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

the admiral's lodging. He found Anjou's guards
with their red cloaks, and their lighted matches,
posted round it; they gave the duke with his armed
retinue instant admission into the court-yard. To
slaughter the halberdiers of Navarre, and force
open the inner entrance of the admiral's lodgings,
was the work of but a few minutes. They next
mountd the stairs, while the duke and his
gentlemen remained below. Awakened by the
noise, the admiral got out of bed, and wrapping his
dressing-gown round him and leaning against the
wall, he bade Merlin, his minister, join with him in
prayer. One of his gentlemen at that moment
rushed into the room. "My lord," said he, "God
calls us to himself!" "I am prepared to die," replied
the admiral; "I need no more the help of men;
therefore, farewell, my friends; save yourselves, if
it is still possible." They all left him and escaped
by the roof of the house. Co1igny, his son-in-law,
fleeing in this way was shot, and rolled into the
street. A German servant alone remained behind
with his master. The door of the chamber was now
forced open, and seven of the murderers entered,
headed by Behme of Lorraine, and Achille Petrucci
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