12.03.2019 Views

Protestantism in France From Death of Francis I to Edict of Nantes - James Aitken Wylie

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

the outrage m<strong>in</strong>e; but," added he, with his usual<br />

oaths, "I will take such vengeance that it shall<br />

never be effaced from the memory <strong>of</strong> man."<br />

Coligny drew the k<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong>wards him, and<br />

commenced an earnest conversation with him, <strong>in</strong> a<br />

low voice, urg<strong>in</strong>g the policy he had so <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

recommended <strong>to</strong> Charles, that namely <strong>of</strong> assist<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the Pr<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>of</strong> Orange, and so lower<strong>in</strong>g Spa<strong>in</strong> and<br />

elevat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>France</strong> <strong>in</strong> the comicils <strong>of</strong> Europe.<br />

Cather<strong>in</strong>e de Medici, who did not hear what the<br />

admiral was say<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> the k<strong>in</strong>g, abruptly term<strong>in</strong>ated<br />

the <strong>in</strong>terview on pretense that <strong>to</strong> prolong it would<br />

be <strong>to</strong> exhaust the strength and endanger the life <strong>of</strong><br />

Coligny. The K<strong>in</strong>g and Queen-mother now<br />

returned <strong>to</strong> the Louvre at so rapid a pace that they<br />

were unobservant <strong>of</strong> the salutations <strong>of</strong> the<br />

populace, and even omitted the usual devotions <strong>to</strong><br />

the Virg<strong>in</strong> at the corners <strong>of</strong> the streets. On arriv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

at the palace a secret consultation was held, after<br />

which the k<strong>in</strong>g was busied <strong>in</strong> giv<strong>in</strong>g orders, and<br />

mak<strong>in</strong>g up dispatches, with which couriers were<br />

sent <strong>of</strong>f <strong>to</strong> the prov<strong>in</strong>ces. When Charles and his<br />

suite had left Coligny's hotel, the admiral's friends<br />

325

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!