VIII
MARTYRDOM
Thecardinalwentstraighttothequeen-mother。”Iholdthethreadsoftheconspiracyoftheheretics，”saidCatherine。”Theyhavesentmethistreatyandthesedocumentsbythehandsofthatchild，”sheadded。
DuringthetimethatCatherinewasexplainingmatterstothecardinal，QueenMarywhisperedafewwordstothegrand-master。”Whatisallthisabout？”askedtheyoungking，whowasleftaloneinthemidstoftheviolentclashofinterests。”TheproofsofwhatIwastellingtoyourMajestyhavenotbeenlonginreachingus，”saidthecardinal，whohadgraspedthepapers。
TheDucdeGuisedrewhisbrotherasidewithoutcaringthatheinterruptedhim，andsaidinhisear，”Thismakesmelieutenant-
generalwithoutopposition。”
Ashrewdglancewasthecardinal’sonlyanswer；showinghisbrotherthathefullyunderstoodtheadvantagestobegainedfromCatherine’sfalseposition。”Whosentyouhere？”saidtheduketoChristophe。”Chaudieu，theminister，”hereplied。”Youngman，youlie！”saidthesoldier，sharply；”itwasthePrincedeConde。””ThePrincedeConde，monseigneur！”repliedChristophe，withapuzzledlook。”Inevermethim。IamstudyinglawwithMonsieurdeThou；Iamhissecretary，andhedoesnotknowthatIbelongtotheReformedreligion。Iyieldedonlytotheentreatiesoftheminister。””Enough！”exclaimedthecardinal。”CallMonsieurdeRobertet，”hesaidtoLewiston，”forthisyoungscampisslyerthananoldstatesman；hehasmanagedtodeceivemybrother，andmetoo；anhouragoIwouldhavegivenhimthesacramentwithoutconfession。””Youarenotachild，/morbleu/！”criedtheduke，”andwe’lltreatyouasaman。””Thehereticshaveattemptedtobeguileyouraugustmother，”saidthecardinal，addressingtheking，andtryingtodrawhimaparttowinhimovertotheirends。”Alas！”saidthequeen-mothertoherson，assumingareproachfullookandstoppingthekingatthemomentwhenthecardinalwasleadinghimintotheoratorytosubjecthimtohisdangerouseloquence，”youseetheresultofthesituationinwhichIam；theythinkmeirritatedbythelittleinfluencethatIhaveinpublicaffairs，——I，themotheroffourprincesofthehouseofValois！”
Theyoungkinglistenedattentively。MaryStuart，seeingthefrownuponhisbrow，tookhisarmandledhimawayintotherecessofthewindow，whereshecajoledhimwithsweetspeechesinalowvoice，nodoubtlikethoseshehadusedthatmorningintheirchamber。ThetwoGuisesreadthedocumentsgivenuptothembyCatherine。Findingthattheycontainedinformationwhichtheirspies，andMonsieurBraguelonne，thelieutenantoftheChatelet，hadnotobtained，theywereinclinedtobelieveinthesincerityofCatherinede’Medici。
RobertetcameandreceivedcertainsecretordersrelativetoChristophe。TheyouthfulinstrumentoftheleadersoftheReformationwasthenledawaybyfoursoldiersoftheScottishguard，whotookhimdownthestairsanddeliveredhimtoMonsieurdeMontresor，provostofthechateau。Thatterriblepersonagehimself，accompaniedbysixofhismen，conductedChristophetotheprisoninthevaultedcellarofthetower，nowinruins，whichtheconciergeofthechateaudeBloisshowsyouwiththeinformationthatthesewerethedungeons。
AftersuchaneventtheCouncilcouldbeonlyaformality。Theking，theyoungqueen，theGrand-master，andthecardinalreturnedtoit，takingwiththemthevanquishedCatherine，whosaidnowordexcepttoapprovethemeasuresproposedbytheGuises。InspiteofaslightoppositionfromtheChancelierOliviertheonlypersonpresentwhosaidonewordthatexpressedtheindependencetowhichhisofficeboundhim，theDucdeGuisewasappointedlieutenant-generalofthekingdom。Robertetbroughttherequireddocuments，showingadevotionwhichmightbecalledcollusion。Theking，givinghisarmtohismother，recrossedthe/salledesgardes/，announcingtothecourtashepassedalongthatonthefollowingdayheshouldleaveBloisforthechateauofAmboise。ThelatterresidencehadbeenabandonedsincethetimewhenCharlesVIII。accidentallykilledhimselfbystrikinghisheadagainstthecasingofadooronwhichhehadorderedcarvings，supposingthathecouldenterwithoutstoopingbelowthescaffolding。Catherine，tomasktheplansoftheGuises，remarkedaloudthattheyintendedtocompletethechateauofAmboisefortheCrownatthesametimethatherownchateauofChemonceauxwasfinished。Butnoonewasthedupeofthatpretext，andallpresentawaitedgreatevents。
Afterspendingabouttwohoursendeavoringtoseewherehewasintheobscurityofthedungeon，Christopheendedbydiscoveringthattheplacewassheathedinroughwoodwork，thickenoughtomakethesquareholeintowhichhewasputbothhealthyandhabitable。Thedoor，likethatofapig-pen，wassolowthathestoopedalmostdoubleonenteringit。Besidethisdoorwasaheavyirongrating，openinguponasortofcorridor，whichgavealittlelightandalittleair。Thisarrangement，inallrespectslikethatofthedungeonsofVenice，showedplainlythatthearchitectureofthechateauofBloisbelongedtotheVenetianschool，whichduringtheMiddleAges，sentsomanybuildersintoallpartsofEurope。BytappingthisspeciesofpitabovethewoodworkChristophediscoveredthatthewallswhichseparatedhiscelltorightandleftfromtheadjoiningonesweremadeofbrick。Strikingoneofthemtogetanideaofitsthickness，hewassomewhatsurprisedtohearreturnblowsgivenontheotherside。”Whoareyou？”saidhisneighbor，speakingtohimthroughthecorridor。”IamChristopheLecamus。””I，”repliedthevoice，”amCaptainChaudieu，brotheroftheminister。
Iwastakenprisonerto-nightatBeaugency；but，luckily，thereisnothingagainstme。””Allisdiscovered，”saidChristophe；”youarefortunatetobesavedfromthefray。””WehavethreethousandmenatthismomentintheforestsoftheVendomois，alldeterminedmen，whomeantoabductthekingandthequeen-motherduringtheirjourney。HappilyLaRenaudiewasclevererthanI；hemanagedtoescape。YouhadonlyjustleftuswhentheGuisemensurprisedus——””ButIdon’tknowLaRenaudie。””Pooh！mybrotherhastoldmeallaboutit，”saidthecaptain。
Hearingthat，Christophesatdownuponhisbenchandmadenofurtheranswertothepretendedcaptain，forheknewenoughofthepolicetobeawarehownecessaryitwastoactwithprudenceinaprison。Inthemiddleofthenighthesawthepalelightofalanterninthecorridor，afterhearingtheponderouslocksoftheirondoorwhichclosedthecellargroanastheywereturned。TheprovosthimselfhadcometofetchChristophe。Thisattentiontoaprisonerwhohadbeenleftinhisdarkdungeonforhourswithoutfood，struckthepoorladassingular。Oneoftheprovost’smenboundhishandswitharopeandheldhimbytheendofituntiltheyreachedoneofthelowerhallsofthechateauofLouisXII。，whichwasevidentlytheantechambertotheapartmentsofsomeimportantpersonage。Theprovostandhismenbadehimsituponabench，andthemanthenboundhisfeetashehadbeforeboundhishands。OnasignfromMonsieurdeMontresorthemanlefttheroom。”Nowlistentome，myfriend，”saidtheprovost-marshal，toyingwiththecollaroftheOrder；for，lateasthehourwas，hewasinfulluniform。
Thislittlecircumstancegavetheyoungmanseveralthoughts；hesawthatallwasnotover；onthecontrary，itwasevidentlyneithertohangnoryettocondemnhimthathewasbroughthere。”Myfriend，youmayspareyourselfcrueltorturebytellingmeallyouknowoftheunderstandingbetweenMonsieurlePrincedeCondeandQueenCatherine。Notonlywillnoharmbedonetoyou，butyoushallentertheserviceofMonseigneurthelieutenant-generalofthekingdom，wholikesintelligentmenandonwhomyourhonestfacehasproducedagoodimpression。Thequeen-motherisabouttobesentbacktoFlorence，andMonsieurdeCondewillnodoubtbebroughttotrial。
Therefore，believeme，humblefolksoughttoattachthemselvestothegreatmenwhoareinpower。Tellmeall；andyouwillfindyourprofitinit。””Alas，monsieur，”repliedChristophe；”Ihavenothingtotell。ItoldallIknowtoMessieursdeGuiseinthequeen’schamber。Chaudieupersuadedmetoputthosepapersundertheeyesofthequeen-mother；
assuringmethattheyconcernedthepeaceofthekingdom。””YouhaveneverseenthePrincedeConde？””Never。”
ThereuponMonsieurdeMontresorleftChristopheandwentintotheadjoiningroom；buttheyouthwasnotleftlongalone。Thedoorthroughwhichhehadbeenbroughtopenedandgaveentrancetoseveralmen，whodidnotcloseit。Soundsthatwerefarfromreassuringwereheardfromthecourtyard；menwerebringingwoodandmachinery，evidentlyintendedforthepunishmentoftheReformer’smessenger。
Christophe’sanxietysoonhadmatterforreflectioninthepreparationswhichweremadeinthehallbeforehiseyes。
Twocoarseandill-dressedserving-menobeyedtheordersofastout，squat，vigorousman，whocastuponChristophe，asheentered，theglanceofacannibaluponhisvictim；helookedhimoverand/estimated/him，——measuring，likeaconnoisseur，thestrengthofhisnerves，theirpowerandtheirendurance。ThemanwastheexecutionerofBlois。Comingandgoing，hisassistantsbroughtinamattress，severalmalletsandwoodenwedges，alsoplanksandotherarticles，theuseofwhichwasnotplain，northeirlookcomfortingtothepoorboyconcernedinthesepreparations，whosebloodnowcurdledinhisveinsfromavaguebutmostterribleapprehension。TwopersonagesenteredthehallatthemomentwhenMonsieurdeMontresorreappeared。”Hey，nothingready！”criedtheprovost-marshal，towhomthenew-
comersbowedwithgreatrespect。”Don’tyouknow，”hesaid，addressingthestoutmanandhistwoassistants，”thatMonseigneurthecardinalthinksyoualreadyatwork？Doctor，”addedtheprovost，turningtooneofthenew-comers，”thisistheman”；andhepointedtoChristophe。
Thedoctorwentstraighttotheprisoner，unboundhishands，andstruckhimonthebreastandback。Sciencenowcontinued，inaseriousmanner，thetruculentexaminationoftheexecutioner’seye。DuringthistimeaservantintheliveryofthehouseofGuisebroughtinseveralarm-chairs，atable，andwriting-materials。”Beginthe/procesverbal/，”saidMonsieurdeMontresor，motioningtothetablethesecondpersonage，whowasdressedinblack，andwasevidentlyaclerk。ThentheprovostwentuptoChristophe，andsaidtohiminaverygentleway:”Myfriend，thechancellor，havinglearnedthatyourefusetoanswermeinasatisfactorymanner，decreesthatyoubeputtothequestion，ordinaryandextraordinary。””Isheingoodhealth，andcanhebearit？”saidtheclerktothedoctor。”Yes，”repliedthelatter，whowasoneofthephysiciansofthehouseofLorraine。”Inthatcase，retiretothenextroom；wewillsendforyouwheneverwerequireyouradvice。”
Thephysicianleftthehall。
Hisfirstterrorhavingpassed，Christopheralliedhiscourage；thehourofhismartyrdomhadcome。Thenceforthhelookedwithcoldcuriosityatthearrangementsthatweremadebytheexecutionerandhismen。Afterhastilypreparingabed，thetwoassistantsgotreadycertainappliancescalled/boots/；whichconsistedofseveralplanks，betweenwhicheachlegofthevictimwasplaced。Thelegsthusplacedwerebroughtclosetogether。Theapparatususedbybinderstopresstheirvolumesbetweentwoboards，whichtheyfastenbycords，willgiveanexactideaofthemannerinwhicheachlegoftheprisonerwasbound。Wecanimaginetheeffectproducedbytheinsertionofwoodenwedges，driveninbyhammersbetweentheplanksofthetwoboundlegs，——thetwosetsofplanksofcoursenotyielding，beingthemselvesboundtogetherbyropes。Thesewedgesweredriveninonalinewiththekneesandtheankles。Thechoiceoftheseplaceswherethereislittleflesh，andwhere，consequently，thewedgecouldonlybeforcedinbycrushingthebones，madethisformoftorture，calledthe”question，”horriblypainful。Inthe”ordinaryquestion”fourwedgesweredrivenin，——twoattheknees，twoattheankles；butinthe”extraordinaryquestion”thenumberwasincreasedtoeight，providedthedoctorcertifiedthattheprisoner’svitalitywasnotexhausted。
Atthetimeofwhichwewritethe”boots”werealsoappliedinthesamemannertothehandsandwrists；but，beingpressedfortime，thecardinal，thelieutenant-general，andthechancellorsparedChristophethatadditionalsuffering。
The/procesverbal/wasbegun；theprovostdictatedafewsentencesashewalkedupanddownwithameditativeair，askingChristophehisname，baptismalname，age，andprofession；thenheinquiredthenameofthepersonfromwhomhehadreceivedthepapershehadgiventothequeen。”FromtheministerChaudieu，”answeredChristophe。”Wheredidhegivethemtoyou？””InParis。””Ingivingthemtoyouhemusthavetoldyouwhetherthequeen-motherwouldreceiveyouwithpleasure？””Hetoldmenothingofthatkind，”saidChristophe。”HemerelyaskedmetogivethemtoQueenCatherinesecretly。””YoumusthaveseenChaudieufrequently，orhewouldnothaveknownthatyouweregoingtoBlois。””TheministerdidnotknowfrommethatincarryingfurstothequeenIwasalsotoaskonmyfather’sbehalfforthemoneythequeen-motheroweshim；andIdidnothavetimetoasktheministerwhohadtoldhimofit。””Butthesepapers，whichweregiventoyouwithoutbeingsealedorenveloped，containedatreatybetweentherebelsandQueenCatherine。
Youmusthaveseenthattheyexposedyoutothepunishmentofallthosewhoassistinarebellion。””Yes。””Thepersonswhopersuadedyoutothisactofhightreasonmusthavepromisedyourewardsandtheprotectionofthequeen-mother。””IdiditoutofattachmenttoChaudieu，theonlypersonwhomIsawinthematter。””DoyoupersistinsayingyoudidnotseethePrincedeConde？””Yes。””ThePrincedeCondedidnottellyouthatthequeen-motherwasinclinedtoenterintohisviewsagainsttheMessieursdeGuise？””Ididnotseehim。””Takecare！oneofyouraccomplices，LaRenaudie，hasbeenarrested。
Strongasheis，hewasnotabletobearthe’question，’whichwillnowbeputtoyou；heconfessedatlastthatbothheandthePrincedeCondehadaninterviewwithyou。Ifyouwishtoescapethetortureofthequestion，Iexhortyoutotellmethesimpletruth。Perhapsyouwillthusobtainyourfullpardon。”
Christopheansweredthathecouldnotstateathingofwhichhehadnoknowledge，orgivehimselfaccompliceswhenhehadnone。Hearingthesewords，theprovost-marshalsignedtotheexecutionerandretiredhimselftotheinnerroom。AtthatfatalsignChristophe’sbrowscontracted，hisforeheadworkedwithnervousconvulsion，ashepreparedhimselftosuffer。Hishandsclosedwithsuchviolencethatthenailsenteredthefleshwithouthisfeelingthem。Threemenseizedhim，tookhimtothecampbedandlaidhimthere，lettinghislegshangdown。Whiletheexecutionerfastenedhimtotheroughbedsteadwithstrongcords，theassistantsboundhislegsintothe”boots。”
Presentlythecordsweretightened，bymeansofawrench，withoutthepressurecausingmuchpaintotheyoungReformer。Wheneachlegwasthusheldasitwereinavice，theexecutionergraspedhishammerandpickedupthewedges，lookingalternatelyatthevictimandattheclerk。”Doyoupersistinyourdenial？”askedtheclerk。”Ihavetoldthetruth，”repliedChristophe。”Verywell。Goon，”saidtheclerk，closinghiseyes。
Thecordsweretightenedwithgreatforce。Thiswasperhapsthemostpainfulmomentofthetorture；thefleshbeingsuddenlycompressed，thebloodrushedviolentlytowardthebreast。Thepoorboycouldnotrestrainadreadfulcryandseemedabouttofaint。Thedoctorwascalledin。AfterfeelingChristophe’spulse，hetoldtheexecutionertowaitaquarterofanhourbeforedrivingthefirstwedgein，tolettheactionofthebloodsubsideandallowthevictimtorecoverhisfullsensitiveness。Theclerksuggested，kindly，thatifhecouldnotbearthisbeginningofsufferingswhichhecouldnotescape，itwouldbebettertorevealallatonce；butChristophemadenoreplyexcepttosay，”Theking’stailor！theking’stailor！””Whatdoyoumeanbythosewords？”askedtheclerk。”SeeingwhattortureImustbear，”saidChristophe，slowly，hopingtogaintimetorest，”Icallupallmystrength，andtrytoincreaseitbythinkingofthemartyrdombornebytheking’stailorfortheholycauseoftheReformation，whenthequestionwasappliedtohiminpresenceofMadamelaDuchessedeValentinoisandtheking。Ishalltrytobeworthyofhim。”
Whilethephysicianexhortedtheunfortunateladnottoforcethemtohaverecoursetomoreviolentmeasures，thecardinalandtheduke，impatienttoknowtheresultoftheinterrogations，enteredthehallandthemselvesaskedChristophetospeakthetruth，immediately。Theyoungmanrepeatedtheonlyconfessionhehadallowedhimselftomake，whichimplicatednoonebutChaudieu。Theprincesmadeasign，onwhichtheexecutionerandhisassistantseizedtheirhammers，takingeachawedge，whichthentheydroveinbetweenthejoints，standingonetoright，theothertoleftoftheirvictim；theexecutioner’swedgewasdriveninattheknees，hisassistant’sattheankles。
TheeyesofallpresentfastenedonthoseofChristophe，andhe，nodoubtexcitedbythepresenceofthosegreatpersonages，shotforthsuchburningglancesthattheyappearedtohaveallthebrilliancyofflame。Asthethirdandfourthwedgesweredrivenin，adreadfulgroanescapedhim。Whenhesawtheexecutionertakeupthewedgesforthe”extraordinaryquestion”hesaidnowordandmadenosound，buthiseyestookonsoterribleafixity，andhecastuponthetwogreatprinceswhowerewatchinghimaglancesopenetrating，thatthedukeandcardinalwereforcedtodroptheireyes。PhilippeleBelmetwiththesameresistancewhenthetortureofthependulumwasappliedinhispresencetotheTemplars。Thatpunishmentconsistedinstrikingthevictimonthebreastwithonearmofthebalancepolewithwhichmoneyiscoined，itsendbeingcoveredwithapadofleather。Oneoftheknightsthustortured，lookedsointentlyatthekingthatPhilippecouldnotdetachhiseyesfromhim。Atthethirdblowthekingleftthechamberonhearingtheknightsummonhimtoappearwithinayearbeforethejudgment-seatofGod，——as，infact，hedid。
Atthefifthblow，thefirstofthe”extraordinaryquestion，”
Christophesaidtothecardinal:”Monseigneur，putanendtomytorture；itisuseless。”
Thecardinalandthedukere-enteredtheadjoininghall，andChristophedistinctlyheardthefollowingwordssaidbyQueenCatherine:”Goon；afterall，heisonlyaheretic。”
Shejudgeditprudenttobemoresterntoheraccomplicethantheexecutionersthemselves。
ThesixthandseventhwedgesweredriveninwithoutawordofcomplaintfromChristophe。Hisfaceshonewithextraordinarybrilliancy，due，nodoubt，totheexcessofstrengthwhichhisfanaticdevotiongavehim。Whereelsebutinthefeelingsofthesoulcanwefindthepowernecessarytobearsuchsufferings？Finally，hesmiledwhenhesawtheexecutionerliftingtheeighthandlastwedge。Thishorribletorturehadlastedbythistimeoveranhour。
Theclerknowwenttocallthephysicianthathemightdecidewhethertheeighthwedgecouldbedriveninwithoutendangeringthelifeofthevictim。DuringthisdelaythedukereturnedtolookatChristophe。”/Ventre-de-biche/！youareafinefellow，”hesaidtohim，bendingdowntowhisperthewords。”Ilovebravemen。Entermyservice，andyoushallberichandhappy；myfavorsshallhealthosewoundedlimbs。
Idonotproposetoyouanybaseness；Iwillnotaskyoutoreturntoyourpartyandbetrayitsplans，——therearealwaystraitorsenoughforthat，andtheproofisintheprisonsofBlois；tellmeonlyonwhattermsarethequeen-motherandthePrincedeConde？””Iknownothingaboutit，monseigneur，”repliedChristopheLecamus。
Thephysiciancame，examinedthevictim，andsaidthathecouldbeartheeighthwedge。”Theninsertit，”saidthecardinal。”Afterall，asthequeensays，heisonlyaheretic，”headded，lookingatChristophewithadreadfulsmile。
AtthismomentCatherinecamewithslowstepsfromtheadjoiningapartmentandstoodbeforeChristophe，coldlyobservinghim。Instantlyshewastheobjectoftheclosestattentiononthepartofthetwobrothers，whowatchedalternatelythequeenandheraccomplice。Onthissolemntestthewholefutureofthatambitiouswomandepended；
shefeltthekeenestadmirationforChristophe，yetshegazedsternlyathim；shehatedtheGuises，andshesmileduponthem！”Youngman，”saidthequeen，”confessthatyouhaveseenthePrincedeConde，andyouwillberichlyrewarded。””Ah！whatabusinessthisisforyou，madame！”criedChristophe，pityingher。
Thequeenquivered。”Heinsultsme！”sheexclaimed。”Whydoyounothanghim？”shecried，turningtothetwobrothers，whostoodthoughtful。”Whatawoman！”saidthedukeinaglanceathisbrother，consultinghimbyhiseye，andleadinghimtothewindow。”IshallstayinFranceandberevengeduponthem，”thoughtthequeen。”Come，makehimconfess，orlethimdie！”shesaidaloud，addressingMontresor。
Theprovost-marshalturnedawayhiseyes，theexecutionerswerebusywiththewedges；Catherinewasfreetocastoneglanceuponthemartyr，unseenbyothers，whichfellonChristophelikethedew。Theeyesofthegreatqueenseemedtohimmoist；twotearswereinthem，buttheydidnotfall。Thewedgesweredriven；aplankwasbrokenbytheblow。Christophegaveonedreadfulcry，afterwhichhewassilent；
hisfaceshone，——hebelievedhewasdying。”Lethimdie？”saidthecardinal，echoingthequeen’slastwordswithasortofirony；”no，no！don’tbreakthatthread，”hesaidtotheprovost。
Thedukeandthecardinalconsultedtogetherinalowvoice。”Whatistobedonewithhim？”askedtheexecutioner。”SendhimtotheprisonatOrleans，”saidtheduke，addressingMonsieurdeMontresor；”anddon’thanghimwithoutmyorder。”
TheextremesensitivenesstowhichChristophe’sinternalorganismhadbeenbrought，increasedbyaresistancewhichcalledintoplayeverypowerofthehumanbody，existedtothesamedegree，inhissenses。HealoneheardthefollowingwordswhisperedbytheDucdeGuiseintheearofhisbrotherthecardinal:”Idon’tgiveupallhopeofgettingthetruthoutofthatlittlefellowyet。”
Whentheprinceshadleftthehalltheexecutionersunboundthelegsoftheirvictimroughlyandwithoutcompassion。”Didanyoneeverseeacriminalwithsuchstrength？”saidthechiefexecutionertohisaids。”Therascalborethatlastwedgewhenheoughttohavedied；I’velostthepriceofhisbody。””Unbindmegently；don’tmakemesuffer，friends，”saidpoorChristophe。”SomedayIwillrewardyou——””Come，come，showsomehumanity，”saidthephysician。”Monseigneuresteemstheyoungman，andtoldmetolookafterhim。””IamgoingtoAmboisewithmyassistants，——takecareofhimyourself，”saidtheexecutioner，brutally。”Besides，herecomesthejailer。”
Theexecutionerdeparted，leavingChristopheinthehandsofthesoft-
spokendoctor，whobytheaidofChristophe’sfuturejailer，carriedthepoorboytoabed，broughthimsomebroth，helpedhimtoswallowit，satdownbesidehim，felthispulse，andtriedtocomforthim。”Youwon’tdieofthis，”hesaid。”Yououghttofeelgreatinwardcomfort，knowingthatyouhavedoneyourduty——Thequeen-motherbidsmetakecareofyou，”headdedinawhisper。”Thequeenisverygood，”saidChristophe，whoseterriblesufferingshaddevelopedanextraordinarylucidityinhismind，andwho，afterenduringsuchunspeakablesufferings，wasdeterminednottocompromisetheresultsofhisdevotion。”ButshemighthavesparedmemuchagonybetellingmypersecutorsherselfthesecretsthatIknownothingabout，insteadofurgingthemon。”
Hearingthatreply，thedoctortookhiscapandcloakandleftChristophe，rightlyjudgingthathecouldwormnothingoutofamanofthatstamp。ThejailerofBloisnoworderedthepoorladtobecarriedawayonastretcherbyfourmen，whotookhimtotheprisoninthetown，whereChristopheimmediatelyfellintothedeepsleepwhich，theysay，comestomostmothersaftertheterriblepangsofchildbirth。
IX
THETUMULTATAMBOISE
BymovingthecourttothechateauofAmboise，thetwoLorrainprincesintendedtosetatrapfortheleaderofthepartyoftheReformation，thePrincedeConde，whomtheyhadmadethekingsummontohispresence。AsvassaloftheCrownandprinceoftheblood，Condewasboundtoobeythesummonsofhissovereign。NottocometoAmboisewouldconstitutethecrimeoftreason；butifhecame，heputhimselfinthepoweroftheCrown。Now，atthismoment，aswehaveseen，theCrown，thecouncil，thecourt，andalltheirpowersweresolelyinthehandsoftheDucdeGuiseandtheCardinaldeLorraine。ThePrincedeCondeshowed，atthisdelicatecrisis，apresenceofmindandadecisionandwillingnesswhichmadehimtheworthyexponentofJeanned’AlbretandthevalorousgeneraloftheReformers。HetravelledattherearoftheconspiratorsasfarasVendome，intendingtosupportthemincaseoftheirsuccess。Whenthefirstuprisingendedbyabriefskirmish，inwhichtheflowerofthenobilitybeguiledbyCalvinperished，theprincearrived，withfiftynoblemen，atthechateauofAmboiseontheverydayafterthatfight，whichthepoliticGuisestermed”theTumultofAmboise。”AssoonasthedukeandcardinalheardofhiscomingtheysenttheMarechaldeSaint-Andrewithanescortofahundredmentomeethim。Whentheprinceandhisownescortreachedthegatesofthechateauthemarechalrefusedentrancetothelatter。”Youmustenteralone，monseigneur，”saidtheChancellorOlivier，theCardinaldeTournon，andBirago，whowerestationedoutsideoftheportcullis。”Andwhy？””Youaresuspectedoftreason，”repliedthechancellor。
Theprince，whosawthathissuitewerealreadysurroundedbythetroopoftheDucdeNemours，repliedtranquilly:”Ifthatisso，I
willgoalonetomycousin，andprovetohimmyinnocence。”
Hedismounted，talkedwithperfectfreedomofmindtoBirago，theCardinaldeTournon，thechancellor，andtheDucdeNemours，fromwhomheaskedforparticularsofthe”tumult。””Monseigneur，”repliedtheduke，”therebelshadconfederatesinAmboise。Acaptain，namedLanoue，hadintroducedarmedmen，whoopenedthegatetothem，throughwhichtheyenteredandmadethemselvesmastersofthetown——””Thatistosay，youopenedthemouthofasack，andtheyranintoit，”repliedtheprince，lookingatBirago。”IftheyhadbeensupportedbytheattackwhichCaptainChaudieu，thepreacher’sbrother，wasexpectedtomakebeforethegateoftheBon-
Hommes，theywouldhavebeencompletelysuccessful，”repliedtheDucdeNemours。”ButinconsequenceofthepositionwhichtheDucdeGuiseorderedmetotakeup，CaptainChaudieuwasobligedtoturnmyflanktoavoidafight。Soinsteadofarrivingbynight，liketherest，thisrebelandhismengotthereatdaybreak，bywhichtimetheking’stroopshadcrushedtheinvadersofthetown。””Andyouhadareserveforcetorecoverthegatewhichhadbeenopenedtothem？”saidtheprince。”MonsieurleMarechaldeSaint-Andrewastherewithfivehundredmen-
at-arms。”
Theprincegavethehighestpraisetothesemilitaryarrangements。”Thelieutenant-generalmusthavebeenfullyawareoftheplansoftheReformers，tohaveactedashedid，”hesaidinconclusion。”Theywerenodoubtbetrayed。”
Theprincewastreatedwithincreasingharshness。Afterseparatinghimfromhisescortatthegates，thecardinalandthechancellorbarredhiswaywhenhereachedthestaircasewhichledtotheapartmentsoftheking。”WearedirectedbyhisMajesty，monseigneur，totakeyoutoyourownapartments，”theysaid。”AmI，then，aprisoner？””Ifthatweretheking’sintentionyouwouldnotbeaccompaniedbyaprinceoftheChurch，norbyme，”repliedthechancellor。
Thesetwopersonagesescortedtheprincetoanapartment，whereguardsofhonor——so-called——weregivenhim。Thereheremained，withoutseeinganyone，forsomehours。FromhiswindowhelookeddownupontheLoireandthemeadowsofthebeautifulvalleystretchingfromAmboisetoTours。Hewasreflectingonthesituation，andaskinghimselfwhethertheGuiseswouldreallydareanythingagainsthisperson，whenthedoorofhischamberopenedandChicot，theking’sfool，formerlyadependentofhisown，enteredtheroom。”Theytoldmeyouwereindisgrace，”saidtheprince。”You’dneverbelievehowvirtuousthecourthasbecomesincethedeathofHenriII。””Butthekinglovesalaugh。””Whichking，——FrancoisII。，orFrancoisdeLorraine？””Youarenotafraidoftheduke，ifyoutalkinthatway！””Hewouldn’tpunishmeforit，monseigneur，”repliedChicot，laughing。”TowhatdoIowethehonorofthisvisit？””Hey！Isn’titduetoyouonyourreturn？Ibringyoumycapandbells。””CanIgoout？””Try。””SupposeIdogoout，whatthen？””Ishouldsaythatyouhadwonthegamebyplayingagainsttherules。””Chicot，youalarmme。Areyousentherebysomeonewhotakesaninterestinme？””Yes，”saidChicot，nodding。Hecamenearertotheprince，andmadehimunderstandthattheywerebeingwatchedandoverheard。”Whathaveyoutosaytome？”askedthePrincedeConde，inalowvoice。”Boldnessalonecanpullyououtofthisscrape；themessagecomesfromthequeen-mother，”repliedthefool，slippinghiswordsintotheearoftheprince。”Tellthosewhosentyou，”repliedConde，”thatIshouldnothaveenteredthischateauifIhadanythingtoreproachmyselfwith，ortofear。””Irushtoreportthatloftyanswer！”criedthefool。
Twohourslater，thatis，aboutoneo’clockintheafternoon，beforetheking’sdinner，thechancellorandCardinaldeTournoncametofetchtheprinceandpresenthimtoFrancoisII。inthegreatgalleryofthechateauofAmboise，wherethecouncilswereheld。There，beforethewholecourt，Condepretendedsurpriseatthecoldnesswithwhichthelittlekingreceivedhim，andaskedthereasonofit。”Youareaccused，cousin，”saidthequeen-mother，sternly，”oftakingpartintheconspiracyoftheReformers；andyoumustproveyourselfafaithfulsubjectandagoodCatholic，ifyoudonotdesiretodrawdownuponyourhousetheangeroftheking。”
Hearingthesewordssaid，inthemidstofthemostprofoundsilence，byCatherinede’Medici，onwhoserightarmthekingwasleaning，theDucd’Orleansbeingonherleftside，thePrincedeConderecoiledthreesteps，laidhishandonhisswordwithaproudmotion，andlookedatallthepersonswhosurroundedhim。”Thosewhosaidthat，madame，”hecriedinanangryvoice，”liedintheirthroats！”
Thenheflunghisgloveattheking’sfeet，saying:”Lethimwhobelievesthatcalumnycomeforward！”
ThewholecourttrembledastheDucdeGuisewasseentoleavehisplace；butinsteadofpickinguptheglove，headvancedtotheintrepidhunchback。”Ifyoudesireasecondinthatduel，monseigneur，domethehonortoacceptmyservices，”hesaid。”Iwillanswerforyou；IknowthatyouwillshowtheReformershowmistakentheyareiftheythinktohaveyoufortheirleader。”
Theprincewasforcedtotakethehandofthelieutenant-generalofthekingdom。ChicotpickedupthegloveandreturnedittoMonsieurdeConde。”Cousin，”saidthelittleking，”youmustdrawyourswordonlyforthedefenceofthekingdom。Comeanddine。”
TheCardinaldeLorraine，surprisedathisbrother’saction，drewhimawaytohisownapartments。ThePrincedeConde，havingescapedhisapparentdanger，offeredhishandtoMaryStuarttoleadhertothedininghall；butallthewhilethathemadeherflatteringspeechesheponderedinhismindwhattraptheastuteBalafrewassettingforhim。
Invainheworkedhisbrains，foritwasnotuntilQueenMaryherselfbetrayeditthatheguessedtheintentionoftheGuises。”’Twouldhavebeenagreatpity，”shesaidlaughing，”ifsocleveraheadhadfallen；youmustadmitthatmyunclehasbeengenerous。””Yes，madame；formyheadisonlyusefulonmyshoulders，thoughoneofthemisnotoriouslyhigherthantheother。Butisthisreallyyouruncle’sgenerosity？Ishenotgettingthecreditofitrathercheaply？
Doyouthinkitwouldbesoeasytotakeofftheheadofaprinceoftheblood？””Allisnotoveryet，”shesaid。”Weshallseewhatyourconductwillbeattheexecutionofthenoblemen，yourfriends，atwhichtheCouncilhasdecidedtomakeagreatpublicdisplayofseverity。””Ishalldo，”saidtheprince，”whateverthekingdoes。””Theking，thequeen-mother，andmyselfwillbepresentattheexecution，togetherwiththewholecourtandtheambassadors——””Afete！”saidtheprince，sarcastically。”Betterthanthat，”saidtheyoungqueen，”an/actoffaith/，anactofthehighestpolicy。’TisaquestionofforcingthenoblemenofFrancetosubmitthemselvestotheCrown，andcompellingthemtogiveuptheirtastesforplotsandfactions——””Youwillnotbreaktheirbelligerenttempersbytheshowofdanger，madame；youwillrisktheCrownitselfintheattempt，”repliedtheprince。
Attheendofthedinner，whichwasgloomyenough，QueenMaryhadthecruelboldnesstoturntheconversationopenlyuponthetrialofthenoblemenonthechargeofbeingseizedwitharmsintheirhands，andtospeakofthenecessityofmakingagreatpublicshowoftheirexecution。”Madame，”saidFrancoisII。，”isitnotenoughforthekingofFrancetoknowthatsomuchbravebloodistoflow？Musthemakeatriumphofit？””No，sire；butanexample，”repliedCatherine。”Itwasthecustomofyourfatherandyourgrandfathertobepresentattheburningofheretics，”saidMaryStuart。”Thekingswhoreignedbeforemedidastheythoughtbest，andI
choosetodoasIplease，”saidthelittleking。”PhiliptheSecond，”remarkedCatherine，”whoiscertainlyagreatking，latelypostponedan/autodafe/untilhecouldreturnfromtheLowCountriestoValladolid。””Whatdoyouthink，cousin？”saidthekingtoPrincedeConde。”Sire，youcannotavoidit，andthepapalnuncioandalltheambassadorsshouldbepresent。Ishallgowillingly，astheseladiestakepartinthefete。”
ThusthePrincedeConde，ataglancefromCatherinede’Medici，bravelychosehiscourse。
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AtthemomentwhenthePrincedeCondewasenteringthechateaud’Amboise，Lecamus，thefurrierofthetwoqueens，wasalsoarrivingfromParis，broughttoAmboisebytheanxietyintowhichthenewsofthetumulthadthrownbothhisfamilyandthatofLallier。Whentheoldmanpresentedhimselfatthegateofthechateau，thecaptainoftheguard，onhearingthathewasthequeens’furrier，said:——”Mygoodman，ifyouwanttobehangedyouhaveonlytosetfootinthiscourtyard。”
Hearingthesewords，thefather，indespair，satdownonastoneatalittledistanceandwaiteduntilsomeretainerofthetwoqueensorsomeservant-womanmightpasswhowouldgivehimnewsofhisson。Buthesattherealldaywithoutseeinganyonewhomheknew，andwasforcedatlasttogodownintothetown，wherehefound，notwithoutsomedifficulty，alodginginahostelryonthepublicsquarewheretheexecutionstookplace。Hewasobligedtopayapoundadaytoobtainaroomwithawindowlookingonthesquare。Thenextdayhehadthecouragetowatch，fromhiswindow，theexecutionofalltheabettorsoftherebellionwhowerecondemnedtobebrokenonthewheelorhanged，aspersonsoflittleimportance。Hewashappyindeednottoseehisownsonamongthevictims。
Whentheexecutionwasoverhewentintothesquareandputhimselfinthewayoftheclerkofthecourt。Aftergivinghisname，andslippingapursefullofcrownsintotheman’shand，hebeggedhimtolookontherecordsandseeifthenameofChristopheLecamusappearedineitherofthethreeprecedingexecutions。Theclerk，touchedbythemannerandthetonesofthedespairingfather，tookhimtohisownhouse。AfteracarefulsearchhewasabletogivetheoldmananabsoluteassurancethatChristophewasnotamongthepersonsthusfarexecuted，noramongthosewhoweretobeputtodeathwithinafewdays。”Mydearman，”saidtheclerk，”Parliamenthastakenchargeofthetrialofthegreatlordsimplicatedintheaffair，andalsothatoftheprincipalleaders。Perhapsyoursonisdetainedintheprisonsofthechateau，andhemaybebroughtforthforthemagnificentexecutionwhichtheirExcellenciestheDucdeGuiseandtheCardinaldeLorrainearenowpreparing。Theheadsoftwenty-sevenbarons，elevencounts，andsevenmarquises，——inall，fiftynoblemenorleadersoftheReformers，——aretobecutoff。AsthejusticiaryofthecountyofTourineisquitedistinctfromthatoftheparliamentofParis，ifyouaredeterminedtoknowaboutyourson，IadviseyoutogoandseetheChancelierOlivier，whohasthemanagementofthisgreattrialunderordersfromthelieutenant-generalofthekingdom。”
Thepooroldman，actingonthisadvice，wentthreetimestoseethechancellor，standinginalongqueueofpersonswaitingtoaskmercyfortheirfriends。Butasthetitledmenweremadetopassbeforetheburghers，hewasobligedtogiveupthehopeofspeakingtothechancellor，thoughhesawhimseveraltimesleavethehousetogoeithertothechateauortothecommitteeappointedbytheParliament，——passingeachtimebetweenadoublehedgeofpetitionerswhowerekeptbackbytheguardstoallowhimfreepassage。Itwasahorriblesceneofanguishanddesolation；foramongthesepetitionersweremanywomen，wives，mothers，daughters，wholefamiliesindistress。OldLecamusgavemuchgoldtothefootmenofthechateau，entreatingthemtoputcertainletterswhichhewroteintothehandeitherofDayelle，QueenMary’swoman，orintothatofthequeen-mother；butthefootmentookthepoorman’smoneyandcarriedtheletters，accordingtothegeneralorderofthecardinal，totheprovost-marshal。Bydisplayingsuchunheard-ofcrueltytheGuisesknewthattheyincurredgreatdangersfromrevenge，andneverdidtheytakesuchprecautionsfortheirsafetyastheydidwhilethecourtwasatAmboise；consequently，neitherthegreatestofallcorrupters，gold，northeincessantandactivesearchwhichtheoldfurrierinstitutedgavehimtheslightestgleamoflightonthefateofhisson。Hewentaboutthelittletownwithamournfulair，watchingthegreatpreparationsmadebyorderofthecardinalforthedreadfulshowatwhichthePrincedeCondehadagreedtobepresent。
PubliccuriositywasstimulatedfromParistoNantesbythemeansadoptedonthisoccasion。Theexecutionwasannouncedfromallpulpitsbytherectorsofthechurches，whileatthesametimetheygavethanksforthevictoryofthekingovertheheretics。Threehandsomebalconies，themiddleonemoresumptuousthantheothertwo，werebuiltagainsttheterraceofthechateauofAmboise，atthefootofwhichtheexecutionswereappointedtotakeplace。Aroundtheopensquare，stagingswereerected，andthesewerefilledwithanimmensecrowdofpeopleattractedbythewide-spreadnotorietygiventothis”actoffaith。”Tenthousandpersonscampedintheadjoiningfieldsthenightbeforethedayonwhichthehorriblespectaclewasappointedtotakeplace。Theroofsonthehouseswerecrowdedwithspectators，andwindowswereletattenpoundsapiece，——anenormoussuminthosedays。Thepooroldfatherhadengaged，aswemaywellbelieve，oneofthebestplacesfromwhichtheeyecouldtakeinthewholeoftheterriblescene，wheresomanymenofnoblebloodweretoperishonavastscaffoldcoveredwithblackcloth，erectedinthemiddleoftheopensquare。Thither，onthemorningofthefatalday，theybroughtthe/chouquet/，——anamegiventotheblockonwhichthecondemnedmanlaidhisheadashekneltbeforeit。Afterthistheybroughtanarm-
chairdrapedwithblack，fortheclerkoftheParliament，whosebusinessitwastocallupthecondemnednoblementotheirdeathandreadtheirsentences。ThewholesquarewasguardedfromearlymorningbytheScottishguardandthegendarmesoftheking’shousehold，inordertokeepbackthecrowdwhichthreatenedtofillitbeforethehouroftheexecution。
Afterasolemnmasssaidatthechateauandinthechurchesofthetown，thecondemnedlords，thelastoftheconspiratorswhowereleftalive，wereledout。Thesegentlemen，someofwhomhadbeenputtothetorture，weregroupedatthefootofthescaffoldandsurroundedbymonks，whoendeavoredtomakethemabjurethedoctrinesofCalvin。ButnotasinglemanlistenedtothewordsofthepriestswhohadbeenappointedforthisdutybytheCardinalofLorraine；amongwhomthegentlemennodoubtfearedtofindspiesoftheGuises。Inordertoavoidtheimportunityoftheseantagoniststheychantedapsalm，putintoFrenchversebyClementMarot。Calvin，asweallknow，hadordainedthatprayerstoGodshouldbeinthelanguageofeachcountry，asmuchfromaprincipleofcommonsenseasinoppositiontotheRomanworship。Tothoseinthecrowdwhopitiedtheseunfortunategentlemenitwasamovingincidenttohearthemchantthefollowingverseattheverymomentwhenthekingandcourtarrivedandtooktheirplaces:——”Godbemercifuluntous，Andblessus！
Andshowusthelightofhiscountenance，Andbemercifuluntous。”
TheeyesofalltheReformersturnedtotheirleader，thePrincedeConde，whowasplacedintentionallybetweenQueenMaryandtheyoungDucd’Orleans。Catherinede’Mediciwasbesidetheking，andtherestofthecourtwereonherleft。ThepapalnunciostoodbehindQueenMary；thelieutenant-generalofthekingdom，theDucdeGuise，wasonhorsebackbelowthebalcony，withtwoofthemarshalsofFranceandhisstaffcaptains。WhenthePrincedeCondeappearedallthecondemnednoblemenwhoknewhimbowedtohim，andthebravehunchbackreturnedtheirsalutation。”Itwouldbehard，”heremarkedtotheDucd’Orleans，”nottobeciviltothoseabouttodie。”
Thetwootherbalconieswerefilledbyinvitedguests，courtiers，andpersonsondutyaboutthecourt。Inshort，thewholecompanyofthechateaudeBloishadcometoAmboisetoassistatthisfestivalofdeath，preciselyasitpassed，alittlelater，fromthepleasuresofacourttotheperilsofwar，withaneasyfacility，whichwillalwaysseemtoforeignersoneofthemainsupportsoftheirpolicytowardFrance。
ThepoorsyndicofthefurriersofPariswasfilledwiththekeenestjoyatnotseeinghissonamongthefifty-sevengentlemenwhowerecondemnedtodie。
AtasignfromtheDucdeGuise，theclerkseatedonthescaffoldcriedinaloudvoice:——”Jean-Louis-Alberic，BarondeRaunay，guiltyofheresy，ofthecrimeof/lese-majeste/，andassaultwitharmedhandagainstthepersonoftheking。”
Atallhandsomemanmountedthescaffoldwithafirmstep，bowedtothepeopleandthecourt，andsaid:”Thatsentencelies。Itookarmstodeliverthekingfromhisenemies，theGuises。”
Heplacedhisheadontheblock，anditfell。TheReformerschanted:——”Thou，OGod！hastprovedus；
Thouhasttriedus；
Assilveristriedinthefire，Sohastthoupurifiedus。””Robert-Jean-ReneBriquemart，ComtedeVillemongis，guiltyofthecrimeof/lese-majeste/，andofattemptsagainstthepersonoftheking！”calledtheclerk。
ThecountdippedhishandsinthebloodoftheBarondeRaunay，andsaid:——”Maythisbloodrecoiluponthosewhoarereallyguiltyofthosecrimes。”
TheReformerschanted:——”Thoubroughtestusintothesnare；
Thoulaidestafflictionsuponourloins；
ThouhastsufferedourenemiesTorideoverus。””Youmustadmit，monseigneur，”saidthePrincedeCondetothepapalnuncio，”thatiftheseFrenchgentlemenknowhowtoconspire，theyalsoknowhowtodie。””Whathatreds，brother！”whisperedtheDuchessedeGuisetotheCardinaldeLorraine，”youaredrawingdownupontheheadsofourchildren！””Thesightmakesmesick，”saidtheyoungking，turningpaleattheflowofblood。”Pooh！onlyrebels！”repliedCatherinede’Medici。
Thechantswenton；theaxestillfell。Thesublimespectacleofmensingingastheydied，and，aboveall，theimpressionproduceduponthecrowdbytheprogressivediminutionofthechantingvoices，supersededthefearinspiredbytheGuises。”Mercy！”criedthepeoplewithonevoice，whentheyheardthesolitarychantofthelastandmostimportantofthegreatlords，whowassavedtobethefinalvictim。Healoneremainedatthefootofthestepsbywhichtheothershadmountedthescaffold，andhechanted:——”Thou，OGod，bemercifuluntous，Andblessus，Andcausethyfacetoshineuponus。
Amen！””Come，DucdeNemours，”saidthePrincedeConde，wearyoftheparthewasplaying；”youwhohavethecreditoftheskirmish，andwhohelpedtomakethesemenprisoners，doyounotfeelunderanobligationtoaskmercyforthisone？ItisCastelnau，who，theysay，receivedyourwordofhonorthatheshouldbecourteouslytreatedifhesurrendered。””DoyouthinkIwaitedtillhewasherebeforetryingtosavehim？”
saidtheDucdeNemours，stungbythesternreproach。
Theclerkcalledslowly——nodoubthewasintentionallyslow:——”Michel-Jean-Louis，BarondeCastelnau-Chalosse，accusedandconvictedofthecrimeof/lese-majeste/，andofattemptsagainstthepersonoftheking。””No，”saidCastelnau，proudly，”itcannotbeacrimetoopposethetyrannyandtheprojectedusurpationoftheGuises。”
Theexecutioner，sickofhistask，sawamovementintheking’sgallery，andfumbledwithhisaxe。”Monsieurlebaron，”hesaid，”Idonotwanttoexecuteyou；amoment’sdelaymaysaveyou。”
Allthepeopleagaincried，”Mercy！””Come！”saidtheking，”mercyforthatpoorCastelnau，whosavedthelifeoftheDucd’Orleans。”
Thecardinalintentionallymisunderstoodtheking’sspeech。”Goon，”hemotionedtotheexecutioner，andtheheadofCastelnaufellattheverymomentwhenthekinghadpronouncedhispardon。”Thathead，cardinal，goestoyouraccount，”saidCatherinede’
Medici。
ThedayafterthisdreadfulexecutionthePrincedeCondereturnedtoNavarre。
TheaffairproducedagreatsensationinFranceandatalltheforeigncourts。ThetorrentsofnoblebloodthenshedcausedsuchanguishtothechancellorOlivierthathishonorablemind，perceivingatlasttherealendandaimoftheGuisesdisguisedunderapretextofdefendingreligionandthemonarchy，feltitselfnolongerabletomakeheadagainstthem。Thoughhewastheircreature，hewasnotwillingtosacrificehisdutyandtheThronetotheirambition；andhewithdrewfromhispost，suggestingl’Hopitalashisrightfulsuccessor。
Catherine，hearingofOlivier’ssuggestion，immediatelyproposedBirago，andputmuchwarmthintoherrequest。Thecardinal，knowingnothingoftheletterwrittenbyl’Hopitaltothequeen-mother，andsupposinghimfaithfultothehouseofLorraine，pressedhisappointmentinoppositiontothatofBirago，andCatherineallowedherselftoseemvanquished。Fromthemomentthatl’HopitalentereduponhisdutieshetookmeasuresagainsttheInquisition，whichtheCardinaldeLorrainewasdesirousofintroducingintoFrance；andhethwartedsosuccessfullyalltheanti-gallicanpolicyoftheGuises，andprovedhimselfsotrueaFrenchmen，thatinordertosubduehimhewasexiled，withinthreemonthsofhisappointment，tohiscountry-
seatofVignay，nearEtampes。
TheworthyoldLecamuswaitedimpatientlytillthecourtleftAmboise，beingunabletofindanopportunitytospeaktoeitherofthequeens，andhopingtoputhimselfintheirwayasthecourtadvancedalongtheriver-bankonitsreturntoBlois。Hedisguisedhimselfasapauper，attheriskofbeingtakenforaspy，andbymeansofthistravesty，hemingledwiththecrowdofbeggarswhichlinedtheroadway。AfterthedepartureofthePrincedeConde，andtheexecutionoftheleaders，thedukeandcardinalthoughttheyhadsufficientlysilencedtheReformerstoallowthequeen-motheralittlemorefreedom。Lecamusknewthat，insteadoftravellinginalitter，Catherineintendedtogoonhorseback，/alaplanchette/，——suchwasthenamegiventoasortofstirrupinventedfororbythequeen-mother，who，havinghurtherlegonsomeoccasion，orderedavelvet-coveredsaddlewithaplankonwhichshecouldplacebothfeetbysittingsidewaysonthehorseandpassingonelegthroughadepressioninthesaddle。Asthequeen-
motherhadveryhandsomelegs，shewasaccusedofinventingthismethodofriding，inordertoshowthem。Theoldfurrierfortunatelyfoundamomentwhenhecouldpresenthimselftohersight；buttheinstantthatthequeenrecognizedhimshegavesignsofdispleasure。”Goaway，mygoodman，andletnooneseeyouspeaktome，”shesaidwithanxiety。”GetyourselfelecteddeputytotheStates-general，bytheguildofyourtrade，andactformewhentheAssemblyconvenesatOrleans；youshallknowwhomtotrustinthematterofyourson。””Isheliving？”askedtheoldman。”Alas！”saidthequeen，”Ihopeso。”
LecamuswasobligedtoreturntoPariswithnothingbetterthanthosedoubtfulwordsandthesecretoftheapproachingconvocationoftheStates-general，thusconfidedtohimbythequeen-mother。
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TheCardinaldeLorraineobtained，withinafewdaysoftheeventsjustrelated，certainrevelationsastotheculpabilityofthecourtofNavarre。AtLyon，andatMouvansinDauphine，abodyofReformers，undercommandofthemostenterprisingprinceofthehouseofBourbonhadendeavoredtoincitethepopulacetorise。Suchaudacity，afterthebloodyexecutionsatAmboise，astonishedtheGuises，whonodoubttoputanendtoheresybymeansknownonlytothemselvesproposedtheconvocationoftheStates-generalatOrleans。Catherinede’
Medici，seeingachanceofsupporttoherpolicyinanationalrepresentation，joyfullyagreedtoit。Thecardinal，bentonrecoveringhispreyanddegradingthehouseofBourbon，convokedtheStatesforthesolepurposeofbringingthePrincedeCondeandthekingofNavarreAntoinedeBourbon，fatherofHenriIV。toOrleans，——intendingtomakeuseofChristophetoconvicttheprinceofhightreasonifhesucceededinagaingettinghimwithinthepoweroftheCrown。
AftertwomonthshadpassedintheprisonatBlois，Christophewasremovedonalittertoatow-boat，whichsaileduptheLoiretoOrleans，helpedbyawesterlywind。HearrivedthereintheeveningandwastakenatoncetothecelebratedtowerofSaint-Aignan。Thepoorlad，whodidnotknowwhattothinkofhisremoval，hadplentyoftimetoreflectonhisconductandonhisfuture。Heremainedtheretwomonths，lyingonhispallet，unabletomovehislegs。Thebonesofhisjointswerebroken。Whenheaskedforthehelpofasurgeonofthetown，thejailerrepliedthattheordersweresostrictabouthimthathedarednotallowanyonebuthimselfeventobringhimfood。Thisseverity，whichplacedhimvirtuallyinsolitaryconfinement，amazedChristophe。Tohismind，heoughteithertobehangedorreleased；forhewas，ofcourse，entirelyignorantoftheeventsatAmboise。
InspiteofcertainsecretadvicesenttothembyCatherinede’
Medici，thetwochiefsofthehouseofBourbonresolvedtobepresentattheStates-general，socompletelydidtheautographletterstheyreceivedfromthekingreassurethem；andnosoonerhadthecourtestablisheditselfatOrleansthanitlearned，notwithoutamazement，fromGroslot，chancellorofNavarre，thattheBourbonprinceshadarrived。
FrancoisII。establishedhimselfinthehouseofthechancellorofNavarre，whowasalso/bailli/，inotherwords，chiefjusticeofthelawcourts，atOrleans。ThisGroslot，whosedualpositionwasoneofthesingularitiesofthisperiod——whenReformersthemselvesownedabbeys——Groslot，theJacquesCoeurofOrleans，oneoftherichestburghersoftheday，didnotbequeathhisnametothehouse，forinafteryearsitwascalledLeBailliage，havingbeen，undoubtedly，purchasedeitherbytheheirsoftheCrownorbytheprovincesastheproperplaceinwhichtoholdthelegalcourts。Thischarmingstructure，builtbythebourgeoisieofthesixteenthcentury，whichcompletessoadmirablythehistoryofaperiodinwhichking，nobles，andburghersrivalledeachotherinthegrace，elegance，andrichnessoftheirdwellingswitnessVarangeville，thesplendidmanor-houseofAngo，andthemansion，calledthatofHercules，inParis，existstothisday，thoughinastatetofillarchaeologistsandloversoftheMiddleAgeswithdespair。Itwouldbedifficult，however，togotoOrleansandnottakenoticeoftheHotel-de-Villewhichstandsontheplacedel’Estape。Thishotel-de-ville，ortown-hall，istheformerBailliage，themansionofGroslot，themostillustrioushouseinOrleans，andthemostneglected。
Theremainsofthisoldbuildingwillstillshow，totheeyesofanarchaeologist，howmagnificentitwasataperiodwhenthehousesoftheburgherswerecommonlybuiltofwoodratherthanstone，aperiodwhennoblemenalonehadtherighttobuild/manors/，——asignificantword。Havingservedasthedwellingofthekingataperiodwhenthecourtdisplayedmuchpompandluxury，thehotelGroslotmusthavebeenthemostsplendidhouseinOrleans。Itwashere，ontheplacedel’Estape，thattheGuisesandthekingreviewedtheburgherguard，ofwhichMonsieurdeCypierrewasmadethecommanderduringthesojournoftheking。AtthisperiodthecathedralofSainte-Croix，afterwardcompletedbyHenriIV。，——whochosetogivethatproofofthesincerityofhisconversion，——wasinprocessoferection，anditsneighborhood，heapedwithstonesandcumberedwithpilesofwood，wasoccupiedbytheGuisesandtheirretainers，whowerequarteredinthebishop’spalace，nowdestroyed。
Thetownwasundermilitarydiscipline，andthemeasurestakenbytheGuisesprovedhowlittlelibertytheyintendedtoleavetotheStates-
general，themembersofwhichflockedintothetown，raisingtherentsofthepoorestlodgings。Thecourt，theburghermilitia，thenobility，andtheburghersthemselveswereallinastateofexpectation，awaitingsome/coup-d’Etat/；andtheyfoundthemselvesnotmistakenwhentheprincesofthebloodarrived。AstheBourbonprincesenteredtheking’schamber，thecourtsawwithterrortheinsolentbearingofCardinaldeLorraine。Determinedtoshowhisintentionsopenly，heremainedcovered，whilethekingofNavarrestoodbeforehimbare-
headed。Catherinede’Mediciloweredhereyes，nottoshowtheindignationthatshefelt。Thenfollowedasolemnexplanationbetweentheyoungkingandthetwochiefsoftheyoungerbranch。Itwasshort，forthatthefirstwordsofthePrincedeCondeFrancoisII。
interruptedhim，withthreateninglooks:”Messieurs，mycousins，IhadsupposedtheaffairofAmboiseover；I
finditisnotso，andyouarecompellingustoregrettheindulgencewhichweshowed。””ItisnotthekingsomuchastheMessieursdeGuisewhonowaddressus，”repliedthePrincedeConde。”Adieu，monsieur，”criedthelittleking，crimsonwithanger。Whenhelefttheking’spresencetheprincefoundhiswaybarredinthegreathallbytwoofficersoftheScottishguard。AsthecaptainoftheFrenchguardadvanced，theprincedrewaletterfromhisdoublet，andsaidtohiminpresenceofthewholecourt:——”Canyoureadthatpaperaloudtome，MonsieurdeMaille-Breze？””Willingly，”saidtheFrenchcaptain:——”’Mycousin，comeinallsecurity；Igiveyoumyroyalwordthatyoucandoso。Ifyouhaveneedofasafeconduct，thisletterwillserveasone。’””Signed？”saidtheshrewdandcourageoushunchback。”Signed’Francois，’”saidMaille。”No，no！”exclaimedtheprince，”itissigned:’Yourgoodcousinandfriend，Francois，’——Messieurs，”hesaidtotheScotchguard，”Ifollowyoutotheprisontowhichyouareordered，onbehalfoftheking，toconductme。Thereisenoughnobilityinthishalltounderstandthematter！”
TheprofoundsilencewhichfollowedthesewordsoughttohaveenlightenedtheGuises，butsilenceisthattowhichallprinceslistenleast。”Monseigneur，”saidtheCardinaldeTournon，whowasfollowingtheprince，”youknowwellthatsincetheaffairatAmboiseyouhavemadecertainattemptsbothatLyonandatMouvansinDauphineagainsttheroyalauthority，ofwhichthekinghadnoknowledgewhenhewrotetoyouinthoseterms。””Tricksters！”criedtheprince，laughing。”YouhavemadeapublicdeclarationagainsttheMassandinfavorofheresy。””WearemastersinNavarre，”saidtheprince。”YoumeantosayinBearn。ButyouowehomagetotheCrown，”repliedPresidentdeThou。”Ha！youhere，president？”criedtheprince，sarcastically。”IsthewholeParliamentwithyou？”
Sosaying，hecastalookofcontemptuponthecardinalandleftthehall。Hesawplainlyenoughthattheymeanttohavehishead。Thenextday，whenMessieursdeThou，deViole，d’Espesse，theprocureur-
generalBourdin，andthechiefclerkofthecourtduTillet，enteredhispresence，hekeptthemstanding，andexpressedhisregretstoseethemchargedwithadutywhichdidnotbelongtothem。Thenhesaidtotheclerk，”WritedownwhatIsay，”anddictatedasfollows:——”I，LouisdeBourbon，PrincedeConde，peerofthekingdom，MarquisdeConti，ComtedeSoissons，princeofthebloodofFrance，dodeclarethatIformallyrefusetorecognizeanycommissionappointedtotryme，because，inmyqualityandinvirtueoftheprivilegeappertainingtoallmembersoftheroyalhouse，Icanonlybeaccused，tried，andjudgedbytheParliamentofpeers，bothChambersassembled，thekingbeingseatedonhisbedofjustice。””Yououghttoknowthat，gentlemen，betterthanothers，”headded；”andthisreplyisallthatyouwillgetfromme。Fortherest，I
trustinGodandmyright。”
Themagistratescontinuedtoaddresshimnotwithstandinghisobstinatesilence。ThekingofNavarrewasleftatliberty，butcloselywatched；
hisprisonwaslargerthanthatoftheprince，andthiswastheonlyrealdifferenceinthepositionofthetwobrothers，——theintentionbeingthattheirheadsshouldfalltogether。
Christophewasthereforekeptinthestrictestsolitaryconfinementbyorderofthecardinalandthelieutenant-generalofthekingdom，fornootherpurposethantogivethejudgesproofoftheculpabilityofthePrincedeConde。ThelettersseizedonLasagne，theprince’ssecretary，thoughintelligibletostatesmen，wherenotsufficientlyplainproofforjudges。ThecardinalintendedtoconfronttheprinceandChristophebyaccident；anditwasnotwithoutintentionthattheyoungReformerwasplacedinoneofthelowerroomsinthetowerofSaint-Aignan，withawindowlookingontheprisonyard。EachtimethatChristophewasbroughtbeforethemagistrates，andsubjectedtoacloseexamination，heshelteredhimselfbehindatotalandcompletedenial，whichprolongedhistrialuntilaftertheopeningoftheStates-general。
OldLecamus，whobythattimehadgothimselfelecteddeputyofthe/tiers-etat/bytheburghersofParis，arrivedatOrleansafewdaysafterthearrestofthePrincedeConde。Thisnews，whichreachedhimatEtampes，redoubledhisanxiety；forhefullyunderstood——he，whoaloneknewofChristophe’sinterviewwiththeprinceunderthebridgenearhisownhouse——thathisson’sfatewascloselyboundupwiththatoftheleaderoftheReformedparty。Hethereforedeterminedtostudythedarktangleofinterestswhichwerestrugglingtogetheratcourtinordertodiscoversomemeansofrescuinghisson。ItwasuselesstothinkofQueenCatherine，whorefusedtoseeherfurrier。NooneaboutthecourtwhomhewasabletoaddresscouldgivehimanysatisfactoryinformationaboutChristophe；andhefellatlastintoastateofsuchutterdespairthathewasonthevergeofappealingtothecardinalhimself，whenhelearnedthatMonsieurdeThouandthiswasthegreatstainuponthatgoodman’slifehadconsentedtobeoneofthejudgesofthePrincedeConde。Theoldfurrierwentatoncetoseehim，andlearnedatlastthatChristophewasstillliving，thoughaprisoner。
Tourillon，theglovertowhomLaRenaudiesentChristopheonhiswaytoBlois，hadofferedaroominhishousetotheSieurLecamusforthewholetimeofhisstayinOrleansduringthesittingsoftheStates-general。Thegloverbelievedthefurriertobe，likehimself，secretlyattachedtotheReformedreligion；buthesoonsawthatafatherwhofearsforthelifeofhischildpaysnoheedtoshadesofreligiousopinion，butflingshimselfproneuponthebosomofGodwithoutcaringwhatinsigniamengivetoHim。Thepooroldman，repulsedinallhisefforts，wanderedlikeonebewilderedthroughthestreets。Contrarytohisexpectations，hismoneyavailedhimnothing；
MonsieurdeThouhadwarnedhimthatifhebribedanyservantofthehouseofGuisehewouldmerelylosehismoney，forthedukeandcardinalallowednothingthatrelatedtoChristophetotranspire。DeThou，whosefameissomewhattarnishedbythepartheplayedatthiscrisis，endeavoredtogivesomehopetothepoorfather；buthetrembledsomuchhimselfforthefateofhisgodsonthathisattemptsatconsolationonlyalarmedtheoldmanstillmore。Lecamusroamedthestreets；inthreemonthshehadshrunkvisibly。HisonlyhopenowlayinthewarmfriendshipwhichforsomanyyearshadboundhimtotheHippocratesofthesixteenthcentury。AmbroiseParetriedtosayawordtoQueenMaryonleavingthechamberoftheking，whowasthenindisposed；butnosoonerhadhenamedChristophethanthedaughteroftheStuarts，nervousattheprospectofherfateshouldanyevilhappentotheking，andbelievingthattheReformerswereattemptingtopoisonhim，criedout:——”Ifmyuncleshadonlylistenedtome，thatfanaticwouldhavebeenhangedalready。”
TheeveningonwhichthisfatalanswerwasrepeatedtooldLecamus，byhisfriendPareontheplacedel’Estape，hereturnedhomehalfdeadtohisownchamber，refusingtoeatanysupper。Tourillon，uneasyabouthim，wentuptohisroomandfoundhimintears；theagedeyesshowedtheinflamedredliningoftheirlids，sothatthegloverfanciedforamomentthathewasweepingtearsofblood。”Comfortyourself，father，”saidtheReformer；”theburghersofOrleansarefurioustoseetheircitytreatedasthoughitweretakenbyassault，andguardedbythesoldiersofMonsieurdeCypierre。IfthelifeofthePrincedeCondeisinanyrealdangerwewillsoondemolishthetowerofSaint-Aignan；thewholetownisonthesideoftheReformers，anditwillriseinrebellion；youmaybesureofthat！””But，eveniftheyhangtheGuises，itwillnotgivemebackmyson，”
saidthewretchedfather。
AtthatinstantsomeonerappedcautiouslyonTourillon’souterdoor，andthegloverwentdownstairstoopenithimself。Thenightwasdark。
Inthesetroubloustimesthemastersofallhouseholdstookminuteprecautions。Tourillonlookedthroughthepeep-holescutinthedoor，andsawastranger，whoseaccentindicatedanItalian。Theman，whowasdressedinblack，askedtospeakwithLecamusonmattersofbusiness，andTourillonadmittedhim。Whenthefurriercaughtsightofhisvisitorheshudderedviolently；butthestrangermanaged，unseenbyTourillon，tolayhisfingersonhislips。Lecamus，understandingthegesture，saidimmediately:——”Youhavecome，Isuppose，toofferfurs？””/Si/，”saidtheItalian，discreetly。