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

the capital. The duke did not at once proclaim
himself king; he thought good to do the thing by
halves; he got himself made lieutenant of the
kingdom, holding himself, at the same time, on
excellent terms of friendship with Henry. Henry on
his part met the duke's hypocrisy with cool
premeditated treachery. He pressed him warmly to
visit him at his Castle of Blois. His friends told him
that if he went he would never return; but he made
light of all warnings, saying, with an air that
expressed his opinion of the king's courage, "He
dare not." To the Castle of Blois he went.
The king had summoned a council at the early
hour of eight o'clock to meet the duke. While the
members were assembling, Guise had arrived, and
was sauntering carelessly in the hall, when a
servant entered with a message that the king
wished to see him in his bed-room. To reach the
apartment in question the duke had to pass through
an ante-chamber. In this apartment had previously
been posted a strong body of men-at-arms. The
duke started when his eye fell on the glittering
halberds and the scowling faces of the men; but
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