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

idding the Protestants lodge all together in
Coligny's quarter,[8] he appointed a regiment of
the Duke of Anjou to guard that part of Paris.[9]
Thus closely was the net drawn round the
Huguenots. These soldiers were afterwards the
most zealous and cruel of their murderers.[10]
Friday night and Saturday were spent in
consultations on both sides. To a few of the
Protestants the designs of the court were now
transparent, and they advised an instant and
forcible departure from Paris, carrying with them
their wounded chief. Their advice was over-ruled
mainly through the over-confidence of Coligny in
the king's honor, and only a few of the Huguenots
left the city. The deliberations in the Louvre were
more anxious still. The blow, it was considered,
should be struck immediately, else the Huguenots
would escape, or they would betake them to arms.
But as the hour drew near the king appears to have
wavered. Nature or conscience momentarily
awoke. Now that he stood on the precincts of the
colossal crime, he seems to have felt a shudder at
the thought of going on; as well he might, fierce,
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