprobablyneverbeaggressivetotheroyalpower，suitedthequeen-motheradmirably。Inshort，shemadetheparliamentrecognizethesontowhomMarieTouchethadjustgivenbirthinthemonthofApril，andsheallowedhimtotakethetitleofComted’Auvergne，assuringCharlesIX。thatshewouldleavetheboyherpersonalproperty，thecountiesofAuvergneandLaraguais。Atalaterperiod，MargueritedeValois，queenofNavarre，contestedthislegacyaftershewasqueenofFrance，andtheparliamentannulledit。
Butlaterstill，LouisXIII。，outofrespectfortheValoisblood，indemnifiedtheComted’AuvergnebythegiftoftheduchyofAngouleme。
CatherinehadalreadygivenMarieTouchet，whoaskednothing，themanorofBelleville，anestateclosetoVincenneswhichcarriednotitle；andthithershewentwheneverthekinghuntedandspentthenightatthecastle。ItwasinthisgloomyfortressthatCharlesIX。
passedthegreaterpartofhislastyears，endinghislifethere，accordingtosomehistorians，asLouisXII。hadendedhis。
Thequeen-motherkeptclosewatchuponherson。Alltheoccupationsofhispersonallife，outsideofpolitics，werereportedtoher。Thekinghadbeguntolookuponhismotherasanenemy，butthekindintentionssheexpressedtowardhissondivertedhissuspicionsforatime。
Catherine’smotivesinthismatterwereneverunderstoodbyQueenElizabeth，who，accordingtoBrantome，wasoneofthegentlestqueensthateverreigned，whoneverdidharmorevengavepaintoanyone，”andwascarefultoreadherprayer-booksecretly。”Butthissingle-
mindedprincessbeganatlasttoseetheprecipicesyawningaroundthethrone，——adreadfuldiscovery，whichmightindeedhavemadeherquail；
itwassomesuchremembrance，nodoubt，thatledhertosaytooneofherladies，afterthedeathoftheking，inreplytoacondolencethatshehadnoson，andcouldnot，therefore，beregentandqueen-mother:”Ah！IthankGodthatIhavenoson。Iknowwellwhatwouldhavehappened。Mypoorsonwouldhavebeendespoiledandwrongedliketheking，myhusband，andIshouldhavebeenthecauseofit。GodhadmercyontheState；hehasdoneallforthebest。”
Thisprincess，whoseportraitBrantomethinkshedrawsbysayingthathercomplexionwasasbeautifulanddelicateastheladiesofhersuitewerecharmingandagreeable，andthatherfigurewasfinethoughrathershort，wasoflittleaccountatherowncourt。Sufferingfromadoublegrief，hersaddenedattitudeaddedanothergloomytonetoascenewhichmostyoungqueens，lesscruellyinjured，mighthaveenlivened。ThepiousElizabethprovedatthiscrisisthatthequalitieswhicharetheshininggloryofwomenintheordinarywaysoflifecanbefataltoasovereign。Aprincessabletooccupyherselfwithotherthingsbesidesherprayer-bookmighthavebeenausefulhelpertoCharlesIX。，whofoundnoproptoleanon，eitherinhiswifeorinhismistress。
Thequeen-mother，asshesatthereinthatbrownroom，wascloselyobservingtheking，who，duringsupper，hadexhibitedaboisterousgood-humorwhichshefelttobeassumedinordertomasksomeintentionagainsther。Thissuddengaietycontrastedtoovividlywiththestruggleofmindheendeavoredtoconcealbyhiseagernessinhunting，andbyanalmostmaniacaltoilathisforge，wherehespentmanyhoursinhammeringiron；andCatherinewasnotdeceivedbyit。
Withoutbeingableeventoguesswhichofthestatesmenaboutthekingwasemployedtoprepareornegotiateit(forCharlesIX。contrivedtomisleadhismother’sspies)，Catherinefeltnodoubtwhateverthatsomeschemeforheroverthrowwasbeingplanned。Theunlooked-forpresenceofTavannes，whoarrivedatthesametimeasStrozzi，whomsheherselfhadsummoned，gaveherfoodforthought。Stronginthestrengthofherpoliticalcombination，Catherinewasabovethereachofcircumstances；butshewaspowerlessagainstsomehiddenviolence。
AsmanypersonsareignorantoftheactualstateofpublicaffairsthensocomplicatedbythevariouspartiesthatdistractedFrance，theleadersofwhichhadeachtheirprivateintereststocarryout，itisnecessarytodescribe，inafewwords，theperilousgameinwhichthequeen-motherwasnowengaged。ToshowCatherinede’Mediciinanewlightis，infact，therootandstockofourpresenthistory。
Twowordsexplainthiswoman，socuriouslyinterestingtostudy，awomanwhoseinfluencehasleftsuchdeepimpressionsuponFrance。
Thosewordsare:PowerandAstrology。Exclusivelyambitious，Catherinede’Medicihadnootherpassionthanthatofpower。Superstitiousandfatalistic，likesomanysuperiormen，shehadnosincerebeliefexceptinoccultsciences。Unlessthisdoublemainspringisknown，theconductofCatherinede’Mediciwillremainforevermisunderstood。Aswepictureherfaithinjudicialastrology，thelightwillfallupontwopersonages，whoare，infact，thephilosophicalsubjectsofthisStudy。
TherelivedamanforwhomCatherinecaredmorethanforanyofherchildren；hisnamewasCosmoRuggiero。Helivedinahousebelongingtoher，thehoteldeSoissons；shemadehimhersupremeadviser。Itwashisdutytotellherwhetherthestarsratifiedtheadviceandjudgmentofherordinarycounsellors。CertainremarkableantecedentswarrantedthepowerwhichCosmoRuggieroretainedoverhismistresstoherlasthour。OneofthemostlearnedmenofthesixteenthcenturywasphysiciantoLorenzode’Medici，Ducd’Urbino，Catherine’sfather。
ThisphysicianwascalledRuggierotheElder(VecchioRuggierandRogerl’AncienintheFrenchauthorswhohavewrittenonalchemy)，todistinguishhimfromhistwosons，LorenzoRuggiero，calledtheGreatbycabalisticwriters，andCosmoRuggiero，Catherine’sastrologer，alsocalledRogerbyseveralFrenchhistorians。InFranceitwasthecustomtopronouncethenameingeneralasRuggieri。RuggierotheelderwassohighlyvaluedbytheMedicithatthetwodukes，CosmoandLorenzo，stoodgodfatherstohistwosons。Hecast，inconcertwiththefamousmathematician，Basilio，thehoroscopeofCatherine’snativity，inhisofficialcapacityasmathematicion，astrologer，andphysiciantothehouseofMedici；threeofficeswhichareoftenconfounded。
Attheperiodofwhichwewritetheoccultscienceswerestudiedwithanardorthatmaysurprisetheincredulousmindsofourownage，whichissupremelyanalytical。Perhapssuchmindsmayfindinthishistoricalsketchthedawn，orratherthegerm，ofthepositivescienceswhichhavefloweredinthenineteenthcentury，thoughwithoutthepoeticgrandeurgiventothembytheaudaciousSeekersofthesixteenth，who，insteadofusingthemsolelyformechanicalindustries，magnifiedArtandfertilizedThoughtbytheirmeans。Theprotectionuniversallygiventooccultsciencebythesovereignsofthosedayswasjustifiedbythenoblecreationsofmanyinventors，who，startinginquestoftheGreatWork(theso-calledphilosophers’
stone)，attainedtoastonishingresults。Atnoperiodwerethesovereignsoftheworldmoreeagerforthestudyofthesemysteries。
TheFuggersofAugsburg，inwhomallmodernLuculluseswillrecognizetheirprinces，andallbankerstheirmasters，weregiftedwithpowersofcalculationitwouldbedifficulttosurpass。Well，thosepracticalmen，wholoanedthefundsofallEuropetothesovereignsofthesixteenthcentury(asdeeplyindebtasthekingsofthepresentday)，thoseillustriousguestsofCharlesV。weresleepingpartnersinthecruciblesofParacelsus。Atthebeginningofthesixteenthcentury，RuggierotheelderwastheheadofthatsecretuniversityfromwhichissuedtheCardans，theNostradamuses，andtheAgrippas(allintheirturnphysiciansofthehouseofValois)；alsotheastronomers，astrologers，andalchemistswhosurroundedtheprincesofChristendomandweremoreespeciallywelcomedandprotectedinFrancebyCatherinede’Medici。InthenativitydrawnbyBasilioandRuggierotheelder，theprincipaleventsofCatherine’slifewereforetoldwithacorrectnesswhichisquitedishearteningforthosewhodenythepowerofoccultscience。ThishoroscopepredictedthemisfortuneswhichduringthesiegeofFlorenceimperilledthebeginningofherlife；
alsohermarriagewithasonofthekingofFrance，theunexpectedsuccessionofthatsontohisfather’sthrone，thebirthofherchildren，theirnumber，andthefactthatthreeofhersonswouldbekingsinsuccession，thattwoofherdaughterswouldbequeens，andthatallofthemweredestinedtodiewithoutposterity。Thispredictionwassofullyrealizedthatmanyhistorianshaveassumedthatitwaswrittenaftertheevents。
ItiswellknownthatNostradamustooktothechateaudeChaumont，whitherCatherinewentaftertheconspiracyofLaRenaudie，awomanwhopossessedthefacultyofreadingthefuture。Now，duringthereignofFrancoisII。，whilethequeenhadwithherherfoursons，allyoungandingoodhealth，andbeforethemarriageofherdaughterElizabethwithPhilipII。，kingofSpain，orthatofherdaughterMargueritewithHenrideBourbon，kingofNavarre(afterwardHenriIV。)，Nostradamusandthiswomanreiteratedthecircumstancesformerlypredictedinthefamousnativity。Thiswoman，whowasnodoubtgiftedwithsecondsight，andwhobelongedtothegreatschoolofSeekersoftheGreatWork，thoughtheparticularsofherlifeandnamearelosttohistory，statedthatthelastcrownedchildwouldbeassassinated。
Havingplacedthequeen-motherinfrontofamagicmirror，inwhichwasreflectedawheelontheseveralspokesofwhichwerethefacesofherchildren，thesorceresssetthewheelrevolving，andCatherinecountedthenumberofrevolutionswhichitmade。Eachrevolutionwasforeachsononeyearofhisreign。HenriIV。wasalsoputuponthewheel，whichthenmadetwenty-fourrounds，andthewoman(somehistorianshavesaiditwasaman)toldthefrightenedqueenthatHenrideBourbonwouldbekingofFranceandreignthatnumberofyears。FromthattimeforthCatherinede’MedicivowedamortalhatredtothemanwhomsheknewwouldsucceedthelastofherValoissons，whowastodieassassinated。Anxioustoknowwhatherowndeathwouldbe，shewaswarnedtobewareofSaint-Germain。Supposing，therefore，thatshewouldbeeitherputtodeathorimprisonedinthechateaudeSaint-Germain，shewouldneversomuchasputherfootthere，althoughthatresidencewasfarmoreconvenientforherpoliticalplans，owingtoitsproximitytoParis，thantheothercastlestowhichsheretreatedwiththekingduringthetroubles。Whenshewastakensuddenlyill，afewdaysafterthemurderoftheDucdeGuiseatBlois，sheaskedthenameofthebishopwhocametoassisther。BeingtolditwasSaint-Germain，shecriedout，”Iamdead！”anddidactuallydieonthemorrow，——having，moreover，livedtheexactnumberofyearsgiventoherbyallherhoroscopes。
Thesepredictions，whichwereknowntotheCardinaldeLorraine，whoregardedthemaswitchcraft，werenowinprocessofrealization。
FrancoisII。hadreignedhistworevolutionsofthewheel，andCharlesIX。wasnowmakinghislastturn。IfCatherinesaidthestrangewordswhichhistoryhasattributedtoherwhenhersonHenristartedforPoland，——”Youwillsoonreturn，”——theymustbesetdowntoherfaithinoccultscienceandnottotheintentionofpoisoningCharlesIX。
ManyothercircumstancescorroboratedCatherine’sfaithintheoccultsciences。ThenightbeforethetournamentatwhichHenriII。waskilled，Catherinesawthefatalblowinadream。Herastrologicalcouncil，thencomposedofNostradamusandthetwoRuggieri，hadalreadypredictedtoherthedeathoftheking。HistoryhasrecordedtheeffortsmadebyCatherinetopersuadeherhusbandnottoenterthelists。Theprognostic，andthedreamproducedbytheprognostic，wereverified。Thememoirsofthedayrelateanotherfactthatwasnolesssingular。ThecourierwhoannouncedthevictoryofMoncontourarrivedinthenight，afterridingwithsuchspeedthathekilledthreehorses。Thequeen-motherwasawakenedtoreceivethenews，towhichshereplied，”Iknewitalready。”Infact，asBrantomerelates，shehadtoldofherson’striumphtheeveningbefore，andnarratedseveralcircumstancesofthebattle。TheastrologerofthehouseofBourbonpredictedthattheyoungestofalltheprincesdescendedfromSaint-
Louis(thesonofAntoinedeBourbon)wouldascendthethroneofFrance。Thisprediction，relatedbySully，wasaccomplishedintheprecisetermsofthehoroscope；whichledHenriIV。tosaythatbydintoflyingthesepeoplesometimeshitthetruth。Howeverthatmaybe，ifmostofthegreatmindsofthatepochbelievedinthisvastscience，——calledMagicbythemastersofjudicialastrology，andSorcerybythepublic，——theywerejustifiedindoingsobythefulfilmentofhoroscopes。
ItwasfortheuseofCosmoRuggiero，hermathematician，astronomer，andastrologer，thatCatherinede’MedicierectedthetowerbehindtheHalleauxBles，——allthatnowremainsofthehoteldeSoissons。CosmoRuggieropossessed，likeconfessors，amysteriousinfluence，thepossessionofwhich，likethemagain，sufficedhim。Hecherishedanambitiousthoughtsuperiortoallvulgarambitions。Thisman，whomdramatistsandromance-writersdepictasajuggler，ownedtherichabbeyofSaint-MaheinLowerBrittany，andrefusedmanyhighecclesiasticaldignities；thegoldwhichthesuperstitiouspassionsoftheagepouredintohiscofferssufficedforhissecretenterprise；
andthequeen’shand，stretchedabovehishead，preservedeveryhairofitfromdanger。
II
SCHEMESAGAINSTSCHEMES
Thethirstforpowerwhichconsumedthequeen-mother，herdesirefordominion，wassogreatthatinordertoretainitshehad，aswehaveseen，alliedherselftotheGuises，thoseenemiesofthethrone；tokeepthereinsofpower，nowobtained，withinherhands，shewasusingeverymeans，eventothesacrificeofherfriendsandthatofherchildren。Thiswoman，ofwhomoneofherenemiessaidatherdeath，”Itismorethanaqueen，itismonarchyitselfthathasdied，”——thiswomancouldnotexistwithouttheintriguesofgovernment，asagamblercanliveonlybytheemotionsofplay。AlthoughshewasanItalianofthevoluptuousraceoftheMedici，theCalvinistswhocalumniatedherneveraccusedherofhavingalover。Agreatadmirerofthemaxim，”Dividetoreign，”shehadlearnedtheartofperpetuallypittingoneforceagainstanother。Nosoonerhadshegraspedthereinsofpowerthanshewasforcedtokeepupdissensionsinordertoneutralizethestrengthoftworivalhouses，andthussavetheCrown。Catherineinventedthegameofpoliticalsee-saw(sinceimitatedbyallprinceswhofindthemselvesinalikesituation)，byinstigating，firsttheCalvinistsagainsttheGuises，andthentheGuisesagainsttheCalvinists。Next，afterpittingthetworeligionsagainsteachotherintheheartofthenation，CatherineinstigatedtheDucd’AnjouagainsthisbrotherCharlesIX。Afterneutralizingeventsbyopposingthemtooneanother，sheneutralizedmen，byholdingthethreadofalltheirinterestsinherhands。Butsofearfulagame，whichneedstheheadofaLouisXI。toplayit，drawsdowninevitablythehatredofallpartiesupontheplayer，whocondemnshimselfforevertothenecessityofconquering；foronelostgamewillturneveryselfishinterestintoanenemy。
ThegreaterpartofthereignofCharlesIX。witnessedthetriumphofthedomesticpolicyofthisastonishingwoman。WhatadroitpersuasionmustCatherinehaveemployedtohaveobtainedthecommandofthearmiesfortheDucd’Anjouunderayoungandbraveking，thirstingforglory，capableofmilitaryachievement，generous，andinpresence，too，oftheConnetabledeMontmorency。IntheeyesofthestatesmenofEuropetheDucd’AnjouhadallthehonorsoftheSaint-Bartholomew，andCharlesIX。alltheodium。Afterinspiringthekingwithafalseandsecretjealousyofhisbrother，sheusedthatpassiontowearoutbytheintriguesoffraternaljealousythereallynoblequalitiesofCharlesIX。Cypierre，theking’sfirstgovernor，andAmyot，hisfirsttutor，hadmadehimsogreataman，theyhadpavedthewayforsonobleareign，thatthequeen-motherbegantohatehersonassoonasshefoundreasontofearthelossofthepowershehadsoslowlyandsopainfullyobtained。OnthesegeneralgroundsmosthistorianshavebelievedthatCatherinede’MedicifeltapreferenceforHenriIII。；
butherconductattheperiodofwhichwearenowwriting，provestheabsoluteindifferenceofherhearttowardallherchildren。
WhentheDucd’AnjouwenttoreigninPolandCatherinewasdeprivedoftheinstrumentbywhichshehadworkedtokeeptheking’spassionsoccupiedindomesticintrigues，whichneutralizedhisenergyinotherdirections。ShethensetuptheconspiracyofLaMoleandCoconnas，inwhichheryoungestson，theDucd’Alencon(afterwardsDucd’Anjou，ontheaccessionofHenriIII。)tookpart，lendinghimselfverywillinglytohismother’swishes，anddisplayinganambitionmuchencouragedbyhissisterMarguerite，thenqueenofNavarre。ThissecretconspiracyhadnowreachedthepointtowhichCatherinesoughttobringit。Itsobjectwastoputtheyoungdukeandhisbrother-in-law，thekingofNavarre，attheheadoftheCalvinists，toseizethepersonofCharlesIX。，andimprisonthatkingwithoutanheir，——leavingthethronetotheDucd’Alencon，whoseintentionitwastoestablishCalvinismasthereligionofFrance。Calvin，aswehavealreadysaid，hadobtained，afewdaysbeforehisdeath，therewardhehadsodeeplycoveted，——theReformationwasnowcalledCalvinisminhishonor。
IfLeLaboureurandothersensiblewritershadnotalreadyprovedthatLaMoleandCoconnas，——arrestedfiftynightsafterthedayonwhichourpresenthistorybegins，andbeheadedthefollowingApril，——even，wesay，ifithadnotbeenmadehistoricallyclearthatthesemenwerethevictimsofthequeen-mother’spolicy，thepartwhichCosmoRuggierotookinthisaffairwouldgofartoshowthatshesecretlydirectedtheirenterprise。Ruggiero，againstwhomthekinghadsuspicions，andforwhomhecherishedahatredthemotivesofwhichweareabouttoexplain，wasincludedintheprosecution。HeadmittedhavinggiventoLaMoleawaxfigurerepresentingtheking，whichwaspiercedthroughtheheartbytwoneedles。Thismethodofcastingspellsconstitutedacrime，which，inthosedays，waspunishedbydeath。Itpresentsoneofthemoststartlingandinfernalimagesofhatredthathumanitycouldinvent；itpicturesadmirablythemagneticandterribleworkingintheoccultworldofaconstantmalevolentdesiresurroundingthepersondoomedtodeath；theeffectsofwhichonthepersonareexhibitedbythefigureofwax。Thelawinthosedaysthought，andthoughtjustly，thatadesiretowhichanactualformwasgivenshouldberegardedasacrimeof/lesemajeste/。CharlesIX。
demandedthedeathofRuggiero；Catherine，morepowerfulthanherson，obtainedfromtheParliament，throughtheyoungcounsellor，Lecamus，acommutationofthesentence，andCosmowassenttothegalleys。Thefollowingyear，onthedeathoftheking，hewaspardonedbyadecreeofHenriIII。，whorestoredhispension，andreceivedhimatcourt。
But，toreturnnowtothemomentofwhichwearewriting，Catherinehad，bythistime，strucksomanyblowsontheheartofhersonthathewaseagerlydesirousofcastingoffheryoke。DuringtheabsenceofMarieTouchet，CharlesIX。，deprivedofhisusualoccupation，hadtakentoobservingeverythingabouthim。Hecleverlysettrapsforthepersonsinwhomhetrustedmost，inordertotesttheirfidelity。Hespiedonhismother’sactions，concealingfromherallknowledgeofhisown，employingforthisdeceptiontheevilqualitiesshehadfosteredinhim。ConsumedbyadesiretoblotoutthehorrorexcitedinFrancebytheSaint-Bartholomew，hebusiedhimselfactivelyinpublicaffairs；hepresidedattheCouncil，andtriedtoseizethereinsofgovernmentbywell-laidschemes。Thoughthequeen-motherendeavoredtochecktheseattemptsofhersonbyemployingallthemeansofinfluenceoverhismindwhichhermaternalauthorityandalonghabitofdomineeringgaveher，hisrushintodistrustwassovehementthathewenttoofaratthefirstboundevertoreturnfromit。Thedayonwhichhismother’sspeechtothekingofPolandwasreportedtohim，CharlesIX。，consciousofhisfailinghealth，conceivedthemosthorriblesuspicions，andwhensuchthoughtstakepossessionofthemindofasonandakingnothingcanremovethem。Infact，onhisdeathbed，atthemomentwhenheconfidedhiswifeanddaughtertoHenriIV。，hebegantoputthelatteronhisguardagainstCatherine，sothatshecriedoutpassionately，endeavoringtosilencehim，”Donotsaythat，monsieur！”
ThoughCharlesIX。neverceasedtoshowhertheoutwardrespectofwhichshewassotenaciousthatshewouldnevercallthekingshersonsanythingbut”Monsieur，”thequeen-motherhaddetectedinherson’smannerduringthelastfewmonthsanill-disguisedpurposeofvengeance。ButcleverindeedmustbethemanwhocountedontakingCatherineunawares。SheheldreadyinherhandatthismomenttheconspiracyoftheDuked’AlenconandLaMole，inordertocounteract，byanotherfraternalstruggle，theeffortsCharlesIX。wasmakingtowardemancipation。But，beforeemployingthismeans，shewantedtoremovehisdistrustofher，whichwouldrenderimpossibletheirfuturereconciliation；forwashelikelytorestorepowertothehandsofamotherwhomhethoughtcapableofpoisoninghim？ShefeltherselfatthismomentinsuchseriousdangerthatshehadsentforStrozzi，herrelationandasoldiernotedforhispromptitudeofaction。ShetookcounselinsecretwithBiragoandthetwoGondis，andneverdidshesofrequentlyconsultheroracle，CosmoRuggiero，asatthepresentcrisis。
Thoughthehabitofdissimulation，togetherwithadvancingage，hadgiventhequeen-motherthatwell-knownabbessface，withitshaughtyandmaceratedmask，expressionlessyetfullofdepth，inscrutableyetvigilant，remarkedbyallwhohavestudiedherportrait，thecourtiersnowobservedsomecloudsonhericycountenance。NosovereignwaseversoimposingasthiswomanfromthedaywhenshesucceededinrestrainingtheGuisesafterthedeathofFrancoisII。Herblackvelvetcap，madewithapointupontheforehead(forsheneverrelinquishedherwidow’smourning)seemedaspeciesoffemininecowlaroundthecold，imperiousface，towhich，however，sheknewhowtogive，attherightmoment，aseductiveItaliancharm。Catherinede’
Mediciwassowellmadethatshewasaccusedofinventingside-saddlestoshowtheshapeofherlegs，whichwereabsolutelyperfect。WomenfollowedherexampleinthisrespectthroughoutEurope，whicheventhentookitsfashionsfromFrance。ThosewhodesiretobringthisgrandfigurebeforetheirmindswillfindthatthescenenowtakingplaceinthebrownhalloftheLouvrepresentsitinastrikingaspect。
Thetwoqueens，differentinspirit，inbeauty，indress，andnowestranged，——onenaiveandthoughtful，theotherthoughtfulandgravelyabstracted，——werefartoopreoccupiedtothinkofgivingtheorderawaitedbythecourtiersfortheamusementsoftheevening。Thecarefullyconcealeddrama，playedforthelastsixmonthsbythemotherandsonwasmorethansuspectedbymanyofthecourtiers；buttheItalianswerewatchingitwithspecialanxiety，forCatherine’sfailureinvolvedtheirruin。
DuringthiseveningCharlesIX。，wearywiththeday’shunting，lookedtobefortyyearsold。Hehadreachedthelaststagesofthemaladyofwhichhedied，thesymptomsofwhichweresuchthatmanyreflectingpersonswerejustifiedinthinkingthathewaspoisoned。AccordingtodeThou(theTacitusoftheValois)thesurgeonsfoundsuspiciousspots——/excausaincognitarepertilivores/——onhisbody。Moreover，hisfuneralwasevenmoreneglectedthanthatofFrancoisII。ThebodywasconductedfromSaint-LazaretoSaint-DenisbyBrantomeandafewarchersoftheguardundercommandoftheComtedeSolern。Thiscircumstances，coupledwiththesupposedhatredofthemothertotheson，mayormaynotgivecolortodeThou’ssupposition，butitproveshowlittleaffectionCatherinefeltforanyofherchildren，——awantoffeelingwhichmaybeexplainedbyherimplicitfaithinthepredictionsofjudicialastrology。Thiswomanwasunabletofeelaffectionfortheinstrumentswhichweredestinedtofailher。HenriIII。wasthelastkingunderwhomherreignofpowerwastolast；thatwasthesoleconsiderationofherheartandmind。
Inthesedays，however，wecanreadilybelievethatCharlesIX。diedanaturaldeath。Hisexcesses，hismanneroflife，thesuddendevelopmentofhisfaculties，hislastspasmodicattempttorecoverthereinsofpower，hisdesiretolive，theabuseofhisvitalstrength，hisfinalsufferingsandlastpleasures，allprovetoanimpartialmindthathediedofconsumption，adiseasescarcelystudiedatthattime，andverylittleunderstood，thesymptomsofwhichmight，notunnaturally，leadCharlesIX。tobelievehimselfpoisoned。Therealpoisonwhichhismothergavehimwasinthefatalcounselsofthecourtierswhomsheplacedabouthim，——menwholedhimtowastehisintellectualaswellashisphysicalvigor，thusbringingonamaladywhichwaspurelyfortuitousandnotconstitutional。Undertheseharrowingcircumstances，CharlesIX。displayedagloomymajestyofdemeanorwhichwasnotunbecomingtoaking。Thesolemnityofhissecretthoughtswasreflectedonhisface，theolivetonesofwhichheinheritedfromhismother。Thisivorypallor，sofinebycandlelight，sosuitedtotheexpressionofmelancholythought，broughtoutvigorouslythefireoftheblue-blackeyes，whichgazedfromtheirthickandheavylidswiththekeenperceptionourfancylendstokings，theircolorbeingacloakfordissimulation。Thoseeyeswereterrible，——especiallyfromthemovementoftheirbrows，whichhecouldraiseorloweratwillonhisbald，highforehead。Hisnosewasbroadandlong，thickattheend，——thenoseofalion；hisearswerelarge，hishairsandy，hislipsblood-red，likethoseofallconsumptives，theupperlipthinandsarcastic，theloweronefirm，andfullenoughtogiveanimpressionofthenoblestqualitiesoftheheart。Thewrinklesofhisbrow，theyouthofwhichwaskilledbydreadfulcares，inspiredthestrongestinterest；remorse，causedbytheuselessnessoftheSaint-Bartholomew，accountedforsome，butthereweretwoothersonthatfacewhichwouldhavebeeneloquentindeedtoanystudentwhoseprematuregeniushadledhimtodivinetheprinciplesofmodernphysiology。Thesewrinklesmadeadeeplyindentedfurrowgoingfromeachcheek-bonetoeachcornerofthemouth，revealingtheinwardeffortsofanorganizationweariedbythetoilofthoughtandtheviolentexcitementsofthebody。CharlesIX。wasworn-out。Ifpolicydidnotstifleremorseinthebreastsofthosewhositbeneaththepurple，thequeen-mother，lookingatherownwork，wouldsurelyhavefeltit。HadCatherineforeseentheeffectofherintriguesuponherson，wouldshehaverecoiledfromthem？Whatafearfulspectaclewasthis！Akingbornvigorous，andnowsofeeble；amindpowerfullytempered，shakenbydistrust；amanclothedwithauthority，consciousofnosupport；afirmmindbroughttothepassofhavinglostallconfidenceinitself！Hiswarlikevalorhadchangedbydegreestoferocity；hisdiscretiontodeceit；therefinedanddelicateloveofaValoiswasnowamerequenchlessthirstforpleasure。Thispervertedandmisjudgedgreatman，withallthemanyfacetsofanoblesoulworn-out，——akingwithoutpower，agenerousheartwithoutafriend，draggedhitherandthitherbyathousandconflictingintrigues，——
presentedthemelancholyspectacleofayouth，onlytwenty-fouryearsold，disillusionedoflife，distrustingeverybodyandeverything，nowresolvingtoriskall，evenhislife，onalasteffort。Forsometimepasthehadfullyunderstoodhisroyalmission，hispower，hisresources，andtheobstacleswhichhismotheropposedtothepacificationofthekingdom；butalas！thislightnowburnedinashatteredlantern。
Twomen，whomCharlesIX。lovedsufficientlytoprotectundercircumstancesofgreatdanger，——JeanChapelain，hisphysician，whomhesavedfromtheSaint-Bartholomew，andAmbroisePare，withwhomhewenttodinewhenPare’senemieswereaccusinghimofintendingtopoisontheking，——hadarrivedthiseveninginhastefromtheprovinces，recalledbythequeen-mother。Bothwerewatchingtheirmasteranxiously。Afewcourtiersspoketotheminalowvoice；butthemenofsciencemadeguardedanswers，carefullyconcealingthefatalverdictwhichwasintheirminds。Everynowandthenthekingwouldraisehisheavyeyelidsandgivehismotherafurtivelookwhichhetriedtoconcealfromthoseabouthim。Suddenlyhesprangupandstoodbeforethefireplace。”MonsieurdeChiverni，”hesaidabruptly，”whydoyoukeepthetitleofchancellorofAnjouandPoland？Areyouinourservice，orinthatofourbrother？””Iamallyours，sire，”repliedChiverni，bowinglow。”Thencometometo-morrow；IintendtosendyoutoSpain。VerystrangethingsarehappeningatthecourtofMadrid，gentlemen。”
Thekinglookedathiswifeandflunghimselfbackintohischair。”Strangethingsarehappeningeverywhere，”saidtheMarechaldeTavannes，oneofthefriendsoftheking’syouth，inalowvoice。
Thekingroseagainandledthiscompanionofhisyouthfulpleasuresapartintotheembrasureofthewindowatthecorneroftheroom，saying，whentheywereoutofhearing:——”Iwantyou。Remainherewhentheothersgo。Ishallknowto-nightwhetheryouareformeoragainstme。Don’tlookastonished。Iamabouttoburstmybonds。Mymotheristhecauseofalltheevilaboutme。ThreemonthshenceIshallbekingindeed，ordead。Silence，ifyouvalueyourlife！Youwillhavemysecret，youandSolernandVilleroyonly。Ifitisbetrayed，itwillbebyoneofyouthree。
Don’tkeepnearme；goandpayyourcourttomymother。TellherIamdying，andthatyoudon’tregretit，forIamonlyapoorcreature。”
Thekingwasleaningontheshoulderofhisoldfavorite，andpretendingtotellhimofhisailments，inordertomisleadtheinquisitiveeyesabouthim；then，notwishingtomakehisaversiontoovisible，hewentuptohiswifeandmotherandtalkedwiththem，callingBiragototheirside。
JustthenPinard，oneofthesecretariesofState，glidedlikeaneelthroughthedoorandalongthewalluntilhereachedthequeen-mother，inwhoseearhesaidafewwords，towhichsherepliedbyanaffirmativesign。Thekingdidnotaskhismotherthemeaningofthisconference，buthereturnedtohisseatandkeptsilence，dartingterriblelooksofangerandsuspicionallabouthim。
Thislittlecircumstanceseemedofenormousconsequenceintheeyesofthecourtiers；and，intruth，somarkedanexerciseofpowerbythequeen-mother，withoutreferencetotheking，waslikeadropofwateroverflowingthecup。QueenElizabethandtheComtessedeFiesquenowretired，butthekingpaidnoattentiontotheirmovements，thoughthequeen-motherroseandattendedherdaughter-in-lawtothedoor；afterwhichthecourtiers，understandingthattheirpresencewasunwelcome，tooktheirleave。Byteno’clocknooneremainedinthehallbutafewintimates，——thetwoGondis，Tavannes，Solern，Birago，theking，andthequeen-mother。
Thekingsatplungedintheblackestmelancholy。Thesilencewasoppressive。Catherineseemedembarrassed。Shewishedtoleavetheroom，andwaitedforthekingtoescorthertothedoor；buthestillcontinuedobstinatelylostinthought。Atlastsherosetobidhimgood-night，andCharlesIX。wasforcedtodolikewise。Asshetookhisarmandmadeafewstepstowardthedoor，shebenttohisearandwhispered:——”Monsieur，Ihaveimportantthingstosaytoyou。”
Passingamirroronherway，sheglancedintoitandmadeasignwithhereyestothetwoGondis，whichescapedtheking’snotice，forhewasatthemomentexchanginglooksofintelligencewiththeComtedeSolernandVilleroy。Tavanneswasthoughtful。”Sire，”saidthelatter，comingoutofhisreverie，”Ithinkyouareroyallyennuyed；don’tyoueveramuseyourselfnow？/ViveDieu/！haveyouforgottenthetimeswhenweusedtovagabondizeaboutthestreetsatnight？””Ah！thosewerethegoodoldtimes！”saidtheking，withasigh。”Whynotbringthemback？”saidBirago，glancingsignificantlyattheGondisashetookhisleave。”Yes，Ialwaysthinkofthosedayswithpleasure，”saidAlbertdeGondi，DucdeRetz。”I’dliketoseeyouontheroofsoncemore，monsieurleduc，”
remarkedTavannes。”DamnedItaliancat！Iwishhemightbreakhisneck！”headdedinawhispertotheking。”Idon’tknowwhichofustwocouldclimbthequickestinthesedays，”
replieddeGondi；”butonethingIdoknow，thatneitherofusfearstodie。””Well，sire，willyoustartuponafrolicinthestreetsto-night，asyoudidinthedaysofyouryouth？”saidtheotherGondi，masteroftheWardrobe。
Thedaysofhisyouth！soattwenty-fouryearsofagethewretchedkingseemednolongeryoungtoanyone，noteventohisflatterers！
Tavannesandhismasternowremindedeachother，liketwoschool-boys，ofcertainprankstheyhadplayedinParis，andtheevening’samusementwassoonarranged。ThetwoItalians，challengedtoclimbroofs，andjumpfromonetoanotheracrossalleysandstreets，wageredthattheywouldfollowthekingwhereverhewent。TheyandTavanneswentofftochangetheirclothes。TheComtedeSolern，leftalonewiththeking，lookedathiminamazement。ThoughtheworthyGerman，filledwithcompassionforthehaplesspositionofthekingofFrance，washonorandfidelityitself，hewascertainlynotquickofperception。
CharlesIX。，surroundedbyhostilepersons，unabletotrustanyone，notevenhiswife(whohadbeenguiltyofsomeindiscretions，unawareasshewasthathismotherandhisservantswerehisenemies)，hadbeenfortunateenoughtofindinMonsieurdeSolernafaithfulfriendinwhomhecouldplaceentireconfidence。TavannesandVilleroyweretrustedwithonlyapartoftheking’ssecrets。TheComtedeSolernaloneknewthewholeoftheplanwhichhewasnowabouttocarryout。
Thisdevotedfriendwasalsousefultohismaster，inpossessingabodyofdiscreetandaffectionatefollowers，whoblindlyobeyedhisorders。Hecommandedadetachmentofthearchersoftheguards，andforthelastfewdayshehadbeensiftingoutthemenwhowerefaithfullyattachedtotheking，inordertomakeacompanyoftriedmenwhentheneedcame。Thekingtookthoughtofeverything。”Whyareyousurprised，Solern？”hesaid。”YouknowverywellIneedapretexttobeoutto-night。Itistrue，IhaveMadamedeBelleville，butthisisbetter；forwhoknowswhethermymotherdoesnothearofallthatgoesonatMarie’s？”
MonsieurdeSolern，whowastofollowtheking，askedifhemightnottakeafewofhisGermanstopatrolthestreets，andCharlesconsented。Abouteleveno’clocktheking，whowasnowverygay，setforthwithhisthreecourtiers，——namely，TavannesandthetwoGondis。”I’llgoandtakemylittleMariebysurprise，”saidCharlesIX。toTavannes，”aswepassthroughtheruedel’Autruche。”ThatstreetbeingonthewaytotherueSaint-Honore，itwouldhavebeenstrangeindeedforthekingtopassthehouseofhislovewithoutstopping。
Lookingoutforachanceofmischief，——abelatedburghertofrighten，orawatchmantothrash——thekingwentalongwithhisnoseintheair，watchingallthelightedwindowstoseewhatwashappening，andstrivingtoheartheconversations。Butalas！hefoundhisgoodcityofParisinastateofdeplorabletranquillity。Suddenly，ashepassedthehouseofaperfumernamedRene，whosuppliedthecourt，theking，noticingastronglightfromawindowintheroof，wasseizedbyoneofthoseapparentlyhastyinspirationswhich，tosomeminds，suggestapreviousintention。
Thisperfumerwasstronglysuspectedofcuringrichuncleswhothoughtthemselvesill。Thecourtlaidathisdoorthefamous”ElixirofInheritance，”andevenaccusedhimofpoisoningJeanned’Albret，motherofHenriofNavarre，whowasburied(inspiteofCharlesIX。’spositiveorder)withoutherheadbeingopened。ForthelasttwomonthsthekinghadsoughtsomewayofsendingaspyintoRene’slaboratory，where，ashewaswellaware，CosmoRuggierospentmuchtime。Thekingintended，ifanythingsuspiciouswerediscovered，toproceedinthematteralone，withouttheassistanceofthepoliceorlaw，withwhom，ashewellknew，hismotherwouldcounteracthimbymeansofeithercorruptionorfear。
Itiscertainthatduringthesixteenthcentury，andtheyearsthatprecededandfollowedit，poisoningwasbroughttoaperfectionunknowntomodernchemistry，ashistoryitselfwillprove。Italy，thecradleofmodernscience，was，atthisperiod，theinventorandmistressofthesesecrets，manyofwhicharenowlost。HencethereputationforthatcrimewhichweighedforthetwofollowingcenturiesonItaly。Romance-writershavesogreatlyabuseditthatwherevertheyhaveintroducedItaliansintotheirtalestheyhavealmostalwaysmadethemplaythepartofassassinsandpoisoners。[*]
IfItalythenhadthetrafficinsubtlepoisonswhichsomehistoriansattributetoher，weshouldrememberhersupremacyintheartoftoxicology，aswedoherpre-eminenceinallotherhumanknowledgeandartinwhichshetooktheleadinEurope。Thecrimesofthatperiodwerenothercrimesspecially。Sheservedthepassionsoftheage，justasshebuiltmagnificentedifices，commandedarmies，paintednoblefrescos，sangromances，lovedqueens，delightedkings，devisedballetsandfetes，andruledallpolicies。ThehorribleartofpoisoningreachedtosuchapitchinFlorencethatawoman，dividingapeachwithaduke，usingagoldenfruit-knifewithonesideofitsbladepoisoned，ateonehalfofthepeachherselfandkilledthedukewiththeotherhalf。Apairofperfumedgloveswereknowntohaveinfiltratedmortalillnessthroughtheporesoftheskin。Poisonwasinstilledintobunchesofnaturalroses，andthefragrance，wheninhaled，gavedeath。DonJohnofAustriawaspoisoned，itwassaid，byapairofboots。
[*]Writtensixty-sixyearsago——Tr。
CharlesIX。hadgoodreasontobecuriousinthematter；weknowalreadythedarksuspicionsandbeliefswhichnowpromptedhimtosurprisetheperfumerReneathiswork。
Theoldfountainatthecorneroftheruedel’Arbre-See，whichhassincebeenrebuilt，offeredeveryfacilityfortheroyalvagabondstoclimbupontheroofofahousenotfarfromthatofRene，whichthekingwishedtovisit。Charles，followedbyhiscompanions，begantorambleovertheroofs，tothegreatterroroftheburghersawakenedbythetrampofthesefalsethieves，whocalledtotheminsaucylanguage，listenedtotheirtalk，andevenpretendedtoforceanentrance。WhentheItalianssawthekingandTavannesthreadingtheirwayamongtheroofsofthehousenexttothatofRene，AlbertdeGondisatdown，declaringthathewastired，andhisbrotherfollowedhisexample。”Somuchthebetter，”thoughttheking，gladtoleavehisspiesbehindhim。
TavannesbegantolaughatthetwoFlorentines，leftsittingaloneinthemidstofdeepsilence，inaplacewheretheyhadnoughtbuttheskiesabovethem，andthecatsforauditors。Butthebrothersmadeuseoftheirpositiontoexchangethoughtstheywouldnotdaretoutteronanyotherspotintheworld，——thoughtsinspiredbytheeventsoftheevening。”Albert，”saidtheGrand-mastertothemarechal，”thekingwillgetthebetterofthequeen-mother；wearedoingafoolishthingforourownintereststostaybythoseofCatherine。Ifwegoovertothekingnow，whenheissearchingeverywhereforsupportagainstherandforablementoservehim，weshallnotbedrivenawaylikewildbeastswhenthequeen-motherisbanished，imprisoned，orkilled。””Youwouldn’tgetfarwithsuchideas，Charles，”repliedthemarechal，gravely。”You’dfollowthekingintothegrave，andhewon’tlivelong；heisruinedbyexcesses。CosmoRuggieropredictshisdeathwithinayear。””Thedyingboarhasoftenkilledthehuntsman，”saidCharlesdeGondi。”ThisconspiracyoftheDucd’Alencon，thekingofNavarre，andthePrincedeConde，withwhomLaMoleandCoconnasarenegotiating，ismoredangerousthanuseful。Inthefirstplace，thekingofNavarre，whomthequeen-motherhopedtocatchintheveryact，distrustsher，anddeclinestorunhisheadintothenoose。Hemeanstoprofitbytheconspiracywithouttakinganyofitsrisks。Besides，thenotionnowistoputthecrownontheheadoftheDucd’Alencon，whohasturnedCalvinist。””/Budelone/！butdon’tyouseethatthisconspiracyenablesthequeen-
mothertofindoutwhattheHuguenotscandowiththeDucd’Alencon，andwhatthekingcandowiththeHuguenots？——forthekingisevennownegotiatingwiththem；buthe’llbefinelypilloriedto-morrow，whenCatherinerevealstohimthecounter-conspiracywhichwillneutralizeallhisprojects。””Ah！”exclaimedCharlesdeGondi，”bydintofprofitingbyouradviceshe’scleverandstrongerthanwe！Well，that’sallright。””AllrightfortheDucd’Anjou，whopreferstobekingofFranceratherthankingofPoland；Iamgoingnowtoexplainthemattertohim。””Whendoyoustart，Albert？””To-morrow。IamorderedtoaccompanythekingofPoland；andIexpecttojoinhiminVenice，wherethepatricianshavetakenuponthemselvestoamuseanddelayhim。””Youareprudenceitself！””/Chebestia/！Isweartoyouthereisnottheslightestdangerforeitherofusinremainingatcourt。Iftherewere，doyouthinkI
wouldgoaway？Ishouldstaybythesideofourkindmistress。””Kind！”exclaimedtheGrand-master；”sheisawomantodropallherinstrumentsthemomentshefindsthemheavy。””/Ocoglione/！youpretendtobeasoldier，andyoufeardeath！Everybusinesshasitsduties，andwehaveoursinmakingourfortune。Byattachingourselvestokings，thesourceofalltemporalpowerwhichprotects，elevates，andenrichesfamilies，weareforcedtogivethemasdevotedaloveasthatwhichburnsintheheartsofmartyrstowardheaven。Wemustsufferintheircause；whentheysacrificeustotheinterestsoftheirthronewemayperish，forwedieasmuchforourselvesasforthem，butournameandourfamiliesperishnot。
/Ecco/！””Youarerightastoyourself，Albert；fortheyhavegivenyoutheancienttitleandduchyofdeRetz。””Nowlistentome，”repliedhisbrother。”ThequeenhopesmuchfromtheclevernessoftheRuggieri；sheexpectsthemtobringthekingoncemoreunderhercontrol。WhenCharlesrefusedtouseRene’sperfumesanylongerthewarywomanknewatonceonwhomhissuspicionsreallyrested。Butwhocantelltheschemesthatareinhismind？
Perhapsheisonlyhesitatingastowhatfateheshallgivehismother；hehatesher，youknow。Hesaidafewwordsaboutittohiswife；sherepeatedthemtoMadamedeFiesque，andMadamedeFiesquetoldthequeen-mother。Sincethenthekinghaskeptawayfromhiswife。””Thetimehascome，”saidCharlesdeGondi。”Todowhat？”askedthemarechal。”Tolayholdoftheking’smind，”repliedtheGrand-master，who，ifhewasnotsomuchinthequeen’sconfidenceashisbrother，wasbynomeanslessclear-sighted。”Charles，Ihaveopenedagreatcareertoyou，”saidhisbrothergravely。”Ifyouwishtobeadukealso，be，asIam，theaccompliceandcat’s-pawofourmistress；sheisthestrongesthere，andshewillcontinueinpower。MadamedeSauvesisonherside，andthekingofNavarreandtheDucd’AlenconarestillforMadamedeSauves。
CatherineholdsthepairinaleashunderCharlesIX。，andshewillholdtheminfutureunderHenriIII。GodgrantthatHenrimaynotproveungrateful。””Howso？””Hismotherisdoingtoomuchforhim。””Hush！whatnoiseisthatIhearintherueSaint-Honore？”criedtheGrand-master。”Listen！thereissomeoneatRene’sdoor！Don’tyouhearthefootstepsofmanymen。CantheyhavearrestedtheRuggieri？””Ah，/diavolo/！thisisprudenceindeed。Thekinghasnotshownhisusualimpetuosity。Butwherewilltheyimprisonthem？Letusgodownintothestreetandsee。”
Thetwobrothersreachedthecorneroftheruedel’Autruchejustasthekingwasenteringthehouseofhismistress，MarieTouchet。Bythelightofthetorcheswhichtheconciergecarried，theydistinguishedTavannesandthetwoRuggieri。”Hey，Tavannes！”criedthegrand-master，runningaftertheking’scompanion，whohadturnedandwasmakinghiswaybacktotheLouvre，”Whathappenedtoyou？””Wefellintoanestofsorcerersandarrestedtwo，compatriotsofyours，whomayperhapsbeabletoexplaintothemindsofFrenchgentlemenhowyou，whoarenotFrenchmen，havemanagedtolayhandsontwoofthechiefofficesoftheCrown，”repliedTavannes，halfjesting，halfinearnest。”Buttheking？”inquiredtheGrand-master，whocaredlittleforTavanne’senmity。”Hestayswithhismistress。””Wereachedourpresentdistinctionthroughanabsolutedevotiontoourmasters，——anoblecourse，mydearTavannes，whichIseethatyoualsohaveadopted，”repliedAlbertdeGondi。
Thethreecourtierswalkedoninsilence。Atthemomentwhentheyparted，onmeetingtheirservantswhothenescortedthem，twomenglidedswiftlyalongthewallsoftheruedel’Autruche。ThesemenwerethekingandtheComtedeSolern，whosoonreachedthebanksoftheSeine，atapointwhereaboatandtworowers，carefullyselectedbydeSolern，awaitedthem。Inaveryfewmomentstheyreachedtheothershore。”Mymotherhasnotgonetobed，”criedtheking。”Shewillseeus；wechoseabadplacefortheinterview。””Shewillthinkitaduel，”repliedSolern；”andshecannotpossiblydistinguishwhoweareatthisdistance。””Well，letherseeme！”exclaimedCharlesIX。”Iamresolvednow！”
ThekingandhisconfidantsprangashoreandwalkedquicklyinthedirectionofthePre-aux-Clercs。WhentheyreachedittheComtedeSolern，precedingtheking，metamanwhowasevidentlyonthewatch，andwithwhomheexchangedafewwords；themanthenretiredtoadistance。Presentlytwoothermen，whoseemedtobeprincesbythemarksofrespectwhichthefirstmanpaidtothem，lefttheplacewheretheywereevidentlyhidingbehindthebrokenfenceofafield，andapproachedtheking，towhomtheybenttheknee。ButCharlesIX。
raisedthembeforetheytouchedtheground，saying:——”Noceremony，weareallgentlemenhere。”
Avenerableoldman，whomighthavebeentakenfortheChancelierdel’Hopital，hadthelatternotdiedintheprecedingyear，nowjoinedthethreegentlemen，allfourwalkingrapidlysoastoreachaspotwheretheirconferencecouldnotbeoverheardbytheirattendants。TheComtedeSolernfollowedataslightdistancetokeepwatchovertheking。ThatfaithfulservantwasfilledwithadistrustnotsharedbyCharlesIX。，amantowhomlifewasnowaburden。Hewastheonlypersonontheking’ssidewhowitnessedthismysteriousconference，whichpresentlybecameanimated。”Sire，”saidoneofthenew-comers，”theConnetabledeMontmorency，theclosestfriendofthekingyourfather，agreedwiththeMarechaldeSaint-AndreindeclaringthatMadameCatherineoughttobesewnupinasackandflungintotheriver。Ifthathadbeendonethen，manyworthypersonswouldstillbealive。””Ihaveenoughexecutionsonmyconscience，monsieur，”repliedtheking。”But，sire，”saidtheyoungestofthefourpersonages，”ifyoumerelybanishher，fromthedepthsofherexileQueenCatherinewillcontinuetostirupstrife，andtofindauxiliaries。WehaveeverythingtofearfromtheGuises，who，forthelastnineyears，haveschemedforavastCatholicalliance，inthesecretofwhichyourMajestyisnotincluded；anditthreatensyourthrone。ThisalliancewasinventedbySpain，whichwillneverrenounceitsprojectofdestroyingtheboundaryofthePyrenees。Sire，CalvinismwillsaveFrancebysettingupamoralbarrierbetweenherandanationwhichcovetstheempireoftheworld。Ifthequeen-motherisexiled，shewillturnforhelptoSpainandtotheGuises。””Gentlemen，”saidtheking，”knowthis，ifbyyourhelppeacewithoutdistrustisonceestablished，Iwilltakeuponmyselfthedutyofmakingallsubjectstremble。/Tete-Dieu/！itistimeindeedforroyaltytoassertitself。Mymotherisrightinthat，atanyrate。Yououghttoknowthatitistoyourinterestwaswellasmine，foryourhands，yourfortunesdependuponourthrone。Ifreligionisoverthrown，thehandsyouallowtodoitwillbelaidnextuponthethroneandthenuponyou。Inolongercaretofightideaswithweaponsthatcannottouchthem。LetusseenowifProtestantismwillmakeprogresswhenlefttoitself；aboveall，Iwouldliketoseewithwhomandwhatthespiritofthatfactionwillwrestle。Theadmiral，Godresthissoul！wasnotmyenemy；hesworetometorestraintherevoltwithinspirituallimits，andtoleavetherulingofthekingdomtothemonarch，hismaster，withsubmissivesubjects。Gentlemen，ifthematterbestillwithinyourpower，setthatexamplenow；helpyoursovereigntoputdownaspiritofrebellionwhichtakestranquillityfromeachandallofus。Warisdeprivingusofrevenue；itisruiningthekingdom。Iamwearyoftheseconstanttroubles；soweary，thatifitisabsolutelynecessaryIwillsacrificemymother。Nay，Iwillgofarther；IwillkeepanequalnumberofProtestantsandCatholicsaboutme，andIwillholdtheaxeofLouisXI。abovetheirheadstoforcethemtobeongoodterms。IftheMessieursdeGuiseplotaHolyAlliancetoattackourcrown，theexecutionershallbeginwiththeirheads。Iseethemiseriesofmypeople，andIwillmakeshortworkofthegreatlordswhocarelittleforconsciences，——letthemholdwhatopinionstheylike；whatIwantinfutureissubmissivesubjects，whowillwork，accordingtomywill，fortheprosperityoftheState。
Gentlemen，Igiveyoutendaystonegotiatewithyourfriends，tobreakoffyourplots，andtoreturntomewhowillbeyourfather。ifyourefuseyouwillseegreatchanges。Ishallusethemassofthepeople，whowillriseatmyvoiceagainstthelords。Iwillmakemyselfakingwhopacificateshiskingdombystrikingdownthosewhoaremorepowerfuleventhanyou，andwhodaredefyhim。Ifthetroopsfailme，IhavemybrotherofSpain，onwhomIshallcalltodefendourmenacedthrones，andifIlackaministertocarryoutmywill，hecanlendmetheDukeofAlba。””Butinthatcase，sire，weshouldhaveGermanstoopposetoyourSpaniards，”saidoneofhishearers。”Cousin，”repliedCharlesIX。，coldly，”mywife’snameisElizabethofAustria；supportmightfailyouontheGermanside。But，forHeaven’ssake，letusfight，iffightwemust，alone，withoutthehelpofforeigners。Youaretheobjectofmymother’shatred，andyoustandnearenoughtometobemysecondintheduelIamabouttofightwithher；wellthen，listentowhatInowsay。YouseemtomesoworthyofconfidencethatIofferyouthepostof/connetable/；/you/willnotbetraymeliketheother。”
TheprincetowhomCharlesIX。hadaddressedhimself，struckhishandintothatoftheking，exclaiming:”/Ventre-saint-gris/！brother；thisisenoughtomakemeforgetmanywrongs。But，sire，theheadcannotmarchwithoutthetail，andoursisalongtailtodrag。Givememorethantendays；wewantatleastamonthtomakeourfriendshearreason。Attheendofthattimeweshallbemasters。””Amonth，sobeit！MyonlynegotiatorwillbeVilleroy；trustnooneelse，nomatterwhatissaidtoyou。””Onemonth，”echoedtheotherseigneurs，”thatissufficient。””Gentlemen，wearefive，”saidtheking，——”fivemenofhonor。Ifanybetrayaltakesplace，weshallknowonwhomtoavengeit。”
ThethreestrangerskissedthehandofCharlesIX。andtookleaveofhimwitheverymarkoftheutmostrespect。AsthekingrecrossedtheSeine，fouro’clockwasringingfromtheclock-toweroftheLouvre。
Lightswereoninthequeen-mother’sroom；shehadnotyetgonetobed。”Mymotherisstillonthewatch，”saidCharlestotheComtedeSolern。”Shehasherforgeasyouhaveyours，”remarkedtheGerman。”Dearcount，whatdoyouthinkofakingwhoisreducedtobecomeaconspirator？”saidCharlesIX。，bitterly，afterapause。”Ithink，sire，thatifyouwouldallowmetoflingthatwomanintotheriver，asyouryoungcousinsaid，Francewouldsoonbeatpeace。””What！aparricideinadditiontotheSaint-Bartholomew，count？”criedtheking。”No，no！Iwillexileher。Oncefallen，mymotherwillnolongerhaveeitherservantsorpartisans。””Well，then，sire，”repliedtheComtedeSolern，”givemetheordertoarrestheratonceandtakeheroutofthekingdom；forto-morrowshewillhaveforcedyoutochangeyourmind。””Cometomyforge，”saidtheking，”noonecanoverhearusthere；
besides，Idon’twantmymothertosuspectthecaptureoftheRuggieri。IfsheknowsIaminmywork-shopshe’llsupposenothing，andwecanconsultaboutthepropermeasuresforherarrest。”
