CalvinacknowledgedChaudieu’sveryhumblesalutationbyaslightinclinationofthehead。ChaudieuslippedthebridlesofbothhorsesthroughhisarmsandfollowedthetwogreatmenoftheReformation，walkingtotheleft，behinddeBeze，whowasonCalvin’sright。Theservant-womanhastenedoninadvancetopreventtheclosingofthePortedeRive，byinformingthecaptainoftheguardthatCalvinhadbeenseizedwithsuddenacutepains。
TheodoredeBezewasanativeofthecantonofVezelay，whichwasthefirsttoentertheConfederation，thecurioushistoryofwhichtransactionhasbeenwrittenbyoneoftheThierrys。Theburgherspiritofresistance，endemicatVezelay，nodoubt，playeditspartinthepersonofthisman，inthegreatrevoltoftheReformers；fordeBezewasundoubtedlyoneofthemostsingularpersonalitiesoftheHeresy。”Yousufferstill？”saidTheodoretoCalvin。”ACatholicwouldsay，’likealostsoul，’”repliedtheReformer，withthebitternesshegavetohisslightestremarks。”Ah！Ishallnotbeherelong，myson。Whatwillbecomeofyouwithoutme？””Weshallfightbythelightofyourbooks，”saidChaudieu。
Calvinsmiled；hisredfacechangedtoapleasedexpression，andhelookedfavorablyatChaudieu。”Well，haveyoubroughtmenews？Havetheymassacredmanyofourpeople？”hesaidsmiling，andlettingasarcasticjoyshineinhisbrowneyes。”No，”saidChaudieu，”allispeaceful。””Somuchtheworse，”criedCalvin；”somuchtheworse！Allpacificationisanevil，ifindeeditisnotatrap。Ourstrengthliesinpersecution。WhereshouldwebeiftheChurchacceptedReform？””But，”saidTheodore，”thatispreciselywhatthequeen-motherappearstowish。””Sheiscapableofit，”remarkedCalvin。”Istudythatwoman——””What，atthisdistance？”criedChaudieu。”Isthereanydistanceforthemind？”repliedCalvin，sternly，forhethoughttheinterruptionirreverent。”Catherineseekspower，andwomenwiththatintheireyehaveneitherhonornorfaith。Butwhatisshedoingnow？””Ibringyouaproposalfromhertocallaspeciesofcouncil，”
repliedTheodoredeBeze。”NearParis？”askedCalvin，hastily。”Yes。””Ha！somuchthebetter！”exclaimedtheReformer。”Wearetotrytounderstandeachotheranddrawupsomepublicagreementwhichshallunitethetwochurches。””Ah！ifshewouldonlyhavethecouragetoseparatetheFrenchChurchfromthecourtofRome，andcreateapatriarchforFranceastheydidintheGreekChurch！”criedCalvin，hiseyesglisteningattheideathuspresentedtohismindofapossiblethrone。”But，myson，canthenieceofaPopebesincere？Sheisonlytryingtogaintime。””ShehassentawaytheQueenofScots，”saidChaudieu。”Oneless！”remarkedCalvin，astheypassedthroughthePortedeRive。”ElizabethofEnglandwillrestrainthatoneforus。Twoneighboringqueenswillsoonbeatwarwitheachother。Oneishandsome，theotherugly，——afirstcauseforirritation；besides，there’sthequestionofillegitimacy——”
Herubbedhishands，andthecharacterofhisjoywassoevidentlyferociousthatdeBezeshuddered:hesawtheseaofbloodhismasterwascontemplating。”TheGuiseshaveirritatedthehouseofBourbon，”saidTheodoreafterapause。”TheycametoanopenruptureatOrleans。””Ah！”saidCalvin，”youwouldnotbelieveme，myson，whenItoldyouthelasttimeyoustartedforNeracthatweshouldendbystirringupwartothedeathbetweenthetwobranchesofthehouseofFrance？I
have，atleast，onecourt，onekingandroyalfamilyonmyside。Mydoctrineisproducingitseffectuponthemasses。Theburghers，too，understandme；theyregardasidolatorsallwhogotoMass，whopaintthewallsoftheirchurches，andputpicturesandstatueswithinthem。
Ha！itisfarmoreeasyforapeopletodemolishchurchesandpalacesthantoarguethequestionofjustificationbyfaith，ortherealpresence。Lutherwasanargufier，butI，——Iamanarmy！Hewasareasoner，Iamasystem。Inshort，mysons，hewasmerelyaskirmisher，butIamTarquin！Yes，/my/faithfulshalldestroypicturesandpulldownchurches；theyshallmakemill-stonesofstatuestogrindtheflourofthepeoples。ThereareguildsandcorporationsintheStates-general——Iwillhavenothingtherebutindividuals。Corporationsresist；theyseeclearwherethemassesareblind。Wemustjointoourdoctrinepoliticalinterestswhichwillconsolidateit，andkeeptogetherthe/materiel/ofmyarmies。Ihavesatisfiedthelogicofcautioussoulsandthemindsofthinkersbythisbaredandnakedworshipwhichcarriesreligionintotheworldofideas；Ihavemadethepeoplesunderstandtheadvantagesofsuppressingceremony。Itisforyou，Theodore，toenlisttheirinterests；holdtothat；gonotbeyondit。Allissaidinthewayofdoctrine；letnooneaddoneiota。WhydoesCameron，thatlittleGasconpastor，presumetowriteofit？”
Calvin，deBeze，andChaudieuweremountingthesteepstepsoftheuppertowninthemidstofacrowd，butthecrowdpaidnottheslightestattentiontothemenwhowereunchainingthemobsofothercitiesandpreparingthemtoravageFrance。
Afterthisterribletirade，thethreemarchedoninsilencetilltheyenteredthelittleplaceSaint-Pierreandturnedtowardthepastor’shouse。Onthesecondstoryofthathousenevernoted，andofwhichinthesedaysnooneisevertoldinGeneva，where，itmayberemarked，Calvinhasnostatuehislodgingconsistedofthreechamberswithcommonpinefloorsandwainscots，attheendofwhichwerethekitchenandthebedroomofhiswoman-servant。Theentrance，asusuallyhappenedinmostoftheburgherhouseholdsofGeneva，wasthroughthekitchen，whichopenedintoalittleroomwithtwowindows，servingasparlor，salon，anddining-room。Calvin’sstudy，wherehisthoughthadwrestledwithsufferingforthelastfourteenyears，camenext，withthebedroombeyondit。Fouroakenchairscoveredwithtapestryandplacedaroundasquaretablewerethesolefurnitureoftheparlor。A
stoveofwhiteporcelain，standinginonecorneroftheroom，castoutagentleheat。Panelsandawainscotofpinewoodleftinitsnaturalstatewithoutdecorationcoveredthewalls。ThusthenakednessoftheplacewasinkeepingwiththesoberandsimplelifeoftheReformer。”Well？”saiddeBezeastheyentered，profitingbyafewmomentswhenChaudieuleftthemtoputupthehorseataneighboringinn，”whatamItodo？Willyouagreetothecolloquy？””Ofcourse，”repliedCalvin。”Anditisyou，myson，whowillfightforusthere。Beperemptory，bearbitrary。Noone，neitherthequeennortheGuisesnorI，wantsapacification；itwouldnotsuitusatall。IhaveconfidenceinDuplessis-Mornay；lethimplaytheleadingpart。Arewealone？”headded，withaglanceofdistrustintothekitchen，wheretwoshirtsandafewcollarswerestretchedonalinetodry。”Goandshutallthedoors。Well，”hecontinuedwhenTheodorehadreturned，”wemustdrivethekingofNavarretojointheGuisesandtheConnetablebyadvisinghimtobreakwithQueenCatherinede’
Medici。Letusallgetthebenefitofthatpoorcreature’sweakness。
IfheturnsagainsttheItalianshewill，whensheseesherselfdeprivedofthatsupport，necessarilyunitewiththePrincedeCondeandColigny。Perhapsthismanoeuvrewillsocompromiseherthatshewillbeforcedtoremainonourside。”
TheodoredeBezecaughtthehemofCalvin’scassockandkissedit。”Oh！mymaster，”heexclaimed，”howgreatyouare！””Unfortunately，mydearTheodore，Iamdying。IfIdiewithoutseeingyouagain，”headded，sinkinghisvoiceandspeakingintheearofhisministerofforeignaffairs，”remembertostrikeagreatblowbythehandofsomeoneofourmartyrs。””AnotherMinardtobekilled？””Somethingbetterthanamerelawyer。””Aking？””Stillbetter！——amanwhowantstobeaking。””TheDucdeGuise！”exclaimedTheodore，withaninvoluntarygesture。”Well？”criedCalvin，whothoughthesawdisappointmentorresistanceinthegesture，anddidnotseeatthesamemomenttheentranceofChaudieu。”Havewenottherighttostrikeaswearestruck？——yes，tostrikeinsilenceandindarkness。Maywenotreturnthemwoundforwound，anddeathfordeath？WouldtheCatholicshesitatetolaytrapsforusandmassacreus？Assuredlynot。Letusburntheirchurches！
Forward，mychildren！Andifyouhavedevotedyouths——””Ihave，”saidChaudieu。”Usethemasenginesofwar！ourcausejustifiesallmeans。LeBalafre，thathorriblesoldier，is，likeme，morethanaman；heisadynasty，justasIamasystem。Heisabletoannihilateus；
therefore，Isay，DeathtotheGuise！””Iwouldratherhaveapeacefulvictory，wonbytimeandreason，”saiddeBeze。”Time！”exclaimedCalvin，dashinghischairtotheground，”reason！
Areyoumad？Canreasonachieveconquests？Youknownothingofmen，youwhodealwiththem，idiot！Thethingthatinjuresmydoctrine，youtriplefool！isthereasonthatisinit。BythelightningofSaul，bytheswordofVengeance，thoupumpkin-head，doyounotseethevigorgiventomyReformbythemassacreatAmboise？Ideasnevergrowtilltheyarewateredwithblood。TheslayingoftheDucdeGuisewillleadtoahorriblepersecution，andIprayforitwithallmymight。Ourreversesarepreferabletosuccess。TheReformationhasanobjecttogaininbeingattacked；doyouhearme，dolt？Itcannothurtustobedefeated，whereasCatholicismisatanendifweshouldwinbutasinglebattle。Ha！whataremylieutenants？——rags，wetragsinsteadofmen！white-hairedcravens！baptizedapes！OGod，grantmetenyearsmoreoflife！IfIdietoosoonthecauseoftruereligionislostinthehandsofsuchboobies！YouareasgreatafoolasAntoinedeNavarre！Outofmysight！Leaveme；Iwantabetternegotiatorthanyou！Youareanass，apopinjay，apoet！Goandmakeyourelegiesandyouracrostics，youtrifler！Hence！”
Thepainsofhisbodywereabsolutelyovercomebythefireofhisanger；eventhegoutsubsidedunderthishorribleexcitementofhismind。Calvin’sfaceflushedpurple，liketheskybeforeastorm。Hisvastbrowshone。Hiseyesflamed。Hewasnolongerhimself。Hegavewayutterlytothespeciesofepilepticmotion，fullofpassion，whichwascommonwithhim。Butintheverymidstofithewasstruckbytheattitudeofthetwowitnesses；then，ashecaughtthewordsofChaudieusayingtodeBeze，”TheBurningBush！”hesatdown，wassilent，andcoveredhisfacewithhistwohands，theknottedveinsofwhichwerethrobbinginspiteoftheircoarsetexture。
Someminuteslater，stillshakenbythisstormraisedwithinhimbythecontinenceofhislife，hesaidinavoiceofemotion:——”Mysins，whicharemany，costmelesstroubletosubdue，thanmyimpatience。Oh，savagebeast！shallInevervanquishyou？”hecried，beatinghisbreast。”Mydearmaster，”saiddeBeze，inatendervoice，takingCalvin’shandandkissingit，”Jupiterthunders，butheknowshowtosmile。”
Calvinlookedathisdisciplewithasoftenedeyeandsaid:——”Understandme，myfriends。””Iunderstandthatthepastorsofpeoplesbeargreatburdens，”repliedTheodore。”Youhaveaworlduponyourshoulders。””Ihavethreemartyrs，”saidChaudieu，whomthemaster’soutbursthadrenderedthoughtful，”onwhomwecanrely。Stuart，whokilledMinard，isatliberty——””Youaremistaken，”saidCalvin，gently，smilingafterthemannerofgreatmenwhobringfairweatherintotheirfacesasthoughtheywereashamedofthepreviousstorm。”Iknowhumannature；amanmaykillonepresident，butnottwo。””Isitabsolutelynecessary？”askeddeBeze。”Again！”exclaimedCalvin，hisnostrilsswelling。”Come，leaveme，youwilldrivemetofury。Takemydecisiontothequeen。You，Chaudieu，goyourway，andholdyourflocktogetherinParis。Godguideyou！
Dinah，lightmyfriendstothedoor。””Willyounotpermitmetoembraceyou？”saidTheodore，muchmoved。”Whoknowswhatmayhappentousonthemorrow？Wemaybeseizedinspiteofoursafe-conduct。””Andyetyouwanttosparethem！”criedCalvin，embracingdeBeze。
ThenhetookChaudieu’shandandsaid:”Aboveall，noHuguenots，noReformers，but/Calvinists/！UsenotermbutCalvinism。Alas！thisisnotambition，forIamdying，——butitisnecessarytodestroythewholeofLuther，eventothenameofLutheranandLutheranism。””Ah！mandivine，”criedChaudieu，”youwelldeservesuchhonors。””Maintaintheuniformityofthedoctrine；letnoonehenceforthchangeorremarkit。Wearelostifnewsectsissuefromourbosom。”
WewillhereanticipatetheeventsonwhichthisStudyisbased，andclosethehistoryofTheodoredeBeze，whowenttoPariswithChaudieu。ItistoberemarkedthatPoltrot，whofiredattheDucdeGuisefifteenmonthslater，confessedundertorturethathehadbeenurgedtothecrimebyTheodoredeBeze；thoughheretractedthatavowalduringsubsequenttortures；sothatBossuet，afterweighingallhistoricalconsiderations，feltobligedtoacquitBezeofinstigatingthecrime。SinceBossuet’stime，however，anapparentlyfutiledissertation，aproposofacelebratedsong，hasledacompileroftheeighteenthcenturytoprovethattheversesonthedeathoftheDucdeGuise，sungbytheHuguenotsfromoneendofFrancetotheother，wastheworkofTheodoredeBeze；anditisalsoprovedthatthefamoussongontheburialofMarlboroughwasaplagiarismonit。[*]
[*]OneofthemostremarkableinstancesofthetransmissionofsongsisthatofMarlborough。WritteninthefirstinstancebyaHuguenotonthedeathoftheDucdeGuisein1563，itwaspreservedintheFrencharmy，andappearstohavebeensungwithvariations，suppressions，andadditionsatthedeathofallgeneralsofimportance。Whentheintestinewarswereoverthesongfollowedthesoldiersintocivillife。Itwasneverforgottenthoughthehabitofsingingitmayhavelessened，andin1781，sixtyyearsafterthedeathofMarlborough，thewet-nurseoftheDauphinwasheardtosingitasshesuckledhernursling。WhenandwhythenameoftheDukeofMarlboroughwassubstitutedforthatoftheDucdeGuisehasneverbeenascertained。See”ChansonsPopulaires，”parCharlesNisard:Paris，Dentu，1867——Tr。
XIV
CATHERINEINPOWER
ThedayonwhichTheodoredeBezeandChaudieuarrivedinParis，thecourtreturnedfromRheims，whereCharlesIX。wascrowned。Thisceremony，whichCatherinemademagnificentwithsplendidfetes，enabledhertogatherabouthertheleadersofthevariousparties。
Havingstudiedallinterestsandallfactions，shefoundherselfwithtwoalternativesfromwhichtochoose；eithertorallythemalltothethrone，ortopitthemoneagainsttheother。TheConnetabledeMontmorency，supremelyCatholic，whosenephew，thePrincedeConde，wasleaderoftheReformers，andwhosesonswereinclinedtothenewreligion，blamedtheallianceofthequeen-motherwiththeReformation。TheGuises，ontheirside，wereendeavoringtogainoverAntoinedeBourbon，kingofNavarre，aweakprince；amanoeuvrewhichhiswife，Jeanned’Albret，instructedbydeBeze，allowedtosucceed。
ThedifficultieswereplaintoCatherine，whosedawningpowerneededaperiodoftranquillity。ShethereforeimpatientlyawaitedCalvin’sreplytothemessagewhichthePrincedeConde，thekingofNavarre，Coligny，d’Andelot，andtheCardinaldeChatillonhadsenthimthroughdeBezeandChaudieu。Meantime，however，shewasfaithfultoherpromisesastothePrincedeConde。ThechancellorputanendtotheproceedingsinwhichChristophewasinvolvedbyreferringtheaffairtotheParliamentofParis，whichatoncesetasidethejudgmentofthecommittee，declaringitwithoutpowertotryaprinceoftheblood。TheParliamentthenreopenedthetrial，attherequestoftheGuisesandthequeen-mother。Lasagne’spapershadalreadybeengiventoCatherine，whoburnedthem。Thegivingupofthesepaperswasafirstpledge，uselesslymadebytheGuisestothequeen-mother。TheParliament，nolongerabletotakecognizanceofthosedecisiveproofs，reinstatedtheprinceinallhisrights，property，andhonors。
Christophe，releasedduringthetumultatOrleansonthedeathoftheking，wasacquittedinthefirstinstance，andappointed，incompensationforhissufferings，solicitortotheParliament，attherequestofhisgodfatherMonsieurdeThou。
TheTriumvirate，thatcomingcoalitionofself-intereststhreatenedbyCatherine’sfirstacts，wasnowformingitselfunderherveryeyes。
Justasinchemistryantagonisticsubstancesseparateatthefirstshockwhichjarstheirenforcedunion，soinpoliticstheallianceofopposinginterestsneverlasts。CatherinethoroughlyunderstoodthatsoonerorlatersheshouldreturntotheGuisesandcombinewiththemandtheConnetabletodobattleagainsttheHuguenots。Theproposed”colloquy”whichtemptedthevanityoftheoratorsofallparties，andofferedanimposingspectacletosucceedthatofthecoronationandenliventhebloodygroundofareligiouswarwhich，inpointoffact，hadalreadybegun，wasasfutileintheeyesoftheDucdeGuiseasinthoseofCatherine。TheCatholicswould，inonesensebeworsted；fortheHuguenots，underpretextofconferring，wouldbeabletoproclaimtheirdoctrine，withthesanctionofthekingandhismother，totheearsofallFrance。TheCardinaldeLorraine，flatteredbyCatherineintotheideaofdestroyingtheheresybytheeloquenceoftheChurch，persuadedhisbrothertoconsent；andthusthequeenobtainedwhatwasall-essentialtoher，sixmonthsofpeace。
Aslightevent，occurringatthistime，camenearcompromisingthepowerwhichCatherinehadsopainfullybuiltup。Thefollowingscene，preservedinhistory，tookplace，ontheverydaytheenvoysreturnedfromGeneva，inthehoteldeColignyneartheLouvre。Athiscoronation，CharlesIX。，whowasgreatlyattachedtohistutorAmyot，appointedhimgrand-almonerofFrance。ThisaffectionwassharedbyhisbrothertheDucd’Anjou，afterwardsHenriIII。，anotherofAnjou’spupils。CatherineheardthenewsofthisappointmentfromthetwoGondisduringthejourneyfromRheimstoParis。ShehadcountedonthatofficeinthegiftoftheCrowntogainasupporterintheChurchwithwhomtoopposetheCardinaldeLorraine。HerchoicehadfallenontheCardinaldeTournon，inwhomsheexpectedtofind，asinl’Hopital，another/crutch/——thewordisherown。AssoonasshereachedtheLouvreshesentforthetutor，andherangerwassuch，onseeingthedisastertoherpolicycausedbytheambitionofthissonofashoemaker，thatshewasbetrayedintousingthefollowingextraordinarylanguage，whichseveralmemoirsofthedayhavehandeddowntous:——”What！”shecried，”amI，whocompeltheGuises，theColignys，theConnetables，thehouseofNavarre，thePrincedeConde，toservemyends，amItobeopposedbyapriestlinglikeyouwhoarenotsatisfiedtobebishopofAuxerre？”
Amyotexcusedhimself。Heassuredthequeenthathehadaskednothing；
thekingofhisownwillhadgivenhimtheofficeofwhichhe，thesonofapoortailor，felthimselfquiteunworthy。”Beassured，/maitre/，”repliedCatherinethatbeingthenamewhichthetwokings，CharlesIX。andHenriIII。，gavetothegreatwriter”thatyouwillnotstandonyourfeettwenty-fourhourshence，unlessyoumakeyourpupilchangehismind。”
Betweenthedeaththusthreatenedandtheresignationofthehighestecclesiasticalofficeinthegiftofthecrown，thesonoftheshoemaker，whohadlatelybecomeextremelyeagerafterhonors，andmayevenhavecovetedacardinal’shat，thoughtitprudenttotemporize。
HeleftthecourtandhidhimselfintheabbeyofSaint-Germain。WhenCharlesIX。didnotseehimathisfirstdinner，heaskedwherehewas。SomeGuisarddoubtlesstoldhimofwhathadoccurredbetweenAmyotandthequeen-mother。”HashebeenforcedtodisappearbecauseImadehimgrand-almoner？”
criedtheking。
Hethereuponrushedtohismotherintheviolentwrathofangrychildrenwhentheircapricesareopposed。”Madame，”hesaidonentering，”didInotkindlysigntheletteryouaskedmetosendtoParliament，bymeansofwhichyougovernmykingdom？DidyounotpromisethatifIdidsomywillshouldbeyours？
Andhere，thefirstfavorthatIwishtobestowexcitesyourjealousy！
Thechancellortalksofdeclaringmymajorityatfourteen，threeyearsfromnow，andyouwishtotreatmeasachild。ByGod，Iwillbeking，andakingasmyfatherandgrandfatherwerekings！”
ThetoneandmannerinwhichthesewordsweresaidgaveCatherinearevelationofherson’struecharacter；itwaslikeablowinthebreast。”Hespeakstomethus，hewhomImadeaking！”shethought。”Monsieur，”shesaidaloud，”theofficeofaking，intimeslikethese，isaverydifficultone；youdonotyetknowtheshrewdmenwithwhomyouhavetodeal。Youwillneverhaveasaferandmoresincerefriendthanyourmother，orbetterservantsthanthosewhohavebeensolongattachedtoherperson，withoutwhoseservicesyoumightperhapsnotevenexistto-day。TheGuiseswantbothyourlifeandyourthrone，besureofthat。Iftheycouldsewmeintoasackandflingmeintotheriver，”shesaid，pointingtotheSeine，”itwouldbedoneto-night。TheyknowthatIamalionessdefendingheryoung，andthatIalonepreventtheirdaringhandsfromseizingyourcrown。
Towhom——towhosepartydoesyourtutorbelong？Whoarehisallies？
Whatauthorityhashe？Whatservicescanhedoyou？Whatweightdohiswordscarry？Insteadoffindingaproptosustainyourpower，youhavecutthegroundfromunderit。TheCardinaldeLorraineisalivingthreattoyou；heplaystheking；hekeepshishatonhisheadbeforetheprincesoftheblood；itwasurgentlynecessarytoinvestanothercardinalwithpowersgreaterthanhisown。Butwhathaveyoudone？IsAmyot，thatshoemaker，fitonlytotietheribbonsofhisshoes，ishecapableofmakingheadagainsttheGuiseambition？However，youloveAmyot，youhaveappointedhim；yourwillmustnowbedone，monsieur。
Butbeforeyoumakesuchgiftsagain，Iprayyoutoconsultmeinaffectionategoodfaith。Listentoreasonsofstate；andyourowngoodsenseasachildmayperhapsagreewithmyoldexperience，whenyoureallyunderstandthedifficultiesthatliebeforeyou。””ThenIcanhavemymasterbackagain？”criedtheking，notlisteningtohismother’swords，whichheconsideredtobemerereproaches。”Yes，youshallhavehim，”shereplied。”Butitisnothere，northatbrutalCypierrewhowillteachyouhowtoreign。””Itisforyoutodoso，mydearmother，”saidtheboy，mollifiedbyhisvictoryandrelaxingthesurlyandthreateninglookstampedbynatureuponhiscountenance。
CatherinesentGonditorecallthenewgrand-almoner。WhentheItaliandiscoveredtheplaceofAmyot’sretreat，andthebishopheardthatthecourtierwassentbythequeen，hewasseizedwithterrorandrefusedtoleavetheabbey。InthisextremityCatherinewasobligedtowritetohimherself，insuchtermsthathereturnedtoParisandreceivedfromherownlipstheassuranceofherprotection，——oncondition，however，thathewouldblindlypromoteherwisheswithCharlesIX。
Thislittledomestictempestover，thequeen，nowre-establishedintheLouvreafteranabsenceofmorethanayear，heldcouncilwithherclosestfriendsastotheproperconducttopursuewiththeyoungkingwhomCypierrehadcomplimentedonhisfirmness。”Whatisbesttobedone？”shesaidtothetwoGondis，Ruggiero，Birago，andChiverniwhohadlatelybecomegovernorandchancellortotheDucd’Anjou。”Beforeallelse，”repliedBirago，”getridofCypierre。Heisnotacourtier；hewillneveraccommodatehimselftoyourideas，andwillthinkhedoeshisdutyinthwartingyou。””WhomcanItrust？”criedthequeen。”Oneofus，”saidBirago。”Onmyhonor！”exclaimedGondi，”I’llpromiseyoutomakethekingasdocileasthekingofNavarre。””Youallowedthelatekingtoperishtosaveyourotherchildren，”
saidAlbertdeGondi。”Do，then，asthegreatsignorsofConstantinopledo，——diverttheangerandamusethecapricesofthepresentking。Helovesartandpoetryandhunting，alsoalittlegirlhesawatOrleans；/there’s/occupationenoughforhim。””Willyoureallybetheking’sgovernor？”saidCatherinetotheablestoftheGondis。”Yes，ifyouwillgivemethenecessaryauthority；youmayevenbeobligedtomakememarshalofFranceandaduke。Cypierreisaltogethertoosmallamantoholdtheoffice。Infuture，thegovernorofakingofFranceshouldbeofsomegreatdignity，likethatofdukeandmarshal。””Heisright，”saidBirago。”Poetandhuntsman，”saidCatherineinadreamytone。”Wewillhuntandmakelove！”criedGondi。”Moreover，”remarkedChiverni，”youaresureofAmyot，whowillalwaysfearpoisonincaseofdisobedience；sothatyouandheandGondicanholdthekinginleading-strings。””Amyothasdeeplyoffendedme，”saidCatherine。”Hedoesnotknowwhatheowestoyou；ifhedidknow，youwouldbeindanger，”repliedBirago，gravely，emphasizinghiswords。”Then，itisagreed，”exclaimedCatherine，onwhomBirago’sreplymadeapowerfulimpression，”thatyou，Gondi，aretobetheking’sgovernor。MysonmustconsenttodoforoneofmyfriendsafavorequaltotheoneIhavejustpermittedforhisknaveofabishop。Thatfoolhaslostthehat；fornever，aslongasIlive，willIconsentthatthePopeshallgiveittohim！HowstrongwemighthavebeenwithCardinaldeTournon！WhatatriowithTournonforgrand-almoner，andl’Hopital，anddeThou！AsfortheburghersofParis，Iintendtomakemysoncajolethem；wewillgetasupportthere。”
Accordingly，AlbertdeGondibecameamarshalofFranceandwascreatedDucdeRetzandgovernorofthekingafewdayslater。
Atthemomentwhenthislittleprivatecouncilended，CardinaldeTournonannouncedtothequeenthearrivaloftheemissariessenttoCalvin。AdmiralColignyaccompaniedthepartyinorderthathispresencemightensurethemduerespectattheLouvre。Thequeengatheredtheformidablephalanxofhermaidsofhonorabouther，andpassedintothereceptionhall，builtbyherhusband，whichnolongerexistsintheLouvreofto-day。
AttheperiodofwhichwewritethestaircaseoftheLouvreoccupiedtheclocktower。Catherine’sapartmentswereintheoldbuildingswhichstillexistinthecourtoftheMusee。Thepresentstaircaseofthemuseumwasbuiltinwhatwasformerlythe/salledesballets/。Theballetofthosedayswasasortofdramaticentertainmentperformedbythewholecourt。
RevolutionarypassionsgaverisetoamostlaughableerroraboutCharlesIX。，inconnectionwiththeLouvre。DuringtheRevolutionhostileopinionsastothisking，whoserealcharacterwasmasked，madeamonsterofhim。JosephChenierstragedywaswrittenundertheinfluenceofcertainwordsscratchedonthewindowoftheprojectingwingoftheLouvre，lookingtowardthequay。Thewordswereasfollows:”ItwasfromthiswindowthatCharlesIX。，ofexecrablememory，fireduponFrenchcitizens。”ItiswelltoinformfuturehistoriansandallsensiblepersonsthatthisportionoftheLouvre——
calledto-daytheoldLouvre——whichprojectsuponthequayandisconnectedwiththeLouvrebytheroomcalledtheApollogallerywhilethegreathallsoftheMuseumconnecttheLouvrewiththeTuileries
didnotexistinthetimeofCharlesIX。Thegreaterpartofthespacewherethefrontageonthequaynowstands，andwheretheGardenoftheInfantaislaidout，wasthenoccupiedbythehoteldeBourbon，whichbelongedtoandwastheresidenceofthehouseofNavarre。Itwasabsolutelyimpossible，therefore，forCharlesIX。tofirefromtheLouvreofHenriII。uponaboatfullofHuguenotscrossingtheriver，although/atthepresenttime/theSeinecanbeseenfromitswindows。
EveniflearnedmenandlibrariesdidnotpossessmapsoftheLouvremadeinthetimeofCharlesIX。，onwhichitsthenpositionisclearlyindicated，thebuildingitselfrefutestheerror。Allthekingswhoco-operatedintheworkoferectingthisenormousmassofbuildingsneverfailedtoputtheirinitialsorsomespecialmonogramonthepartstheyhadseverallybuilt。Nowthepartwespeakof，thevenerableandnowblackenedwingoftheLouvre，projectingonthequayandoverlookingthegardenoftheInfanta，bearsthemonogramsofHenriIII。andHenriIV。，whicharetotallydifferentfromthatofHenriII。，whoinvariablyjoinedhisHtothetwoC’sofCatherine，formingaD，——which，bythebye，hasconstantlydeceivedsuperficialpersonsintofancyingthatthekingputtheinitialofhismistress，Diane，ongreatpublicbuildings。HenriIV。unitedtheLouvrewithhisownhoteldeBourbon，itsgardenanddependencies。HewasthefirsttothinkofconnectingCatherinede’Medici’spalaceoftheTuilerieswiththeLouvrebyhisunfinishedgalleries，theprecioussculpturesofwhichhavebeensocruellyneglected。EvenifthemapofParis，andthemonogramsofHenriIII。andHenriIV。didnotexist，thedifferenceofarchitectureisrefutationenoughtothecalumny。ThevermiculatedstonecopingsofthehoteldelaForcemarkthetransitionbetweenwhatiscalledthearchitectureoftheRenaissanceandthatofHenriIII。，HenriIV。，andLouisXIII。ThisarchaeologicaldigressioncontinuingthesketchesofoldPariswithwhichwebeganthishistoryenablesustopicturetoourmindsthethenappearanceofthisothercorneroftheoldcity，ofwhichnothingnowremainsbutHenriIV。’sadditiontotheLouvre，withitsadmirablebas-reliefs，nowbeingrapidlyannihilated。
WhenthecourtheardthatthequeenwasabouttogiveanaudiencetoTheodoredeBezeandChaudieu，presentedbyAdmiralColigny，allthecourtierswhohadtherightofentrancetothereceptionhall，hastenedthithertowitnesstheinterview。Itwasaboutsixo’clockintheevening；Colignyhadjustsupped，andwasusingatoothpickashecameupthestaircaseoftheLouvrebetweenthetwoReformers。Thepracticeofusingatoothpickwassoinveterateahabitwiththeadmiralthathewasseentodoitonthebattle-fieldwhileplanningaretreat。”Distrusttheadmiral’stoothpick，the/No/oftheConnetable，andCatherine’s/Yes/，”wasacourtproverbofthatday。
AftertheSaint-BartholomewthepopulacemadeahorriblejestonthebodyofColigny，whichhungforthreedaysatMontfaucon，byputtingagrotesquetoothpickintohismouth。Historyhasrecordedthisatrociouslevity。SopettyanactdoneinthemidstofthatgreatcatastrophepicturestheParisianpopulace，whichdeservesthesarcasticjibeofBoileau:”Frenchmen，born/malin/，createdtheguillotine。”TheParisianofalltimecracksjokesandmakeslampoonsbefore，during，andafterthemosthorriblerevolutions。
TheodoredeBezeworethedressofacourtier，blacksilkstockings，lowshoeswithstrapsacrosstheinstep，tightbreeches，ablacksilkdoubletwithslashedsleeves，andasmallblackvelvetmantle，overwhichlayanelegantwhiteflutedruff。Hisbeardwastrimmedtoamoustacheand/virgule/nowcalledimperialandhecarriedaswordathissideandacaneinhishand。WhosoeverknowsthegalleriesofVersaillesorthecollectionsofOdieuvre，knowsalsohisround，almostjovialfaceandlivelyeyes，surmountedbythebroadforeheadwhichcharacterizedthewritersandpoetsofthatday。DeBezehad，whatservedhimadmirably，anagreeableairandmanner。InthishewasagreatcontrasttoColigny，ofausterecountenance，andtothesour，biliousChaudieu，whochosetowearonthisoccasiontherobeandbandsofaCalvinistminister。
ThescenesthathappeninourdayintheChamberofDeputies，andwhich，nodoubt，happenedintheConvention，willgiveanideaofhow，atthiscourt，atthisepoch，thesemen，whosixmonthslaterweretofighttothedeathinawarwithoutquarter，couldmeetandtalktoeachotherwithcourtesyandevenlaughter。Birago，whowascoldlytoadvisetheSaint-Bartholomew，andCardinaldeLorraine，whochargedhisservantBesme”nottomisstheadmiral，”nowadvancedtomeetColigny；Biragosaying，withasmile:——”Well，mydearadmiral，soyouhavereallytakenuponyourselftopresentthesegentlemenfromGeneva？””Perhapsyouwillcallitacrimein/me/，”repliedtheadmiral，jesting，”whereasifyouhaddoneityourselfyouwouldmakeameritofit。””TheysaythattheSieurCalvinisveryill，”remarkedtheCardinaldeLorrainetoTheodoredeBeze。”Ihopenoonesuspectsusofgivinghimhisbroth。””Ah！monseigneur；itwouldbetoogreatarisk，”replieddeBeze，maliciously。
TheDucdeGuise，whowaswatchingChaudieu，lookedfixedlyathisbrotherandatBirago，whowerebothtakenabackbydeBeze’sanswer。”GoodGod！”remarkedthecardinal，”hereticsarenotdiplomatic！”
Toavoidembarrassment，thequeen，whowasannouncedatthismoment，hadarrangedtoremainstandingduringtheaudience。ShebeganbyspeakingtotheConnetable，whohadpreviouslyremonstratedwithhervehementlyonthescandalofreceivingmessengersfromCalvin。”Yousee，mydearConnetable，”shesaid，”thatIreceivethemwithoutceremony。””Madame，”saidtheadmiral，approachingthequeen，”thesearetwoteachersofthenewreligion，whohavecometoanunderstandingwithCalvin，andwhohavehisinstructionsastoaconferenceinwhichthechurchesofFrancemaybeabletosettletheirdifferences。””ThisisMonsieurdeBeze，towhommywifeismuchattached，”saidthekingofNavarre，comingforwardandtakingdeBezebythehand。”AndthisisChaudieu，”saidthePrincedeConde。”/Myfriend/theDucdeGuiseknowsthesoldier，”headded，lookingatLeBalafre，”perhapshewillnowliketoknowtheminister。”
Thisgasconademadethewholecourtlaugh，evenCatherine。”Faith！”repliedtheDucdeGuise，”Iamenchantedtoseea/gars/whoknowssowellhowtochoosehismenandtoemploythemintheirrightsphere。Oneofyouragents，”hesaidtoChaudieu，”actuallyenduredtheextraordinaryquestionwithoutdyingandwithoutconfessingasinglething。Icallmyselfbrave；butIdon’tknowthatIcouldhaveendureditashedid。””Hum！”mutteredAmbroise，”youdidnotsayawordwhenIpulledthejavelinoutofyourfaceatCalais。”
Catherine，standingatthecentreofasemicircleofthecourtiersandmaidsofhonor，keptsilence。ShewasobservingthetwoReformers，tryingtopenetratetheirmindsas，withtheshrewd，intelligentglanceofherblackeyes，shestudiedthem。”Oneseemstobethescabbard，theothertheblade，”whisperedAlbertdeGondiinherear。”Well，gentlemen，”saidCatherineatlast，unabletorestrainasmile，”hasyourmastergivenyoupermissiontouniteinapublicconference，atwhichyouwillbeconvertedbytheargumentsoftheFathersoftheChurchwhoarethegloryofourState？””WehavenomasterbuttheLord，”saidChaudieu。”ButsurelyyouwillallowsomelittleauthoritytothekingofFrance？”saidCatherine，smiling。”Andmuchtothequeen，”saiddeBeze，bowinglow。”Youwillfind，”continuedthequeen，”thatourmostsubmissivesubjectsareheretics。””Ah，madame！”criedColigny，”wewillindeedendeavortomakeyouanobleandpeacefulkingdom！Europehasprofited，alas！byourinternaldivisions。Forthelastfiftyyearsshehashadtheadvantageofone-
halfoftheFrenchpeoplebeingagainsttheotherhalf。””Areweheretosinganthemstothegloryofheretics，”saidtheConnetable，brutally。”No，buttobringthemtorepentance，”whisperedtheCardinaldeLorraineinhisear；”wewanttocoaxthembyalittlesugar。””DoyouknowwhatIshouldhavedoneunderthelateking？”saidtheConnetable，angrily。”I’dhavecalledintheprovostandhungthosetwoknaves，thenandthere，onthegallowsoftheLouvre。””Well，gentlemen，whoarethelearnedmenwhomyouhaveselectedasouropponents？”inquiredthequeen，imposingsilenceontheConnetablebyalook。”Duplessis-MornayandTheodoredeBezewillspeakonourside，”
repliedChaudieu。”ThecourtwilldoubtlessgotoSaint-Germain，andasitwouldbeimproperthatthis/colloquy/shouldtakeplaceinaroyalresidence，wewillhaveitinthelittletownofPoissy，”saidCatherine。”Shallwebesafethere，madame？”askedChaudieu。”Ah！”repliedthequeen，withasortofnaivete，”youwillsurelyknowhowtotakeprecautions。TheAdmiralwillarrangeallthatwithmycousinstheGuisesanddeMontmorency。””Thedeviltakethem！”criedtheConnetable，”I’llhavenothingtodowithit。””Howdoyoucontrivetogivesuchstrengthofcharactertoyourconverts？”saidthequeen，leadingChaudieuapart。”Thesonofmyfurrierwasactuallysublime。””Wehavefaith，”repliedChaudieu。
Atthismomentthehallpresentedasceneofanimatedgroups，alldiscussingthequestionoftheproposedassembly，towhichthefewwordssaidbythequeenhadalreadygiventhenameofthe”ColloquyofPoissy。”CatherineglancedatChaudieuandwasabletosaytohimunheard:——”Yes，anewfaith！””Ah，madame，ifyouwerenotblindedbyyouralliancewiththecourtofRome，youwouldseethatwearereturningtothetruedoctrinesofJesusChrist，who，recognizingtheequalityofsouls，bestowsuponallmenequalrightsonearth。””DoyouthinkyourselftheequalofCalvin？”askedthequeen，shrewdly。”No，no；weareequalsonlyinchurch。What！wouldyouunbindthetieofthepeopletothethrone？”shecried。”Thenyouarenotonlyheretics，youarerevolutionists，——rebelsagainstobediencetothekingasyouareagainstthattothePope！”Sosaying，sheleftChaudieuabruptlyandreturnedtoTheodoredeBeze。”Icountonyou，monsieur，”shesaid，”toconductthiscolloquyingoodfaith。Takeallthetimeyouneed。””Ihadsupposed，”saidChaudieutothePrincedeConde，theKingofNavarre，andAdmiralColigny，astheyleftthehall，”thatagreatStatematterwouldbetreatedmoreseriously。””Oh！weknowverywellwhatyouwant，”exclaimedthePrincedeConde，exchangingaslylookwithTheodoredeBeze。
Theprincenowlefthisadherentstoattendarendezvous。Thisgreatleaderofapartywasalsooneofthemostfavoredgallantsofthecourt。Thetwochoicebeautiesofthatdaywereeventhenstrivingwithsuchdesperateeagernessforhisaffectionsthatoneofthem，theMarechaledeSaint-Andre，thewifeofthefuturetriumvir，gavehimherbeautifulestateofSaint-Valery，hopingtowinhimawayfromtheDuchessedeGuise，thewifeofthemanwhohadtriedtotakehisheadonthescaffold。Theduchess，notbeingabletodetachtheDucdeNemoursfromMademoiselledeRohan，fellinlove，/enattendant/，withtheleaderoftheReformers。”WhatacontrasttoGeneva！”saidChaudieutoTheodoredeBeze，astheycrossedthelittlebridgeoftheLouvre。”ThepeopleherearecertainlygayerthantheGenevese。Idon’tseewhytheyshouldbesotreacherous，”replieddeBeze。”Totreacheryopposetreachery，”repliedChaudieu，whisperingthewordsinhiscompanion’sear。”Ihave/saints/inParisonwhomIcanrely，andIintendtomakeCalvinaprophet。ChristopheLecamusshalldeliverusfromourmostdangerousenemy。””Thequeen-mother，forwhomthepoordevilenduredhistorture，hasalready，withahighhand，causedhimtobeappointedsolicitortotheParliament；andsolicitorsmakebetterprosecutorsthanmurderers。
Don’tyourememberhowAvenellesbetrayedthesecretsofourfirstuprising？””IknowChristophe，”saidChaudieu，inapositivetone，asheturnedtoleavetheenvoyfromGeneva。
XV
COMPENSATION
AfewdaysafterthereceptionofCalvin’semissariesbythequeen，thatistosay，towardthecloseoftheyearfortheyearthenbeganatEasterandthepresentcalendarwasnotadopteduntillaterinthereignofCharlesIX。，Christophereclinedinaneasychairbesidethefireinthelargebrownhall，dedicatedtofamilylife，thatoverlookedtheriverinhisfather’shouse，wherethepresentdramawasbegun。Hisfeetrestedonastool；hismotherandBabetteLallierhadjustrenewedthecompresses，saturatedwithasolutionbroughtbyAmbroisePare，whowaschargedbyCatherinede’Medicitotakecareoftheyoungman。Oncerestoredtohisfamily，Christophebecametheobjectofthemostdevotedcare。Babette，authorizedbyherfather，cameverymorningandonlylefttheLecamushouseholdatnight。
Christophe，theadmirationoftheapprentices，gaverisethroughoutthequartertovarioustales，whichinvestedhimwithmysteriouspoesy。Hehadbornetheworsttorture；thecelebratedAmbroiseParewasemployingallhisskilltocurehim。Whatgreatdeedhadhedonetobethustreated？NeitherChristophenorhisfathersaidawordonthesubject。Catherine，thenall-powerful，wasconcernedintheirsilenceaswellasthePrincedeConde。TheconstantvisitsofPare，nowchiefsurgeonofboththekingandthehouseofGuise，whomthequeen-motherandtheLorrainsallowedtotreatayouthaccusedofheresy，strangelycomplicatedanaffairthroughwhichnoonesawclearly。Moreover，therectorofSaint-Pierre-aux-Boeufscameseveraltimestovisitthesonofhischurch-warden，andthesevisitsmadethecausesofChristophe’spresentconditionstillmoreunintelligibletohisneighbors。
Theoldsyndic，whohadhisplan，gaveevasiveanswerstohisbrother-
furriers，themerchantsoftheneighborhood，andtoallfriendswhospoketohimofhisson:”Yes，Iamverythankfultohavesavedhim。”——”Well，youknow，itwon’tdotoputyourfingerbetweenthebarkandthetree。”——”Mysontouchedfireandcamenearburningupmyhouse。”——”Theytookadvantageofhisyouth；weburghersgetnothingbutshameandevilbyfrequentingthegrandees。”——”ThisaffairdecidesmetomakealawyerofChristophe；thepracticeoflawwillteachhimtoweighhiswordsandhisacts。”——”Theyoungqueen，whoisnowinScotland，hadagreatdealtodowithit；butthen，tobesure，mysonmayhavebeenimprudent。”——”Ihavehadcruelanxieties。”——”Allthismaydecidemetogiveupmybusiness；Idonotwishevertogotocourtagain。”——”MysonhashadenoughoftheReformation；ithascrackedallhisjoints。IfithadnotbeenforAmbroise，Idon’tknowwhatwouldhavebecomeofme。”
Thankstotheseambiguousremarksandtothegreatdiscretionofsuchconduct，itwasgenerallyaverredintheneighborhoodthatChristophehadseentheerrorofhisways；everybodythoughtitnaturalthattheoldsyndicshouldwishtogethissonappointedtotheParliament，andtherector’svisitsnolongerseemedextraordinary。Astheneighborsreflectedontheoldman’sanxietiestheynolongerthought，astheywouldotherwisehavedone，thathisambitionwasinordinate。Theyounglawyer，whohadlainhelplessformonthsonthebedwhichhisfamilymadeupforhimintheoldhall，wasnow，forthelastweek，abletoriseandmoveaboutbytheaidofcrutches。Babette’sloveandhismother’stendernesshaddeeplytouchedhisheart；andthey，whiletheyhadhimhelplessintheirhands，lecturedhimseverelyonreligion。
PresidentdeThoupaidhisgodsonavisitduringwhichheshowedhimselfmostfatherly。Christophe，beingnowasolicitoroftheParliament，mustofcourse，hesaid，beCatholic；hisoathwouldbindhimtothat；andthepresident，whoassumednottodoubtofhisgodson’sorthodoxy，endedhisremarksbysayingwithgreatearnestness:”Myson，youhavebeencruellytried。IammyselfignorantofthereasonswhichmadetheMessieursdeGuisetreatyouthus；butIadviseyouinfuturetolivepeacefully，withoutenteringintothetroublesofthetimes；forthefavorofthekingandqueenwillnotbeshowntothemakersofrevolt。YouarenotimportantenoughtoplayfastandloosewiththekingastheGuisesdo。IfyouwishtobesomedaycounsellortotheParliamentrememberthatyoucannotobtainthatnobleofficeunlessbyarealandseriousattachmenttotheroyalcause。”
Nevertheless，neitherPresidentdeThou’svisit，northeseductionsofBabette，northeurgencyofhismother，weresufficienttoshaketheconstancyofthemartyroftheReformation。Christopheheldtohisreligionallthemorebecausehehadsufferedforit。”Myfatherwillneverletmemarryaheretic，”whisperedBabetteinhisear。
Christopheansweredonlybytears，whichmadetheyounggirlsilentandthoughtful。
OldLecamusmaintainedhispaternalandmagisterialdignity；heobservedhissonandsaidlittle。Thesternoldman，afterrecoveringhisdearChristophe，wasdissatisfiedwithhimself；herepentedthetendernesshehadshownforthisonlyson；butheadmiredhimsecretly。Atnoperiodofhislifedidthesyndicpullmorewirestoreachhisends，forhesawthefieldripefortheharvestsopainfullysown，andhewantedtogatherthewholeofit。Somedaysbeforethemorningofwhichwewrite，hehadhad，beingalonewithChristophe，alongconversationwithhiminwhichheendeavoredtodiscoverthesecretreasonoftheyoungman’sresistance。Christophe，whowasnotwithoutambition，betrayedhisfaithinthePrincedeConde。Thegenerouspromiseoftheprince，who，ofcourse，wasonlyexercisinghisprofessionofprince，remainedgravenonhisheart；littledidhethinkthatCondehadsenthim，mentally，tothedevilinOrleans，muttering，”AGasconwouldhaveunderstoodmebetter，”whenChristophecalledoutatouchingfarewellastheprincepassedthewindowofhisdungeon。
Butbesidesthissentimentofadmirationfortheprince，Christophehadalsoconceivedaprofoundreverenceforthegreatqueen，whohadexplainedtohimbyasinglelookthenecessitywhichcompelledhertosacrificehim；andwhoduringhisagonyhadgivenhimanillimitablepromiseinasingletear。Duringthesilentmonthsofhisweakness，ashelaytherewaitingforrecovery，hethoughtovereacheventatBloisandatOrleans。Heweighed，onemightalmostsayinspiteofhimself，therelativeworthofthesetwoprotections。Hefloatedbetweenthequeenandtheprince。HehadcertainlyservedCatherinemorethanhehadservedtheReformation，andinayoungmanbothheartandmindwouldnaturallyinclinetowardthequeen；lessbecauseshewasaqueenthanbecauseshewasawoman。Undersuchcircumstancesamanwillalwayshopemorefromawomanthanfromaman。”Isacrificedmyselfforher；whatwillshedoforme？”
ThisquestionChristopheputtohimselfalmostinvoluntarilyasherememberedthetoneinwhichshehadsaidthewords，/Poveromio/！Itisdifficulttobelievehowegotisticalamancanbecomewhenheliesonabedofsickness。Everything，eventheexclusivedevotionofwhichheistheobject，driveshimtothinkonlyofhimself。ByexaggeratinginhisownmindtheobligationwhichthePrincedeCondewasundertohimhehadcometoexpectthatsomeofficewouldbegiventohimatthecourtofNavarre。Stillnewtotheworldofpoliticallife，heforgotitscontendinginterestsandtherapidmarchofeventswhichcontrolandforcethehandofallleadersofparties；heforgotitthemorebecausehewaspracticallyaprisonerinsolitaryconfinementonhisbedinthatoldbrownroom。Eachpartyis，necessarily，ungratefulwhilethestrugglelasts；whenittriumphsithastoomanypersonstorewardnottobeungratefulstill。Soldierssubmittothisingratitude；buttheirleadersturnagainstthenewmasteratwhosesidetheyhaveactedandsufferedlikeequalsforsolong。Christophe，whoalonerememberedhissufferings，felthimselfalreadyamongtheleadersoftheReformationbythefactofhismartyrdom。Hisfather，thatoldfoxofcommerce，soshrewd，soperspicacious，endedbydiviningthesecretthoughtofhisson；consequently，allhismanoeuvreswerenowbasedonthenaturalexpectancytowhichChristophehadyieldedhimself。”Wouldn’titbeafinething，”hehadsaidtoBabette，inpresenceofthefamilyafewdaysbeforehisinterviewwithhisson，”tobethewifeofacounselloroftheParliament？Youwouldbecalled/madame/！””Youarecrazy，/compere/，”saidLallier。”Wherewouldyougettenthousandcrowns’incomefromlandedproperty，whichacounsellormusthave，accordingtolaw；andfromwhomcouldyoubuytheoffice？Noonebutthequeen-motherandregentcouldhelpyoursonintoParliament，andI’mafraidhe’stootaintedwiththenewopinionsforthat。””Whatwouldyoupaytoseeyourdaughterthewifeofacounsellor？””Ah！youwanttolookintomypurse，shrewd-head！”saidLallier。
CounsellortotheParliament！ThewordsworkedpowerfullyinChristophe’sbrain。
Sometimeafterthisconversation，onemorningwhenChristophewasgazingattheriverandthinkingofthescenewhichbeganthishistory，ofthePrincedeConde，Chaudieu，LaRenaudie，ofhisjourneytoBlois，——inshort，thewholestoryofhishopes，——hisfathercameandsatdownbesidehim，scarcelyconcealingajoyfulthoughtbeneathaseriousmanner。”Myson，”hesaid，”afterwhatpassedbetweenyouandtheleadersoftheTumultofAmboise，theyoweyouenoughtomakethecareofyourfutureincumbentonthehouseofNavarre。””Yes，”repliedChristophe。”Well，”continuedhisfather，”IhaveaskedtheirpermissiontobuyalegalpracticeforyouintheprovinceofBearn。OurgoodfriendPareundertooktopresenttheletterswhichIwroteonyourbehalftothePrincedeCondeandthequeenofNavarre。Here，readtheanswerofMonsieurdePibrac，vice-chancellorofNavarre:——
TotheSieurLecamus，/syndicoftheguildoffurriers/:
MonseigneurlePrincedeCondedesiresmetoexpresshisregretthathecannotdowhatyouaskforhislatecompanioninthetowerofSaint-Aignan，whomheperfectlyremembers，andtowhom，meanwhile，heofferstheplaceofgendarmeinhiscompany；whichwillputyoursoninthewayofmakinghismarkasamanofcourage，whichheis。
ThequeenofNavarreawaitsanopportunitytorewardtheSieurChristophe，andwillnotfailtotakeadvantageofit。
Uponwhich，Monsieurlesyndic，weprayGodtohaveyouinHiskeeping。
Pibrac，AtNerac。
ChancellorofNavarre。”Nerac，Pibrac，crack！”criedBabette。”There’snoconfidencetobeplacedinGascons；theythinkonlyofthemselves。”
OldLecamuslookedathisson，smilingscornfully。”Theyproposetoputonhorsebackapoorboywhosekneesandankleswereshatteredfortheirsakes！”criedthemother。”Whatawickedjest！””IshallneverseeyouacounsellorofNavarre，”saidhisfather。”IwishIknewwhatQueenCatherinewoulddoforme，ifImadeaclaimuponher，”saidChristophe，castdownbytheprince’sanswer。”Shemadeyounopromise，”saidtheoldman，”butIamcertainthat/she/willnevermockyouliketheseothers；shewillrememberyoursufferings。Still，howcanthequeenmakeacounselloroftheParliamentoutofaprotestantburgher？””ButChristophehasnotabjured！”criedBabette。”Hecanverywellkeephisprivateopinionssecret。””ThePrincedeCondewouldbelessdisdainfulofacounselloroftheParliament，”saidLallier。”Well，whatsayyou，Christophe？”urgedBabette。”Youarecountingwithoutthequeen，”repliedtheyounglawyer。
Afewdaysafterthisratherbitterdisillusion，anapprenticebroughtChristophethefollowinglaconiclittlemissive:——
Chaudieuwishestoseehisson。”Lethimcomein！”criedChristophe。”Oh！mysacredmartyr！”saidtheminister，embracinghim；”haveyourecoveredfromyoursufferings？””Yes，thankstoPare。””ThanksrathertoGod，whogaveyouthestrengthtoendurethetorture。ButwhatisthisIhear？Haveyouallowedthemtomakeyouasolicitor？Haveyoutakentheoathoffidelity？Surelyyouwillnotrecognizethatprostitute，theRoman，Catholic，andapostolicChurch？””Myfatherwishedit。””Butoughtwenottoleavefathersandmothersandwivesandchildren，all，all，forthesacredcauseofCalvinism；nay，mustwenotsufferallthings？Ah！Christophe，Calvin，thegreatCalvin，thewholeparty，thewholeworld，theFuturecountsuponyourcourageandthegrandeurofyoursoul。Wewantyourlife。”
Itisaremarkablefactinthemindofmanthatthemostdevotedspirits，evenwhiledevotingthemselves，buildromantichopesupontheirperilousenterprises。Whentheprince，thesoldier，andtheministerhadaskedChristophe，underthebridge，toconveytoCatherinethetreatywhich，ifdiscovered，wouldinallprobabilitycosthimhislife，theladhadreliedonhisnerve，uponchance，uponthepowersofhismind，andconfidentinsuchhopeshebravely，nay，audaciouslyputhimselfbetweenthoseterribleadversaries，theGuisesandCatherine。Duringthetorturehestillkeptsayingtohimself:”I
shallcomeoutofit！itisonlypain！”Butwhenthissecondandbrutaldemand，”Die，wewantyourlife，”wasmadeuponaboywhowasstillalmosthelpless，scarcelyrecoveredfromhislatetorture，andclingingallthemoretolifebecausehehadjustseendeathsonear，itwasimpossibleforhimtolaunchintofurtherillusions。
Christopheansweredquietly:——”Whatisitnow？””Tofireapistolcourageously，asStuartdidonMinard。””Onwhom？””TheDucdeGuise。””Amurder？””Avengeance。HaveyouforgottenthehundredgentlemenmassacredonthescaffoldatAmboise？Achildwhosawthatbutchery，thelittled’Aubignecriedout，’TheyhaveslaughteredFrance！’””Youshouldreceivetheblowsofothersandgivenone；thatisthereligionofthegospel，”saidChristophe。”IfyouimitatetheCatholicsintheircruelty，ofwhatgoodisittoreformtheChurch？””Oh！Christophe，theyhavemadeyoualawyer，andnowyouargue！”saidChaudieu。”No，myfriend，”repliedtheyoungman，”butpartiesareungrateful；
andyouwillbe，bothyouandyours，nothingmorethanpuppetsoftheBourbons。””Christophe，ifyoucouldhearCalvin，youwouldknowhowwewearthemlikegloves！TheBourbonsarethegloves，wearethehand。””Readthat，”saidChristophe，givingChaudieuPibrac’slettercontainingtheanswerofthePrincedeConde。”Oh！myson；youareambitious，youcannolongermakethesacrificeofyourself！——Ipityyou！”
WiththosefinewordsChaudieuturnedandlefthim。
Somedaysafterthatscene，theLallierfamilyandtheLecamusfamilyweregatheredtogetherinhonoroftheformalbetrothalofChristopheandBabette，intheoldbrownhall，fromwhichChristophe’sbedhadbeenremoved；forhewasnowabletodraghimselfaboutandevenmountthestairswithouthiscrutches。Itwasnineo’clockintheeveningandthecompanywereawaitingAmbroisePare。Thefamilynotarysatbeforeatableonwhichlayvariouscontracts。Thefurrierwassellinghishouseandbusinesstohishead-clerk，whowastopaydownfortythousandfrancsforthehouseandthenmortgageitassecurityforthepaymentofthegoods，forwhich，however，hepaidtwentythousandfrancsonaccount。
Lecamuswasalsobuyingforhissonamagnificentstonehouse，builtbyPhilibertdel’OrmeintherueSaint-Pierre-aux-Boeufs，whichhegavetoChristopheasamarriageportion。Healsotooktwohundredthousandfrancsfromhisownfortune，andLalliergaveasmuchmore，forthepurchaseofafineseignorialmanorinPicardy，thepriceofwhichwasfivehundredthousandfrancs。AsthismanorwasatenurefromtheCrownitwasnecessarytoobtainletters-patentcalled/rescriptions/grantedbytheking，andalsotomakepaymenttotheCrownofconsiderablefeudaldues。Themarriagehadbeenpostponeduntilthisroyalfavorwasobtained。ThoughtheburghersofParishadlatelyacquiredtherighttopurchasemanors，thewisdomoftheprivycouncilhadbeenexercisedinputtingcertainrestrictionsonthesaleofthoseestateswhichweredependenciesoftheCrown；andtheonewhicholdLecamushadhadinhiseyeforthelastdozenyearswasamongthem。Ambroisewaspledgedtobringtheroyalordinancethatevening；andtheoldfurrierwentandcamefromthehalltothedoorinastateofimpatiencewhichshowedhowgreathislong-repressedambitionhadbeen。Ambroiseatlastappeared。”Myoldfriend！”criedthesurgeon，inanagitatedmanner，withaglanceatthesuppertable，”letmeseeyourlinen。Good。Oh！youmusthavewaxcandles。Quick，quick！getoutyourbestthings！””Why？whatisitallabout？”askedtherectorofSaint-Pierre-aux-
Boeufs。”Thequeen-motherandtheyoungkingarecomingtosupwithyou，”
repliedthesurgeon。”TheyareonlywaitingforanoldcounsellorwhoagreedtosellhisplacetoChristophe，andwithwhomMonsieurdeThouhasconcludedabargain。Don’tappeartoknowanything；IhaveescapedfromtheLouvretowarnyou。”
Inasecondthewholefamilywereastir；Christophe’smotherandBabette’sauntbustledaboutwiththecelerityofhousekeeperssuddenlysurprised。Butinspiteoftheapparentconfusionintowhichthenewshadthrowntheentirefamily，theprecautionswerepromptlymade，withanactivitythatwasnothingshortofmarvellous。
Christophe，amazedandconfoundedbysuchafavor，wasspeechless，gazingmechanicallyatwhatwenton。”Thequeenandkinghereinourhouse！”saidtheoldmother。”Thequeen！”repeatedBabette。”Whatmustwesayanddo？”
Inlessthananhourallwaschanged；thehallwasdecorated；thesupper-tablesparkled。Presentlythenoiseofhorsessoundedinthestreet。Thelightoftorchescarriedbythehorsemenoftheescortbroughtalltheburghersoftheneighborhoodtotheirwindows。Thenoisesoonsubsidedandtheescortrodeaway，leavingthequeen-motherandherson，KingCharlesIX。，CharlesdeGondi，nowGrand-masterofthewardrobeandgovernoroftheking，MonsieurdeThou，Pinard，secretaryofState，theoldcounsellor，andtwopages，underthearcadebeforethedoor。”Myworthypeople，”saidthequeenassheentered，”theking，myson，andIhavecometosignthemarriage-contractofthesonofmyfurrier，——butonlyonconditionthatheremainsaCatholic。AmanmustbeaCatholictoenterParliament；hemustbeaCatholictoownlandwhichderivesfromtheCrown；hemustbeaCatholicifhewouldsitattheking’stable。Thatisso，isitnot，Pinard？”
ThesecretaryofStateenteredandshowedtheletters-patent。”IfwearenotallCatholics，”saidthelittleking，”Pinardwillthrowthosepapersintothefire。ButweareallCatholicshere，I
think，”hecontinued，castinghissomewhathaughtyeyesoverthecompany。”Yes，sire，”repliedChristophe，bendinghisinjuredkneeswithdifficulty，andkissingthehandwhichthekingheldouttohim。
QueenCatherinestretchedoutherhandtoChristopheand，raisinghimhastily，drewhimasideintoacorner，sayinginalowvoice:——”Ahca！mylad，noevasionshere。Areyouplayingabove-boardnow？””Yes，madame，”heanswered，wonbythedazzlingrewardandthehonordonehimbythegratefulqueen。”Verygood。MonsieurLecamus，theking，myson，andIpermityoutopurchasetheofficeofthegoodmanGroslay，counselloroftheParliament，herepresent。Youngman，youwillfollow，Ihope，inthestepsofyourpredecessor。”
DeThouadvancedandsaid:”Iwillanswerforhim，madame。””Verywell；drawupthedeed，notary，”saidPinard。”Inasmuchasthekingourmasterdoesusthefavortosignmydaughter’smarriagecontract，”criedLallier，”Iwillpaythewholepriceofthemanor。””Theladiesmaysitdown，”saidtheyoungking，graciously:”AsaweddingpresenttothebrideIremit，withmymother’sconsent，allmyduesandrightsinthemanor。”
OldLecamusandLallierfellontheirkneesandkissedtheking’shand。”/Mordieu/！sire，whatquantitiesofmoneytheseburghershave！”
whispereddeGondiinhisear。
Theyoungkinglaughed。”AstheirHighnessesaresokind，”saidoldLecamus，”willtheypermitmetopresenttothemmysuccessor，andaskthemtocontinuetohimtheroyalpatentoffurriertotheirMajesties？””Letusseehim，”saidtheking。
Lecamusledforwardhissuccessor，whowaslividwithfear。”Ifmymotherconsents，wewillnowsitdowntotable，”saidthelittleking。
OldLecamushadbethoughthimselfofpresentingtothekingasilvergobletwhichhehadboughtofBenvenutoCelliniwhenthelatterstayedinParisatthehoteldeNesle。Thistreasureofarthadcostthefurriernolessthantwothousandcrowns。”Oh！mydearmother，seethisbeautifulwork！”criedtheyoungking，liftingthegobletbyitsstem。”ItwasmadeinFlorence，”repliedCatherine。”Pardonme，madame，”saidLecamus，”itwasmadeinParisbyaFlorentine。AllthatismadeinFlorencewouldbelongtoyourMajesty；
thatwhichismadeinFranceistheking’s。””Iacceptit，mygoodman，”criedCharlesIX。；”anditshallhenceforthbemyparticulardrinkingcup。””Itisbeautifulenough，”saidthequeen，examiningthemasterpiece，”tobeincludedamongthecrown-jewels。Well，MaitreAmbroise，”shewhisperedinthesurgeon’sear，withaglanceatChristophe，”haveyoutakengoodcareofhim？Willhewalkagain？””Hewillrun，”repliedthesurgeon，smiling。”Ah！youhavecleverlymadehimarenegade。””Ha！”saidthequeen，withthelevityforwhichshehasbeenblamed，thoughitwasonlyonthesurface，”theChurchwon’tstandstillforwantofonemonk！”
Thesupperwasgay；thequeenthoughtBabettepretty，and，intheregalmannerwhichwasnaturaltoher，sheslippeduponthegirl’sfingeradiamondringwhichcompensatedinvalueforthegobletbestowedupontheking。CharlesIX。，whoafterwardsbecamerathertoofondoftheseinvasionsofburgherhomes，suppedwithagoodappetite。
Then，atawordfromhisnewgovernorwho，itissaid，wasinstructedtomakehimforgetthevirtuousteachingsofCypierre，heobligedallthemenpresenttodrinksodeeplythatthequeen，observingthatthegaietywasabouttobecometoonoisy，rosetoleavetheroom。Assherose，Christophe，hisfather，andthetwowomentooktorchesandaccompaniedhertotheshop-door。ThereChristopheventuredtotouchthequeen’swidesleeveandtomakeherasignthathehadsomethingtosay。Catherinestopped，madeagesturetothefatherandthetwowomentoleaveher，andsaid，turningtoChristophe:”Whatisit？””Itmayserveyoutoknow，madame，”repliedChristophe，whisperinginherear，”thattheDucdeGuiseisbeingfollowedbyassassins。””Youarealoyalsubject，”saidCatherine，smiling，”andIshallneverforgetyou。”
Sheheldouttohimherhand，socelebratedforitsbeauty，firstunglovingit，whichwasindeedamarkoffavor，——somuchsothatChristophe，thenandthere，becamealtogetherroyalistashekissedthatadorablehand。”Sotheymeantoridmeofthatbullywithoutmyhavingafingerinit，”thoughtsheasshereplacedherglove。
ThenshemountedhermuleandreturnedtotheLouvre，attendedbyhertwopages。
Christophewentbacktothesupper-table，butwasthoughtfulandgloomyevenwhilehedrank；thefine，austerefaceofAmbroisePareseemedtoreproachhimforhisapostasy。Butsubsequenteventsjustifiedthemanoeuvresoftheoldsyndic。ChristophewouldcertainlynothaveescapedthemassacreofSaint-Bartholomew；hiswealthandhislandedestateswouldhavemadehimamarkforthemurderers。HistoryhasrecordedthecruelfateofthewifeofLallier’ssuccessor，abeautifulwoman，whosenakedbodyhungbythehairforthreedaysfromoneofthebuttressesofthePontauChange。Babettetrembledasshethoughtthatshe，too，mighthaveenduredthesametreatmentifChristophehadcontinuedaCalvinist，——forsuchbecamethenameoftheReformers。Calvin’spersonalambitionwasthusgratified，thoughnotuntilafterhisdeath。
SuchwastheoriginofthecelebratedparliamentaryhouseofLecamus。
TallemantdesReauxisinerrorwhenhestatesthattheycameoriginallyfromPicardy。ItisonlytruethattheLecamusfamilyfounditfortheirinterestinafterdaystodatefromthetimetheoldfurrierboughttheirprincipalestate，which，aswehavesaid，wassituatedinPicardy。Christophe’sson，whosucceededhimunderLouisXIII。，wasthefatheroftherichpresidentLecamuswhobuilt，inthereignofLouisXIV。，thatmagnificentmansionwhichshareswiththehotelLamberttheadmirationofParisiansandforeigners，andwasassuredlyoneofthefinestbuildingsinParis。ItmaystillbeseenintherueThorigny，thoughatthebeginningoftheRevolutionitwaspillagedashavingbelongedtoMonsieurdeJuigne，thearchbishopofParis。Allthedecorationswerethendestroyed；andthetenantswholodgetherehavegreatlydamagedit；neverthelessthispalace，whichisreachedthroughtheoldhouseintheruedelaPelleterie，stillshowsthenobleresultsobtainedinformerdaysbythespiritoffamily。Itmaybedoubtedwhethermodernindividualism，broughtaboutbytheequaldivisionofinheritances，willeverraisesuchnoblebuildings。