Asthekingenteredalowerroomofthepalace，whichheusedforaworkshop，hecalledhiscompanion’sattentiontotheforgeandhisimplementswithalaugh。”Idon’tbelieve，”hesaid，”amongallthekingsthatFrancewilleverhave，there’llbeanothertotakepleasureinsuchworkasthat。ButwhenIamreallyking，I’llforgenoswords；theyshallallgobackintotheirscabbards。””Sire，”saidtheComtedeSolern，”thefatiguesoftennisandhunting，yourtoilatthisforge，and——ifImaysayit——love，arechariotswhichthedevilisofferingyoutogetthefastertoSaint-Denis。””Solern，”saidtheking，inapiteoustone，”ifyouknewthefiretheyhaveputintomysoulandbody！nothingcanquenchit。AreyousureofthemenwhoareguardingtheRuggieri？””Assureasofmyself。””Verygood；then，duringthiscomingdayIshalltakemyowncourse。
Thinkofthepropermeansofmakingthearrest，andIwillgiveyoumyfinalordersbyfiveo’clockatMadamedeBelleville’s。”
Asthefirstraysofdawnwerestrugglingwiththelightsoftheworkshop，CharlesIX。，leftalonebythedepartureoftheComtedeSolern，heardthedooroftheapartmentturnonitshinges，andsawhismotherstandingwithinitinthedimlightlikeaphantom。Thoughverynervousandimpressible，thekingdidnotquiver，albeit，underthecircumstancesinwhichhethenstood，thisapparitionhadacertainairofmysteryandhorror。”Monsieur，”shesaid，”youarekillingyourself。””Iamfulfillingmyhoroscope，”herepliedwithabittersmile。”Butyou，madame，youappeartobeasearlyasI。””Wehavebothbeenupallnight，monsieur；butwithverydifferentintentions。Whileyouhavebeenconferringwithyourworstenemiesintheopenfields，concealingyouractsfromyourmother，assistedbyTavannesandtheGondis，withwhomyouhavebeenscouringthetown，I
havebeenreadingdespatcheswhichcontainedtheproofsofaterribleconspiracyinwhichyourbrother，theDucd’Alencon，yourbrother-in-
law，thekingofNavarre，thePrincedeConde，andhalfthenoblesofyourkingdomaretakingpart。Theirpurposeisnothinglessthantotakethecrownfromyourheadandseizeyourperson。Thosegentlemenhavealreadyfiftythousandgoodtroopsbehindthem。””Bah！”exclaimedtheking，incredulously。”YourbrotherhasturnedHuguenot，”shecontinued。”Mybrother！goneovertotheHuguenots！”criedCharles，brandishingthepieceofironwhichheheldinhishand。”Yes；theDucd’Alencon，Huguenotatheart，willsoonbeonebeforetheeyesoftheworld。Yoursister，thequeenofNavarre，hasalmostceasedtoloveyou；shecaresmorefortheDucd’Alencon；shecaresofBussy；andshelovesthatlittleLaMole。””Whataheart！”exclaimedtheking。”ThatlittleLaMole，”wentonthequeen，”wishestomakehimselfagreatmanbygivingFranceakingofhisownstripe。Heispromised，theysay，theplaceofconnetable。””CursethatMargot！”criedtheking。”Thisiswhatcomesofhermarriagewithaheretic。””Hereticornotisofnoconsequence；thetroubleisthat，inspiteofmyadvice，youhavebroughttheheadoftheyoungerbranchtoonearthethronebythatmarriage，andHenri’spurposeisnowtoembroilyouwiththerestandmakeyoukilloneanother。ThehouseofBourbonistheenemyofthehouseofValois；rememberthat，monsieur。Allyoungerbranchesshouldbekeptinastateofpoverty，fortheyarebornconspirators。Itissheerfollytogivethemarmswhentheyhavenone，ortoleavetheminpossessionofarmswhentheyseizethem。Leteveryyoungersonbemadeincapableofdoingharm；thatisthelawofCrowns；theSultansofAsiafollowit。Theproofsofthisconspiracyareinmyroomupstairs，whereIaskedyoutofollowmelastevening，whenyoubademegood-night；butinsteadofdoingso，itseemsyouhadotherplans。Ithereforewaitedforyou。IfwedonottakethepropermeasuresimmediatelyyouwillmeetthefateofCharlestheSimplewithinamonth。””Amonth！”exclaimedtheking，thunderstruckatthecoincidenceofthatperiodwiththedelayaskedforbytheprincesthemselves。”’Inamonthweshallbemasters，’”headdedtohimself，quotingtheirwords。”Madame，”hesaidaloud，”whatareyourproofs？””Theyareunanswerable，monsieur；theycomefrommydaughterMarguerite。Alarmedherselfatthepossibilitiesofsuchacombination，herloveforthethroneoftheValoishasprovedstronger，thistime，thanallherotherloves。Sheasks，asthepriceofherrevelationsthatnothingshallbedonetoLaMole；butthescoundrelseemstomeadangerousvillainwhomwehadbetterberidof，aswellastheComtedeCoconnas，yourbrotherd’Alencon’srighthand。AsforthePrincedeConde，heconsentstoeverything，providedIamthrownintothesea；perhapsthatistheweddingpresenthegivesmeinreturnfortheprettywifeIgavehim！Allthisisaseriousmatter，monsieur。Youtalkofhoroscopes！IknowofthepredictionwhichgivesthethroneoftheValoistotheBourbons，andifwedonottakecareitwillbefulfilled。Donotbeangrywithyoursister；shehasbehavedwellinthisaffair。Myson，”continuedthequeen，afterapause，givingatoneoftendernesstoherwords，”evilpersonsonthesideoftheGuisesaretryingtosowdissensionsbetweenyouandme；
andyetwearetheonlyonesinthekingdomwhoseinterestsareabsolutelyidentical。Youblameme，Iknow，fortheSaint-Bartholomew；
youaccusemeofhavingforcedyouintoit。Catholicism，monsieur，mustbethebondbetweenFrance，Spain，andItaly，threecountrieswhichcan，byskilfulmanagement，secretlyplanned，beunitedincourseoftime，underthehouseofValois。Donotdepriveyourselfofsuchchancesbyloosingthecordwhichbindsthethreekingdomsinthebondsofacommonfaith。WhyshouldnottheValoisandtheMedicicarryoutfortheirownglorytheschemeofCharlestheFifth，whoseheadfailedhim？LetusflingoffthatraceofJeannelaFolle。TheMedici，mastersofFlorenceandofRome，willforceItalytosupportyourinterests；theywillguaranteeyouadvantagesbytreatiesofcommerceandalliancewhichshallrecognizeyourfiefsinPiedmont，theMilanais，andNaples，whereyouhaverights。These，monsieur，arethereasonsofthewartothedeathwhichwemakeagainsttheHuguenots。Whydoyouforcemetorepeatthesethings？Charlemagnewaswronginadvancingtowardthenorth。FranceisabodywhoseheartisontheGulfofLyons，anditstwoarmsoverSpainandItaly。
Therefore，shemustruletheMediterranean，thatbasketintowhicharepouredalltherichesoftheOrient，nowturnedtotheprofitofthoseseigneursofVenice，intheveryteethofPhilipII。IfthefriendshipoftheMediciandyourrightsjustifyyouinhopingforItaly，force，alliances，orapossibleinheritancemaygiveyouSpain。WarnthehouseofAustriaastothis，——thatambitioushousetowhichtheGuelphssoldItaly，andwhichisevennowhankeringafterSpain。
Thoughyourwifeisofthathouse，humbleit！Claspitsocloselythatyouwillsmotherit！/There/aretheenemiesofyourkingdom；thencecomeshelptotheReformers。Donotlistentothosewhofindtheirprofitincausingustodisagree，andwhotormentyourlifebymakingyoubelieveIamyoursecretenemy。Have/I/preventedyoufromhavingheirs？Whyhasyourmistressgivenyouason，andyourwifeadaughter？Whyhaveyounotto-daythreelegitimateheirstorootoutthehopesoftheseseditiouspersons？IsitI，monsieur，whoamresponsibleforsuchfailures？Ifyouhadanheir，wouldtheDucd’Alenconbenowconspiring？”
Assheendedthesewords，Catherinefixeduponhersonthemagneticglanceofabirdofpreyuponitsvictim。ThedaughteroftheMedicibecamemagnificent；herrealselfshoneuponherface，which，likethatofagambleroverthegreentable，glitteredwithvastcupidities。CharlesIX。sawnolongerthemotherofoneman，but(aswassaidofher)themotherofarmiesandofempires，——/matercastrorum/。Catherinehadnowspreadwidethewingsofhergenius，andboldlyflowntotheheightsoftheMediciandValoispolicy，tracingoncemorethemightyplanswhichterrifiedinearlierdaysherhusbandHenriII。，andwhich，transmittedbythegeniusoftheMedicitoRichelieu，remaininwritingamongthepapersofthehouseofBourbon。
ButCharlesIX。，hearingtheunusualpersuasionshismotherwasusing，thoughtthattheremustbesomenecessityforthem，andhebegantoaskhimselfwhatcouldbehermotive。Hedroppedhiseyes；hehesitated；hisdistrustwasnotlessenedbyherstudiedphrases。
Catherinewasamazedatthedepthsofsuspicionshenowbeheldinherson’sheart。”Well，monsieur，”shesaid，”doyounotunderstandme？Whatarewe，youandI，incomparisonwiththeeternityofroyalcrowns？Doyousupposemetohaveotherdesignsthanthosethatoughttoactuateallroyalpersonswhoinhabitthespherewhereempiresareruled？””Madame，Iwillfollowyoutoyourcabinet；wemustact——””Act！”criedCatherine；”letourenemiesalone；let/them/act；takethemred-handed，andlawandjusticewilldeliveryoufromtheirassaults。ForGod’ssake，monsieur，showthemgood-will。”
Thequeenwithdrew；thekingremainedaloneforafewmoments，forhewasutterlyoverwhelmed。”Onwhichsideisthetrap？”thoughthe。”Whichofthetwo——sheorthey——deceiveme？Whatismybestpolicy？/Deus，discernecausammeam/！”hemutteredwithtearsinhiseyes。”Lifeisaburdentome！I
preferdeath，naturalorviolent，totheseperpetualtorments！”hecriedpresently，bringingdownhishammerupontheanvilwithsuchforcethatthevaultsofthepalacetrembled。”MyGod！”hesaid，ashewentoutsideandlookedupatthesky，”thouforwhoseholyreligionIstruggle，givemethelightofthycountenancethatImaypenetratethesecretsofmymother’sheartwhileIquestiontheRuggieri。”
III
MARIETOUCHET
ThelittlehouseofMadamedeBelleville，whereCharlesIX。haddepositedhisprisoners，wasthelastbutoneintheruedel’AutrucheonthesideoftherueSaint-Honore。Thestreetgate，flankedbytwolittlebrickpavilions，seemedverysimpleinthosedays，whengatesandtheiraccessoriesweresoelaboratelytreated。Ithadtwopilastersofstonecutinfacets，andthecopingrepresentedarecliningwomanholdingacornucopia。Thegateitself，closedbyenormouslocks，hadawicketthroughwhichtoexaminethosewhoaskedadmittance。Ineachpavilionlivedaporter；fortheking’sextremelycapriciouspleasurerequiredaporterbydayandbynight。Thehousehadalittlecourtyard，pavedlikethoseofVenice。Atthisperiod，beforecarriageswereinvented，ladieswentaboutonhorseback，orinlitters，sothatcourtyardscouldbemademagnificentwithoutfearofinjuryfromhorsesorcarriages。Thisfactisalwaystoberememberedasanexplanationofthenarrownessofstreets，thesmallsizeofcourtyards，andcertainotherdetailsoftheprivatedwellingsofthefifteenthandsixteenthcenturies。
Thehouse，ofonestoryonlyabovetheground-floor，wascappedbyasculpturedfrieze，abovewhichrosearoofwithfoursides，thepeakbeingflattenedtoformaplatform。Dormerwindowswerecutinthisroof，withcasingsandpedimentswhichthechiselofsomegreatartisthadcoveredwitharabesquesanddentils；eachofthethreewindowsonthemainfloorwereequallybeautifulinstoneembroidery，whichthebrickofthewallsshowedofftogreatadvantage。Ontheground-floor，adoubleportico，verydelicatelydecorated，ledtotheentrancedoor，whichwascoveredwithbossescutwithfacetsintheVenetianmanner，——astyleofdecorationwhichwasfurthercarriedonroundthewindowsplacedtorightandleftofthedoor。
Agarden，carefullylaidoutinthefashionofthetimesandfilledwithchoiceflowers，occupiedaspacebehindthehouseequaltothatofthecourtyardinfront。Agrape-vinedrapeditswalls。Inthecentreofagrassplotroseasilverfir-tree。Theflower-borderswereseparatedfromthegrassbymeanderingpathswhichledtoanarborofclippedyewsatthefartherendofthelittlegarden。Thewallswerecoveredwithamosaicofvariouslycoloredpebbles，coarseindesign，itistrue，butpleasingtotheeyefromtheharmonyofitstintswiththoseoftheflower-beds。Thehousehadacarvedbalconyonthegardenside，abovethedoor，andalsoonthefronttowardthecourtyard，andaroundthemiddlewindows。Onbothsidesofthehousetheornamentationoftheprincipalwindow，whichprojectedsomefeetfromthewall，rosetothefrieze；sothatitformedalittlepavilion，hungtherelikealantern。Thecasingsoftheotherwindowswereinlaidonthestonewithpreciousmarbles。
Inspiteoftheexquisitetastedisplayedinthelittlehouse，therewasanairofmelancholyaboutit。Itwasdarkenedbythebuildingsthatsurroundeditandbytheroofsofthehoteld’Alenconwhichthrewaheavyshadowoverbothcourtandgarden；moreover，adeepsilencereignedthere。Butthissilence，thesehalf-lights，thissolitude，soothedaroyalsoul，whichcouldtheresurrenderitselftoasingleemotion，asinacloisterwheremenpray，orinsomeshelteredhomewhereintheylove。
Itiseasynowtoimaginetheinteriorcharmandchoicenessofthishaven，thesolespotinhiskingdomwherethisdyingValoiscouldpourouthissoul，revealhissufferings，exercisehistasteforart，andgivehimselfuptothepoesyheloved，——pleasuresdeniedhimbythecaresofacruelroyalty。Here，alone，werehisgreatsoulandhishighintrinsicworthappreciated；herehecouldgivehimselfup，forafewbriefmonths，thelastofhislife，tothejoysoffatherhood，——
pleasuresintowhichheflunghimselfwiththefrenzythatasenseofhiscominganddreadfuldeathimpressedonallhisactions。
Intheafternoonofthedaysucceedingthenight-scenewehavejustdescribed，MarieTouchetwasfinishinghertoiletintheoratory，whichwastheboudoirofthosedays。Shewasarrangingthelongcurlsofherbeautifulblackhair，blendingthemwiththevelvetofanewcoif，andgazingintentlyintohermirror。”Itisnearlyfouro’clock；thatinterminablecouncilmustsurelybeover，”shethoughttoherself。”JacobhasreturnedfromtheLouvre；hesaysthateverybodyhesawwasexcitedaboutthenumberofthecouncillorssummonedandthelengthofthesession。Whatcanhavehappened？Isitsomemisfortune？GoodGod！surely/he/knowshowsuspensewearsoutthesoul！Perhapshehasgonea-hunting？Ifheishappyandamused，itisallright。WhenIseehimgay，IforgetallI
havesuffered。”
Shedrewherhandsroundherslenderwaistasiftosmoothsometriflingwrinkleinhergown，turningsidewaystoseeifitsfoldsfellproperly，andasshedidso，shecaughtsightofthekingonthecouchbehindher。Thecarpethadsomuffledthesoundofhisstepsthathehadslippedinsoftlywithoutbeingheard。”Youfrightenedme！”shesaid，withacryofsurprise，whichwasquicklyrepressed。”Wereyouthinkingofme？”saidtheking。”WhendoInotthinkofyou？”sheanswered，sittingdownbesidehim。
Shetookoffhiscapandcloak，passingherhandsthroughhishairasthoughshecombeditwithherfingers。Charlesletherdoasshepleased，butmadenoanswer。Surprisedatthis，Mariekneltdowntostudythepalefaceofherroyalmaster，andthensawthesignsofadreadfulwearinessandamoreconsummatemelancholythananyshehadyetconsoled。Sherepressedhertearsandkeptsilence，thatshemightnotirritatebymistakenwordsthesorrowwhich，asyet，shedidnotunderstand。Inthisshedidastenderwomendounderlikecircumstances。Shekissedthatforehead，seamedwithuntimelywrinkles，andthoselividcheeks，tryingtoconveytotheworn-outsoulthefreshnessofhers，——pouringherspiritintothesweetcaresseswhichmetwithnoresponse。Presentlysheraisedherheadtotheleveloftheking’s，claspinghimsoftlyinherarms；thenshelaystill，herfacehiddenonthatsufferingbreast，watchingfortheopportunemomenttoquestionhisdejectedmind。”MyCharlot，”shesaidatlast，”willyounottellyourpoor，distressedMariethetroublesthatcloudthatpreciousbrow，andwhitenthosebeautifulredlips？””ExceptCharlemagne，”hesaidinahollowvoice，”allthekingsofFrancenamedCharleshaveendedmiserably。””Pooh！”shesaid，”lookatCharlesVIII。””Thatpoorprince！”exclaimedtheking。”IntheflowerofhisagehestruckhisheadagainstalowdooratthechateauofAmboise，whichhewashavingdecorated，anddiedinhorribleagony。Itwashisdeathwhichgavethecrowntoourfamily。””CharlesVII。reconqueredhiskingdom。””Darling，hedied”(thekingloweredhisvoice)”ofhunger；forhefearedbeingpoisonedbythedauphin，whohadalreadycausedthedeathofhisbeautifulAgnes。Thefatherfearedhisson；to-daythesondreadshismother！””Whydragupthepast？”shesaidhastily，rememberingthedreadfullifeofCharlesVI。”Ah！sweetest，kingshavenoneedtogotosorcererstodiscovertheircomingfate；theyneedonlyturntohistory。IamatthismomentendeavoringtoescapethefateofCharlestheSimple，whowasrobbedofhiscrown，anddiedinprisonaftersevenyears’captivity。””CharlesV。conqueredtheEnglish，”shecriedtriumphantly。”No，nothe，butduGuesclin。Hehimself，poisonedbyCharlesdeNavarre，draggedoutawretchedexistence。””Well，CharlesIV。，then？””Hemarriedthreetimestoobtainanheir，inspiteofthemasculinebeautyofthechildrenofPhilippeleBel。ThefirsthouseofValoisendedwithhim，andthesecondisabouttoendinthesameway。Thequeenhasgivenmeonlyadaughter，andIshalldiewithoutleavingherpregnant；foralongminoritywouldbethegreatestcurseIcouldbequeathtothekingdom。Besides，ifIhadason，wouldhelive？ThenameofCharlesisfatal；Charlemagneexhaustedtheluckofit。IfI
leftasonIwouldtrembleatthethoughtthathewouldbeCharlesX。””Whoisitthatwantstoseizeyourcrown？””Mybrotherd’Alenconconspiresagainstit。Enemiesareallaboutme。””Monsieur，”saidMarie，withacharminglittlepout，”dotellmesomethinggayer。””Ah！mylittlejewel，mytreasure，don’tcallme’monsieur，’eveninjest；youremindmeofmymother，whostabsmeincessantlywiththattitle，bywhichsheseemstosnatchawaymycrown。Shesays’myson’
totheDucd’Anjou——ImeanthekingofPoland。””Sire，”exclaimedMarie，claspingherhandsasthoughshewerepraying，”thereisakingdomwhereyouareworshipped。YourMajestyfillsitwithhisglory，hispower；andtheretheword’monsieur，’
means’mybelovedlord。’”
Sheunclaspedherhands，andwithaprettygesturepointedtoherheart。Thewordswereso/musiques/(touseawordofthetimeswhichdepictedthemelodiesoflove)thatCharlesIX。caughtherroundthewaistwiththenervousforcethatcharacterizedhim，andseatedheronhisknee，rubbinghisforeheadgentlyagainsttheprettycurlssocoquettishlyarranged。Mariethoughtthemomentfavorable；sheventuredafewkisses，whichCharlesallowedratherthanaccepted，thenshesaidsoftly:——”Ifmyservantswerenotmistakenyouwereoutallnightinthestreets，asinthedayswhenyouplayedthepranksofayoungerson。””Yes，”repliedtheking，stilllostinhisownthoughts。”Didyoufightthewatchmanandfrightensomeoftheburghers？Whoarethemenyoubroughthereandlockedup？Theymustbeverycriminal，asyouwon’tallowanycommunicationwiththem。Nogirlwaseverlockedinascarefully，andtheyhavenothadamouthfultoeatsincetheycame。TheGermanswhomSolernlefttoguardthemwon’tletanyonegoneartheroom。Isitajokeyouareplaying；orisitsomethingserious？””Yes，youareright，”saidtheking，comingoutofhisreverie，”lastnightIdidscourtheroofswithTavannesandtheGondis。Iwantedtotrymyoldfollieswiththeoldcompanions；butmylegswerenotwhattheyoncewere；Ididnotdareleapthestreets；thoughwedidjumptwoalleysfromonerooftothenext。Atthesecond，however，TavannesandI，holdingontoachimney，agreedthatwecouldn’tdoitagain。
Ifeitherofushadbeenalonewecouldn’thavedoneitthen。””I’llwagerthatyousprangfirst。”Thekingsmiled。”Iknowwhyyouriskyourlifeinthatway。””Andwhy，youlittlewitch？””Youaretiredoflife。””Ah，sorceress！ButIambeinghunteddownbysorcery，”saidtheking，resuminghisanxiouslook。”Mysorceryislove，”shereplied，smiling。”Sincethehappydaywhenyoufirstlovedme，haveInotalwaysdivinedyourthoughts？And——ifyouwillletmespeakthetruth——thethoughtswhichtortureyouto-dayarenotworthyofaking。””AmIaking？”hesaidbitterly。”Cannotyoubeone？WhatdidCharlesVII。do？Helistenedtohismistress，monseigneur，andhereconqueredhiskingdom，invadedbytheEnglishasyoursisnowbytheenemiesofourreligion。Yourlast/coupd’Etat/showedyouthecourseyouhavetofollow。Exterminateheresy。””YoublamedtheSaint-Bartholomew，”saidCharles，”andnowyou——””Thatisover，”shesaid；”besides，IagreewithMadameCatherinethatitwasbettertodoityourselvesthanlettheGuisesdoit。””CharlesVII。hadonlymentofight；Iamfacetofacewithideas，”
resumedtheking。”Wecankillmen，butwecan’tkillwords！TheEmperorCharlesV。gaveuptheattempt；hissonPhiliphasspenthisstrengthuponit；weshallallperish，wekings，inthatstruggle。OnwhomcanIrely？Toright，amongtheCatholics，IfindtheGuises，whoaremyenemies；toleft，theCalvinists，whowillneverforgivemethedeathofmypooroldColigny，northatbloodydayinAugust；besides，theywanttosuppressthethrone；andinfrontofmewhathaveI？——mymother！””Arresther；reignalone，”saidMarieinalowvoice，whisperinginhisear。”Imeanttodosoyesterday；to-dayInolongerintendit。Youspeakofitrathercoolly。””Betweenthedaughterofanapothecaryandthatofadoctorthereisnogreatdifference，”repliedTouchet，alwaysreadytolaughatthefalseoriginattributedtoher。
Thekingfrowned。”Marie，don’ttakesuchliberties。Catherinede’Mediciismymother，andyououghttotremblelest——””Whatisityoufear？””Poison！”criedtheking，besidehimself。”Poorchild！”criedMarie，restraininghertears；forthesightofsuchstrengthunitedtosuchweaknesstouchedherdeeply。”Ah！”shecontinued，”youmakemehateMadameCatherine，whohasbeensogoodtome；herkindnessnowseemsperfidy。Whyisshesokindtome，andbadtoyou？DuringmystayinDauphineIheardmanythingsaboutthebeginningofyourreignwhichyouconcealedfromme；itseemstomethatthequeen，yourmother，istherealcauseofallyourtroubles。””Inwhatway？”criedtheking，deeplyinterested。”Womenwhosesoulsandwhoseintentionsarepureusevirtuewherewithtorulethementheylove；butwomenwhodonotseekgoodrulementhroughtheirevilinstincts。Now，thequeenmadevicesoutofcertainofyournoblestqualities，andshetaughtyoutobelievethatyourworstinclinationswerevirtues。Wasthatthepartofamother？BeatyrantlikeLouisXI。；inspireterror；imitatePhilipII。；banishtheItalians；driveouttheGuises；confiscatethelandsoftheCalvinists。Outofthissolitudeyouwillriseaking；youwillsavethethrone。Themomentispropitious；yourbrotherisinPoland。””Wearetwochildrenatstatecraft，”saidCharles，bitterly；”weknownothingexcepthowtolove。Alas！mytreasure，yesterdayI，too，thoughtallthesethings；Idreamedofaccomplishinggreatdeeds——bah！
mymotherblewdownmyhouseofcards！Fromadistanceweseegreatquestionsoutlinedlikethesummitsofmountains，anditiseasytosay:’I’llmakeanendofCalvinism；I’llbringthoseGuisestotask；
I’llseparatefromtheCourtofRome；I’llrelyuponmypeople，upontheburghers——’ah！yes，fromafaritallseemssimpleenough！buttrytoclimbthosemountainsandthehigheryougothemorethedifficultiesappear。Calvinism，initself，isthelastthingtheleadersofthatpartycarefor；andtheGuises，thoserabidCatholics，wouldbesorryindeedtoseetheCalvinistsputdown。Eachsideconsidersitsowninterestsexclusively，andreligiousopinionsarebutacloakforinsatiableambition。ThepartyofCharlesIX。isthefeeblestofall。ThatofthekingofNavarre，thatofthekingofPoland，thatoftheDucd’Alencon，thatoftheCondes，thatoftheGuises，thatofmymother，areallintriguingoneagainstanother，buttheytakenoaccountofme，noteveninmyowncouncil。Mymother，inthemidstofsomanycontendingelements，is，nevertheless，thestrongestamongthem；shehasjustprovedtometheinanityofmyplans。Wearesurroundedbyrebellioussubjectswhodefythelaw。TheaxeofLouisXI。ofwhichyouspeak，islackingtous。ParliamentwouldnotcondemntheGuises，northekingofNavarre，northeCondes，normybrother。No！thecouragetoassassinateisneeded；thethronewillbeforcedtostrikedownthoseinsolentmenwhosuppressbothlawandjustice；butwherecanwefindthefaithfularm？ThecouncilI
heldthismorninghasdisgustedmewitheverything；treasoneverywhere；contendinginterestsallaboutme。Iamtiredwiththeburdenofmycrown。Ionlywanttodieinpeace。”
Hedroppedintoasortofgloomysomnolence。”Disgustedwitheverything！”repeatedMarieTouchet，sadly；butshedidnotdisturbtheblacktorporofherlover。
Charleswasthevictimofacompleteprostrationofmindandbody，producedbythreethings，——theexhaustionofallhisfaculties，aggravatedbythedisheartenmentofrealizingtheextentofanevil；
therecognizedimpossibilityofsurmountinghisweakness；andtheaspectofdifficultiessogreatthatgeniusitselfwoulddreadthem。
Theking’sdepressionwasinproportiontothecourageandtheloftinessofideastowhichhehadrisenduringthelastfewmonths。
Inadditiontothis，anattackofnervousmelancholy，causedbyhismalady，hadseizedhimashelefttheprotractedcouncilwhichhadtakenplaceinhisprivatecabinet。Mariesawthathewasinoneofthosecriseswhentheleastword，evenoflove，wouldbeimportunateandpainful；sosheremainedkneelingquietlybesidehim，herheadonhisknee，theking’shandburiedinherhair，andhehimselfmotionless，withoutaword，withoutasigh，asstillasMarieherself，——CharlesIX。inthelethargyofimpotence，Marieinthestuporofdespairwhichcomestoalovingwomanwhensheperceivestheboundariesatwhichloveends。
Theloversthusremained，inthedeepestsilence，duringoneofthoseterriblehourswhenallreflectionwounds，whenthecloudsofaninwardtempestveileventhememoryofhappiness。Mariebelievedthatsheherselfwaspartlythecauseofthisfrightfuldejection。Sheaskedherself，notwithouthorror，iftheexcessivejoysandtheviolentlovewhichshehadneveryetfoundstrengthtoresist，didnotcontributetoweakenthemindandbodyoftheking。Assheraisedhereyes，bathedintears，towardherlover，shesawtheslowtearsrollingdownhispallidcheeks。Thismarkofthesympathythatunitedthemsomovedthekingthatherushedfromhisdepressionlikeaspurredhorse。HetookMarieinhisarmsandplacedheronthesofa。”Iwillnolongerbeaking，”hecried。”Iwillbeyourlover，yourloveronly，whollygivenuptothathappiness。Iwilldiehappy，andnotconsumedbythecaresandmiseriesofathrone。”
Thetoneofthesewords，thefirethatshoneinthehalf-extincteyesoftheking，gaveMarieaterribleshockinsteadofhappiness；sheblamedherloveasanaccompliceinthemaladyofwhichthekingwasdying。”Meanwhileyouforgetyourprisoners，”shesaid，risingabruptly。”Hey！whatcareIforthem？Igivethemleavetokillme。””What！aretheymurderers？””Oh，don’tbefrightened，littleone；weholdthemfast。Don’tthinkofthem，butofme。Doyouloveme？””Sire！”shecried。”Sire！”herepeated，sparksdartingfromhiseyes，soviolentwastherushofhisangerattheuntimelyrespectofhismistress。”Youareinleaguewithmymother。””OGod！”criedMarie，lookingatthepictureaboveher/prie-dieu/andturningtowardittosayherprayer，”grantthathecomprehendme！””Ah！”saidthekingsuspiciously，”youhavesomewrongtomeuponyourconscience！”Thenlookingatherfrombetweenhisarms，heplungedhiseyesintohers。”IhaveheardsometalkofthemadpassionofacertainEntragues，”hewentonwildly。”Eversincetheirgrandfather，thesoldierBalzac，marriedaviscontessaatMilanthatfamilyholdtheirheadstoohigh。”
Marielookedatthekingwithsoproudanairthathewasashamed。AtthatinstantthecriesoflittleCharlesdeValois，whohadjustawakened，wereheardinthenextroom。Marierantothedoor。”Comein，Bourguignonne！”shesaid，takingthechildfromitsnurseandcarryingittotheking。”Youaremoreofachildthanhe，”shecried，halfangry，halfappeased。”Heisbeautiful！”saidCharlesIX。，takinghissoninhisarms。”Ialoneknowhowlikeheistoyou，”saidMarie；”alreadyhehasyoursmileandyourgestures。””Sotinyasthat！”saidtheking，laughingather。”Oh，Iknowmendon’tbelievesuchthings；butwatchhim，myCharlot，playwithhim。Lookthere！See！AmInotright？””True！”exclaimedtheking，astonishedbyamotionofthechildwhichseemedtheveryminiatureofagestureofhisown。”Ah，theprettyflower！”criedthemother。”Nevershallheleaveus！
/He/willnevercausemegrief。”
Thekingfrolickedwithhisson；hetossedhiminhisarms，andkissedhimpassionately，talkingthefoolish，unmeaningtalk，thepretty，babylanguageinventedbynursesandmothers。Hisvoicegrewchild-
like。Atlasthisforeheadcleared，joyreturnedtohissaddenedface，andthen，asMariesawthathehadforgottenhistroubles，shelaidherheaduponhisshoulderandwhisperedinhisear:——”Won’tyoutellme，Charlot，whyyouhavemademekeepmurderersinmyhouse？Whoarethesemen，andwhatdoyoumeantodowiththem？Inshort，Iwanttoknowwhatyouweredoingontheroofs。Ihopetherewasnowomaninthebusiness？””Thenyoulovemeasmuchasever！”criedtheking，meetingtheclear，interrogatoryglancethatwomenknowsowellhowtocastuponoccasion。”Youdoubted/me/，”shereplied，asatearshoneonherbeautifuleyelashes。”Therearewomeninmyadventure，”saidtheking；”buttheyaresorceresses。HowfarhadItoldyou？””Youwereontheroofsnearby——whatstreetwasit？””RueSaint-Honore，sweetest，”saidtheking，whoseemedtohaverecoveredhimself。Collectingthisthoughts，hebegantoexplaintohismistresswhathadhappened，asiftoprepareherforascenethatwaspresentlytotakeplaceinherpresence。”AsIwaspassingthroughthestreetlastnightonafrolic，”hesaid，”IchancedtoseeabrightlightfromthedormerwindowofthehouseoccupiedbyRene，mymother’sgloverandperfumer，andonceyours。I
havestrongdoubtsaboutthatmanandwhatgoesoninhishouse。IfI
ampoisoned，thedrugwillcomefromthere。””Ishalldismisshimto-morrow。””Ah！soyoukepthimafterIhadgivenhimup？”criedtheking。”I
thoughtmylifewassafewithyou，”headdedgloomily；”butnodoubtdeathisfollowingmeevenhere。””But，mydearest，IhaveonlyjustreturnedfromDauphinewithourdauphin，”shesaid，smiling，”andRenehassuppliedmewithnothingsincethedeathoftheQueenofNavarre。Goon；youclimbedtotheroofofRene’shouse？”
IV
THEKING’STALE”Yes，”returnedtheking。”InasecondIwasthere，followedbyTavannes，andthenweclamberedtoaspotwhereIcouldseewithoutbeingseentheinteriorofthatdevil’skitchen，inwhichIbeheldextraordinarythingswhichinspiredmetotakecertainmeasures。Didyouevernoticetheendoftheroofofthatcursedperfumer？Thewindowstowardthestreetarealwaysclosedanddark，exceptthelast，fromwhichcanbeseenthehoteldeSoissonsandtheobservatorywhichmymotherbuiltforthatastrologer，CosmoRuggiero。Undertheroofarelodging-roomsandagallerywhichhavenowindowsexceptonthecourtyard，sothatinordertoseewhatwasgoingonwithin，itwasnecessarytogowherenomanbeforeeverdreamedofclimbing，——alongthecopingofahighwallwhichadjoinstheroofofRene’shouse。Themenwhosetupinthathousethefurnacesbywhichtheydistildeath，reckonedonthecowardiceofParisianstosavethemfrombeingoverlooked；buttheylittlethoughtofCharlesdeValois！IcreptalongthecopinguntilIcametoawindow，againstthecasingofwhichIwasabletostandupstraightwithmyarmroundacarvedmonkeywhichornamentedit。””Whatdidyousee，dearheart？”saidMarie，trembling。”Aden，whereworksofdarknesswerebeingdone，”repliedtheking。”Thefirstobjectonwhichmyeyeslightedwasatalloldmanseatedinachair，withamagnificentwhitebeard，likethatofoldl’Hopital，anddressedlikehiminablackvelvetrobe。Onhisbroadforeheadfurroweddeepwithwrinkles，onhiscrownofwhitehair，onhiscalm，attentiveface，palewithtoilandvigils，felltheconcentratedraysofalampfromwhichshoneavividlight。Hisattentionwasdividedbetweenanoldmanuscript，theparchmentofwhichmusthavebeencenturiesold，andtwolightedfurnacesonwhichhereticalcompoundswerecooking。Neitherthefloornortheceilingofthelaboratorycouldbeseen，becauseofthemyriadsofhangingskeletons，bodiesofanimals，driedplants，minerals，andarticlesofallkindsthatmaskedthewalls；whileonthefloorwerebooks，instrumentsfordistilling，chestsfilledwithutensilsformagicandastrology；inoneplaceIsawhoroscopesandnativities，phials，wax-
figuresunderspells，andpossiblypoisons。TavannesandIwerefascinated，Idoassureyou，bythesightofthisdevil’s-arsenal。
Onlytoseeitputsoneunderaspell，andifIhadnotbeenKingofFrance，Imighthavebeenawedbyit。’Youcantrembleforbothofus，’IwhisperedtoTavannes。ButTavannes’eyeswerealreadycaughtbythemostmysteriousfeatureofthescene。Onacouch，neartheoldman，layagirlofstrangestbeauty，——slenderandlonglikeasnake，whiteasermine，lividasdeath，motionlessasastatue。Perhapsitwasawomanjusttakenfromhergrave，onwhomtheyweretryingexperiments，forsheseemedtowearashroud；hereyeswerefixed，andIcouldnotseethatshebreathed。Theoldfellowpaidnoattentiontoher。Ilookedathimsointentlythat，afterawhile，hissoulseemedtopassintomine。Bydintofstudyinghim，Iendedbyadmiringtheglanceofhiseye，——sokeen，soprofound，sobold，inspiteofthechillingpowerofage。Iadmiredhismouth，mobilewiththoughtsemanatingfromadesirewhichseemedtobethesolitarydesireofhissoul，andwasstampeduponeverylineoftheface。Allthingsinthatmanexpressedahopewhichnothingdiscouraged，andnothingcouldcheck。Hisattitude，——aquiveringimmovability，——thoseoutlinessofree，carvedbyasinglepassionasbythechiselofasculptor，thatIDEAconcentratedonsomeexperimentcriminalorscientific，thatseekingMindinquestofNature，thwartedbyher，bendingbutneverbrokenundertheweightofitsownaudacity，whichitwouldnotrenounce，threateningcreationwiththefireitderivedfromit，——ah！
allthatheldmeinaspellforthetimebeing。IsawbeforemeanoldmanwhowasmoreofakingthanI，forhisglanceembracedtheworldandmasteredit。Iwillforgeswordsnolonger；Iwillsoarabovetheabyssesofexistence，likethatman；forhisscience，methinks，istrueroyalty！Yes，Ibelieveinoccultscience。””You，theeldestson，thedefenderoftheHolyCatholic，Apostolic，andRomanChurch？”saidMarie。”I。””Whathappenedtoyou？Goon，goon；Iwillfearforyou，andyouwillhavecourageforme。””Lookingataclock，theoldmanrose，”continuedtheking。”Hewentout，Idon’tknowwhere；butIheardthewindowonthesidetowardtherueSaint-Honoreopen。Soonabrilliantlightgleamedoutuponthedarkness；thenIsawintheobservatoryofthehoteldeSoissonsanotherlightreplyingtothatoftheoldman，andbyitIbeheldthefigureofCosmoRuggieroonthetower。’See，theycommunicate！’IsaidtoTavannes，whofromthatmomentthoughtthematterfrightfullysuspicious，andagreedwithmethatweoughttoseizethetwomenandsearch，incontinently，theiraccursedworkshop。Butbeforeproceedingtodoso，wewantedtoseewhatwasgoingtohappen。Afteraboutfifteenminutesthedooropened，andCosmoRuggiero，mymother’scounsellor，——thebottomlesspitwhichholdsthesecretsofthecourt，hefromwhomallwomenaskhelpagainsttheirhusbandsandlovers，andallthemenaskhelpagainsttheirunfaithfulwivesandmistresses，hewhotrafficsonthefutureasonthepast，receivingpaywithbothhands，whosellshoroscopesandissupposedtoknowallthings，——thatsemi-devilcamein，sayingtotheoldman，’Good-daytoyou，brother。’
Withhimhebroughtahideousoldwoman，——toothless，humpbacked，twisted，bent，likeaChineseimage，onlyworse。Shewaswrinkledasawitheredapple；herskinwassaffron-colored；herchinbithernose；
hermouthwasamerelinescarcelyvisible；hereyeswereliketheblackspotsonadice；herforeheademittedbitterness；herhairescapedinstragglinggraylocksfromadirtycoif；shewalkedwithacrutch；shesmeltofheresyandwitchcraft。Thesightofheractuallyfrightenedus，Tavannesandme！Wedidn’tthinkheranaturalwoman。
Godnevermadeawomansofearfulasthat。ShesatdownonastoolneartheprettysnakewithwhomTavanneswasinlove。Thetwobrotherspaidnoattentiontotheoldwomannortotheyoungwoman，whotogethermadeahorriblecouple，——ontheonesidelifeindeath，ontheotherdeathinlife——””Ah！mysweetpoet！”criedMarie，kissingtheking。”’Good-day，Cosmo，’repliedtheoldalchemist。Andtheybothlookedintothefurnace。’Whatstrengthhasthemoonto-day？’askedtheelder。’But，/caroLorenzo/，’repliedmymother’sastrologer，’theSeptembertidesarenotyetover；wecanlearnnothingwhilethatdisorderlasts。’’WhatsaystheEastto-night？’’Itdisclosesintheairacreativeforcewhichreturnstoearthallthatearthtakesfromit。Theconclusionisthatallthingsherebelowaretheproductofaslowtransformation，butthatalldiversitiesaretheformsofoneandthesamesubstance。’’Thatiswhatmypredecessorthought，’repliedLorenzo。’ThismorningBernardPalissytoldmethatmetalsweretheresultofcompression，andthatfire，whichdividesall，alsounitesall；firehasthepowertocompressaswellastoseparate。Thatmanhasgenius。’ThoughIwasplacedwhereitwasimpossibleforthemtoseeme，Cosmosaid，liftingthehandofthedeadgirl:’Someoneisnearus！Whoisit’’Theking，’sheanswered。Iatonceshowedmyselfandrappedonthewindow。Ruggieroopenedit，andIsprangintothathellishkitchen，followedbyTavannes。’Yes，theking，’IsaidtothetwoFlorentines，whoseemedterrified。’Inspiteofyourfurnacesandyourbooks，yoursciencesandyoursorceries，youdidnotforeseemyvisit。IamverygladtomeetthefamousLorenzoRuggiero，ofwhommymotherspeaksmysteriously，’Isaid，addressingtheoldman，whoroseandbowed。’Youareinthiskingdomwithoutmyconsent，mygoodman。
Forwhomareyouworkinghere，youwhoseancestorsfromfathertosonhavebeendevotedinhearttothehouseofMedici？Listentome！Youdiveintosomanypursesthatbythistime，ifyouaregraspingmen，youhavepiledupgold。Youaretooshrewdandcautioustocastyourselvesimprudentlyintocriminalactions；but，nevertheless，youarenothereinthiskitchenwithoutapurpose。Yes，youhavesomesecretscheme，youwhoaresatisfiedneitherbygoldnorpower。Whomdoyouserve，——Godorthedevil？Whatareyouconcoctinghere？I
choosetoknowthewholetruth；Iamamanwhocanhearitandkeepsilenceaboutyourenterprise，howeverblamableitmaybe。Thereforeyouwilltellmeall，withoutreserve。Ifyoudeceivemeyouwillbetreatedseverely。PagansorChristians，CalvinistsorMohammedans，youhavemyroyalwordthatyoushallleavethekingdominsafetyifyouhaveanymisdemeanorstorelate。Ishallleaveyoufortherestofthenightandtheforenoonofto-morrowtoexamineyourthoughts；foryouarenowmyprisoners，andyouwillatoncefollowmetoaplacewhereyouwillbeguardedcarefully。’BeforeobeyingmethetwoItaliansconsultedeachotherbyasubtleglance；thenLorenzoRuggierosaidI
mightbeassuredthatnotorturecouldwringtheirsecretsfromthem；
thatinspiteoftheirapparentfeeblenessneitherpainnorhumanfeelingshadanypowerofthem；confidencealonecouldmaketheirmouthsaywhattheirmindcontained。Imustnot，hesaid，besurprisediftheytreatedasequalswithakingwhorecognizedGodonlyasabovehim，fortheirthoughtscamefromGodalone。Theythereforeclaimedfrommeasmuchconfidenceandtrustastheyshouldgivetome。Butbeforeengagingthemselvestoanswermewithoutreservetheymustrequestmetoputmylefthandintothatoftheyounggirllyingthere，andmyrightintothatoftheoldwoman。NotwishingthemtothinkIwasafraidoftheirsorcery，Iheldoutmyhands；Lorenzotooktheright，Cosmotheleft，andeachplacedahandinthatofeachwoman，sothatIwaslikeJesusChristbetweenthetwothieves。DuringthetimethatthetwowitcheswereexaminingmyhandsCosmoheldamirrorbeforemeandaskedmetolookintoit；hisbrother，meanwhile，wastalkingwiththetwowomeninalanguageunknowntome。NeitherTavannesnorIcouldcatchthemeaningofasinglesentence。Beforebringingthemenhereweputsealsonalltheoutletsofthelaboratory，whichTavannesundertooktoguarduntilsuchtimeas，bymyexpressorders，BernardPalissy，andChapelain，myphysician，couldbebroughttheretoexaminethoroughlythedrugstheplacecontainedandwhichwereevidentlymadethere。InordertokeeptheRuggieriignorantofthissearch，andtopreventthemfromcommunicatingwithasinglesouloutside，IputthetwodevilsinyourlowerroomsinchargeofSolern’sGermans，whoarebetterthanthewallsofajail。
Rene，theperfumer，iskeptunderguardinhisownhousebySolern’sequerry，andsoarethetwowitches。Now，mysweetest，inasmuchasI
holdthekeysofthewholecabal，——thekingsofThune，thechiefsofsorcery，thegypsyfortune-tellers，themastersofthefuture，theheirsofallpastsoothsayers，——Iintendbytheirmeanstoread/you/，toknowyourheart；and，together，wewillfindoutwhatistohappentous。””Ishallbegladiftheycanlaymyheartbarebeforeyou，”saidMarie，withouttheslightestfear。”Iknowwhysorcerersdon’tfrightenyou，——becauseyouareawitchyourself。””Willyouhaveapeach？”shesaid，offeringhimsomedeliciousfruitonagoldplate。”Seethesegrapes，thesepears；IwenttoVincennesmyselfandgatheredthemforyou。””Yes，I’lleatthem；thereisnopoisonthereexceptaphilterfromyourhands。””Yououghttoeatagreatdealoffruit，Charles；itwouldcoolyourblood，whichyouheatbysuchexcitements。””MustIloveyouless？””Perhapsso，”shesaid。”Ifthethingsyouloveinjureyou——andIhavefearedit——Ishallfindstrengthinmyhearttorefusethem。IadoreCharlesmorethanIlovetheking；Iwantthemantolive，releasedfromthetorturesthatmakehimgrieve。””Royaltyhasruinedme。””Yes，”shereplied。”Ifyouwereonlyapoorprince，likeyourbrother-in-lawofNavarre，withoutapenny，possessingonlyamiserablelittlekingdominSpainwhereheneversetshisfoot，andBearninFrancewhichdoesn’tgivehimrevenueenoughtofeedhim，I
shouldbehappy，muchhappierthanifIwerereallyQueenofFrance。””ButyouaremorethantheQueenofFrance。ShehasKingCharlesforthesakeofthekingdomonly；royalmarriagesareonlypolitics。”
Mariesmiledandmadeaprettylittlegrimaceasshesaid:”Yes，yes，Iknowthat，sire。Andmysonnet，haveyouwrittenit？””Dearest，versesareasdifficulttowriteastreatiesofpeace；butyoushallhavethemsoon。Ah，me！lifeissoeasyhere，IwishImightneverleaveyou。However，wemustsendforthoseItaliansandquestionthem。/Tete-Dieu/！IthoughtoneRuggierointhekingdomwasonetoomany，butitseemstherearetwo。Nowlisten，myprecious；youdon’tlacksense，youwouldmakeanexcellentlieutenantofpolice，foryoucanpenetratethings——””But，sire，wewomensupposeallwefear，andweturnwhatisprobableintotruths；thatisthewholeofourartinanutshell。””Well，helpmetosoundthesemen。Justnowallmyplansdependontheresultoftheirexamination。Aretheyinnocent？Aretheyguilty？Mymotherisbehindthem。””IhearJacob’svoiceinthenextroom，”saidMarie。
Jacobwasthefavoritevaletoftheking，andtheonewhoaccompaniedhimonallhisprivateexcursions。Henowcametoaskifitwastheking’sgoodpleasuretospeaktothetwoprisoners。Thekingmadeasignintheaffirmative，andthemistressofthehousegaveherorders。”Jacob，”shesaid，”clearthehouseofeverybody，exceptthenurseandMonsieurleDauphind’Auvergne，whomayremain。Asforyou，stayinthelowerhall；butfirst，closethewindows，drawthecurtainsofthesalon，andlightthecandles。”
Theking’simpatiencewassogreatthatwhilethesepreparationswerebeingmadehesatdownuponaraisedseatatthecornerofaloftyfireplaceofwhitemarbleinwhichabrightfirewasblazing，placinghisprettymistressbyhisside。Hisportrait，framedinvelvet，wasoverthemantleinplaceofamirror。CharlesIX。restedhiselbowonthearmoftheseatasiftowatchthetwoFlorentinesthebetterundercoverofhishand。
Theshuttersclosed，andthecurtainsdrawn，Jacoblightedthewaxtapersinatallcandelabrumofchiselledsilver，whichheplacedonthetablewheretheFlorentinesweretostand，——anobject，bythebye，whichtheywouldreadilyrecognizeastheworkoftheircompatriot，BenvenutoCellini。Therichnessoftheroom，decoratedinthetasteofCharlesIX。，nowshoneforth。Thered-brownofthetapestriesshowedtobetteradvantagethanbydaylight。Thevariousarticlesoffurniture，delicatelymadeorcarved，reflectedintheirebonypanelstheglowofthefireandthesparkleofthelights。Gilding，soberlyapplied，shonehereandtherelikeeyes，brighteningthebrowncolorwhichprevailedinthisnestoflove。
Jacobpresentlygavetwoknocks，and，receivingpermission，usheredintheItalians。MarieTouchetwasinstantlyaffectedbythegrandeurofLorenzo’spresence，whichstruckallthosewhomethim，greatandsmallalike。Thesilverywhitenessoftheoldman’sbeardwasheightenedbyarobeofblackvelvet；hisbrowwaslikeamarbledome。
Hisaustereface，illuminedbytwoblackeyeswhichcastapointedflame，conveyedanimpressionofgeniusissuingfromsolitude，andallthemoreeffectivebecauseitspowerhadnotbeendulledbycontactwithmen。Itwaslikethesteelofabladethathadneverbeenfleshed。
AsforCosmoRuggiero，heworethedressofacourtierofthetime。
Mariemadeasigntothekingtoassurehimthathehadnotexaggeratedhisdescription，andtothankhimforhavingshownhertheseextraordinarymen。”Iwouldliketohaveseenthesorceresses，too，”shewhisperedinhisear。
V
THEALCHEMISTS
Againabsorbedinthought，CharlesIX。madehernoanswer；hewasidlyflickingcrumbsofbreadfromhisdoubletandbreeches。”Yoursciencecannotchangetheheavensormakethesuntoshine，messieurs，”hesaidatlast，pointingtothecurtainswhichthegrayatmosphereofParisdarkened。”Oursciencecanmaketheskieswhatwelike，sire，”repliedLorenzoRuggiero。”Theweatherisalwaysfineforthosewhoworkinalaboratorybythelightofafurnace。””Thatistrue，”saidtheking。”Well，father，”headded，usinganexpressionfamiliartohimwhenaddressingoldmen，”explaintousclearlytheobjectofyourstudies。””Whatwillguaranteeoursafety？””Thewordofaking，”repliedCharlesIX。，whosecuriositywaskeenlyexcitedbythequestion。
LorenzoRuggieroseemedtohesitate，andCharlesIX。criedout:”Whathindersyou？Weareherealone。””ButistheKingofFrancehere？”askedLorenzo。
Charlesreflectedaninstant，andthenanswered，”No。”
Theimposingoldmanthentookachair，andseatedhimself。Cosmo，astonishedatthisboldness，darednotimitateit。
CharlesIX。remarked，withcuttingsarcasm:”Thekingisnothere，monsieur，butaladyis，whosepermissionitwasyourdutytoawait。””Hewhomyouseebeforeyou，madame，”saidtheoldman，”isasfarabovekingsaskingsareabovetheirsubjects；youwillthinkmecourteouswhenyouknowmypowers。”
Hearingtheseaudaciouswords，withItalianemphasis，CharlesandMarielookedateachother，andalsoatCosmo，who，withhiseyesfixedonhisbrother，seemedtobeaskinghimself:”Howdoesheintendtogetusoutofthedangerinwhichweare？”
Infact，therewasbutonepersonpresentwhocouldunderstandtheboldnessandtheartofLorenzoRuggiero’sfirststep；andthatpersonwasneitherthekingnorhisyoungmistress，onwhomthatgreatseerhadalreadyflungthespellofhisaudacity，——itwasCosmoRuggiero，hiswilybrother。Thoughsuperiorhimselftotheablestmenatcourt，perhapseventoCatherinede’Mediciherself，theastrologeralwaysrecognizedhisbrotherLorenzoashismaster。
Buriedinstudioussolitude，theoldsavantweighedandestimatedsovereigns，mostofwhomwerewornoutbytheperpetualturmoilofpolitics，thecrisesofwhichatthisperiodcamesosuddenlyandweresokeen，sointense，sounexpected。Heknewtheirennui，theirlassitude，theirdisgustwiththingsaboutthem；heknewtheardorwithwhichtheysoughtwhatseemedtothemneworstrangeorfantastic；aboveall，howtheylovedtoentersomeunknownintellectualregiontoescapetheirendlessstrugglewithmenandevents。Tothosewhohaveexhaustedstatecraft，nothingremainsbuttherealmofpurethought。CharlestheFifthprovedthisbyhisabdication。CharlesIX。，whowrotesonnetsandforgedbladestoescapetheexhaustingcaresofanageinwhichboththroneandkingwerethreatened，towhomroyaltyhadbroughtonlycaresandneverpleasures，waslikelytoberousedtoahighpitchofinterestbythebolddenialofhispowerthusutteredbyLorenzo。ReligiousdoubtwasnotsurprisinginanagewhenCatholicismwassoviolentlyarraigned；
buttheupsettingofallreligion，givenasthebasisofastrange，mysteriousart，wouldsurelystriketheking’smind，anddragitfromitspresentpreoccupations。Theessentialthingforthetwobrotherswastomakethekingforgethissuspicionsbyturninghismindtonewideas。
TheRuggieriwerewellawarethattheirstakeinthisgamewastheirownlife，andtheglances，sohumble，andyetsoproud，whichtheyexchangedwiththesearching，suspiciouseyesofMarieandtheking，wereasceneinthemselves。”Sire，”saidLorenzoRuggiero，”youhaveaskedmeforthetruth；but，toshowthetruthinallhernakedness，Imustalsoshowyouandmakeyousoundthedepthsofthewellfromwhichshecomes。IappealtothegentlemanandthepoettopardonwordswhichtheeldestsonoftheChurchmighttakeforblasphemy，——IbelievethatGoddoesnotconcernhimselfwithhumanaffairs。”
Thoughdeterminedtomaintainakinglycomposure，CharlesIX。couldnotrepressamotionofsurprise。”WithoutthatconvictionIshouldhavenofaithwhateverinthemiraculousworktowhichmylifeisdevoted。TodothatworkImusthavethisbelief；andifthefingerofGodguidesallthings，then——I
amamadman。Therefore，letthekingunderstand，onceforall，thatthisworkmeansavictorytobewonoverthepresentcourseofNature。
Iamanalchemist，sire。Butdonotthink，asthecommon-mindeddo，thatIseektomakegold。Themakingofgoldisnottheobjectbutanincidentofourresearches；otherwiseourtoilcouldnotbecalledtheGREATWORK。TheGreatWorkissomethingfarloftierthanthat。If，therefore，IwereforcedtoadmitthepresenceofGodinmatter，myvoicemustlogicallycommandtheextinctionoffurnaceskeptburningthroughouttheages。ButtodenythedirectactionofGodintheworldisnottodenyGod；donotmakethatmistake。WeplacetheCreatorofallthingsfarhigherthanthespheretowhichreligionshavedegradedHim。Donotaccuseofatheismthosewholookforimmortality。LikeLucifer，wearejealousofourGod；andjealousymeanslove。ThoughthedoctrineofwhichIspeakisthebasisofourwork，allourdisciplesarenotimbuedwithit。Cosmo，”saidtheoldman，pointingtohisbrother，”Cosmoisdevout；hepaysformassesforthereposeofourfather’ssoul，andhegoestohearthem。Yourmother’sastrologerbelievesinthedivinityofChrist，intheImmaculateConception，inTransubstantiation；hebelievesalsointhePope’sindulgencesandinhell，andinamultitudeofsuchthings。Hishourhasnotyetcome。I
havedrawnhishoroscope；hewilllivetobealmostacentenarian；hewilllivethroughtwomorereigns，andhewillseetwokingsofFranceassassinated。””Whoarethey？”askedtheking。”ThelastoftheValoisandthefirstoftheBourbons，”repliedLorenzo。”ButCosmosharesmyopinion。ItisimpossibletobeanalchemistandaCatholic，tohavefaithinthedespotismofmanovermatter，andalsointhesovereigntyofthedivine。””Cosmotodieacentenarian！”exclaimedtheking，withhisterriblefrownoftheeyebrows。”Yes，sire，”repliedLorenzo，withauthority；”andhewilldiepeaceablyinhisbed。””Ifyouhavepowertoforeseethemomentofyourdeath，whyareyouignorantoftheoutcomeofyourresearches？”askedtheking。
CharlesIX。smiledashesaidthis，lookingtriumphantlyatMarieTouchet。Thebrothersexchangedarapidglanceofsatisfaction。”Hebeginstobeinterested，”thoughtthey。”Wearesaved！””OurprognosticsdependontheimmediaterelationswhichexistatthetimebetweenmanandNature；butourpurposeitselfistochangethoserelationsentirely，”repliedLorenzo。
Thekingwasthoughtful。”But，ifyouarecertainofdyingyouarecertainofdefeat，”hesaid，atlast。”Likeourpredecessors，”repliedLorenzo，raisinghishandandlettingitfallagainwithanemphaticandsolemngesture，whichpresentedvisiblythegrandeurofhisthought。”Butyourmindhasboundedtotheconfinesofthematter，sire；wemustreturnuponoursteps。Ifyoudonotknowthegroundonwhichouredificeisbuilt，youmaywellthinkitdoomedtocrumblewithourlives，andsojudgetheSciencecultivatedfromcenturytocenturybythegreatestamongmen，asthecommonherdjudgeofit。”
Thekingmadeasignofassent。”Ithink，”continuedLorenzo，”thatthisearthbelongstoman；heisthemasterofit，andhecanappropriatetohisuseallforcesandallsubstances。ManisnotacreationissuingdirectlyfromthehandofGod；butthedevelopmentofaprinciplesownbroadcastintotheinfiniteofether，fromwhichmillionsofcreaturesareproduced，——
differingbeingsindifferentworlds，becausetheconditionssurroundinglifearevaried。Yes，sire，thesubtleelementwhichwecall/life/takesitsrisebeyondthevisibleworlds；creationdividesthatprincipleaccordingtothecentresintowhichitflows；andallbeings，eventhelowest，shareit，takingsomuchastheycantakeofitattheirownriskandperil。Itisforthemtoprotectthemselvesfromdeath，——thewholepurposeofalchemyliesthere，sire。Ifman，themostperfectanimalonthisglobe，borewithinhimselfaportionofthedivine，hewouldnotdie；buthedoesdie。Tosolvethisdifficulty，SocratesandhisschoolinventedtheSoul。I，thesuccessorofsomanygreatandunknownkings，therulersofthisscience，Istandfortheancienttheories，notthenew。IbelieveinthetransformationsofmatterwhichIsee，andnotinthepossibleeternityofasoulwhichIdonotsee。Idonotrecognizethatworldofthesoul。Ifsuchaworldexisted，thesubstanceswhosemagnificentconjunctionproducedyourbody，andaresodazzlinginthatofMadame，wouldnotresolvethemselvesafteryourdeatheachintoitsownelement，watertowater，firetofire，metaltometal，justastheelementsofmycoal，whenburned，returntotheirprimitivemolecules。
Ifyoubelievethatacertainpartofussurvives，/we/donotsurvive；forallthatmakesouractualbeingperishes。Now，itisthisactualbeingthatIamstrivingtocontinuebeyondthelimitassignedtolife；itisourpresenttransformationtowhichIwishtogiveagreaterduration。Why！thetreesliveforcenturies，butmanlivesonlyyears，thoughtheformerarepassive，theothersactive；thefirstmotionlessandspeechless，theothersgiftedwithlanguageandmotion。Nocreatedthingshouldbesuperiorinthisworldtoman，eitherinpowerorinduration。Alreadywearewideningourperceptions，forwelookintothestars；thereforeweoughttobeabletolengthenthedurationofourlives。Iplacelifebeforepower。Whatgoodispoweriflifeescapesus？Awisemanshouldhavenootherpurposethantoseek，notwhetherhehassomeotherlifewithinhim，butthesecretspringsofhisactualform，inorderthathemayprolongitsexistenceathiswill。Thatisthedesirewhichhaswhitenedmyhair；butIwalkboldlyinthedarkness，marshallingtothesearchallthosegreatintellectsthatsharemyfaith。Lifewillsomedaybeours，——ourstocontrol。””Ah！buthow？”criedtheking，risinghastily。”Thefirstconditionofourfaithbeingthattheearthbelongstoman，youmustgrantmethatpoint，”saidLorenzo。”Sobeit！”saidCharlesdeValois，alreadyunderthespell。”Then，sire，ifwetakeGodoutofthisworld，whatremains？Man。Letusthereforeexamineourdomain。Thematerialworldiscomposedofelements；theseelementsarethemselvesprinciples；theseprinciplesresolvethemselvesintoanultimateprinciple，endowedwithmotion。
ThenumberTHREEistheformulaofcreation:Matter，Motion，Product。””Stop！”criedtheking，”whatproofisthereofthis？””Doyounotseetheeffects？”repliedLorenzo。”Wehavetriedinourcruciblestheacornwhichproducestheoak，andtheembryofromwhichgrowsaman；fromthistinysubstanceresultsasingleprinciple，towhichsomeforce，somemovementmustbegiven。Sincethereisnooverrulingcreator，thisprinciplemustgivetoitselftheoutwardformswhichconstituteourworld——forthisphenomenonoflifeisthesameeverywhere。Yes，formetalsasforhumanbeings，forplantsasformen，lifebeginsinanimperceptibleembryowhichdevelopsitself。
Aprimitiveprincipleexists；letusseizeitatthepointwhereitbeginstoactuponitself，whereitisaunit，whereitisaprinciplebeforetakingdefiniteform，acausebeforebeinganeffect；wemustseeitsingle，withoutform，susceptibleofclothingitselfwithalltheoutwardformsweshallseeittake。Whenwearefacetofacewiththisatomicparticle，whenweshallhavecaughtitsmovementattheveryinstantofmotion，/then/weshallknowthelaw；thenceforthwearethemastersoflife，masterswhocanimposeuponthatprincipletheformwechoose，——withgoldtowintheworld，andthepowertomakeforourselvescenturiesoflifeinwhichtoenjoyit！ThatiswhatmypeopleandIareseeking。Allourstrength，allourthoughtsarestrainedinthatdirection；nothingdistractsusfromit。Onehourwastedonanyotherpassionisatheftcommittedagainstourtruegrandeur。Justasyouhaveneverfoundyourhoundsrelinquishingthehuntedanimalorfailingtobeinatthedeath，soIhaveneverseenoneofmypatientdisciplesdivertedfromthisgreatquestbytheloveofwomanoraselfishthought。Ifanadeptseekspowerandwealth，thedesireisinstigatedbyourneeds；hegraspstreasureasathirstydoglapswaterwhileheswimsastream，becausehiscruciblesareinneedofadiamondtomeltoraningotofgoldtoreducetopowder。Toeachhisownwork。Oneseeksthesecretofvegetablenature；hewatchestheslowlifeofplants；henotestheparityofmotionamongallthespecies，andtheparityoftheirnutrition；hefindseverywheretheneedofsunandairandwater，tofecundateandnourishthem。Anotherscrutinizesthebloodofanimals。Athirdstudiesthelawsofuniversalmotionanditsconnectionwithcelestialrevolutions。Nearlyallareeagertostrugglewiththeintractablenatureofmetal，forwhilewefindmanyprinciplesinotherthings，wefindallmetalslikeuntothemselvesineveryparticular。Henceacommonerrorastoourwork。Beholdthesepatient，indefatigableathletes，evervanquished，yeteverreturningtothecombat！Humanity，sire，isbehindus，asthehuntsmanisbehindyourhounds。Shecriestous:’Makehaste！neglectnothing！sacrificeall，evenaman，yewhosacrificeyourselves！
Hasten！hasten！BeatdownthearmsofDEATH，mineenemy！’Yes，sire，weareinspiredbyahopewhichinvolvesthehappinessofallcominggenerations。Wehaveburiedmanymen——andwhatmen！——dyingofthisSearch。Settingfootinthiscareerwecannotworkforourselves；wemaydiewithoutdiscoveringtheSecret；andourdeathisthatofthosewhodonotbelieveinanotherlife；itisthislifethatwehavesought，andfailedtoperpetuate。Wearegloriousmartyrs；wehavethewelfareoftheraceatheart；wehavefailedbutweliveagaininoursuccessors。Aswegothroughthisexistencewediscoversecretswithwhichweendowtheliberalandthemechanicalarts。Fromourfurnacesgleamlightswhichillumineindustrialenterprises，andperfectthem。
Gunpowderissuedfromouralembics；nay，wehavemasteredthelightning。Inourpersistentvigilsliepoliticalrevolutions。””Canthisbetrue？”criedtheking，springingoncemorefromhischair。”Whynot？”saidthegrand-masterofthenewTemplars。”/Tradiditmundumdisputationibus/！Godhasgivenustheearth。Hearthisoncemore:manismasterherebelow；matterishis；allforces，allmeansareathisdisposal。Whocreatedus？Motion。Whatpowermaintainslifeinus？Motion。Whycannotscienceseizethesecretofthatmotion？
Nothingislostherebelow；nothingescapesfromourplanettogoelsewhere，——otherwisethestarswouldstumbleovereachother；thewatersofthedelugearestillwithusintheirprinciple，andnotadropislost。Aroundus，aboveus，beneathus，aretobefoundtheelementsfromwhichhavecomeinnumerablehostsofmenwhohavecrowdedtheearthbeforeandsincethedeluge。Whatisthesecretofourstruggle？Todiscovertheforcethatdisunites，andthen，/then/
weshalldiscoverthatwhichbinds。Wearetheproductofavisiblemanufacture。Whenthewaterscoveredtheglobemenissuedfromthemwhofoundtheelementsoftheirlifeinthecrustoftheearth，intheair，andinthenourishmentderivedfromthem。Earthandairpossess，therefore，theprincipleofhumantransformations；thosetransformationstakeplaceunderoureyes，bymeansofthatwhichisalsounderoureyes。Weareable，therefore，todiscoverthatsecret，——notlimitingtheeffortofthesearchtoonemanortooneage，butdevotinghumanityinitsdurationtoit。Weareengaged，handtohand，inastrugglewithMatter，intowhosesecret，I，thegrand-masterofourorder，seektopenetrate。ChristopheColumbusgaveaworldtotheKingofSpain；Iseekanever-livingpeoplefortheKingofFrance。
