her hand on the somewhat complicated
lock of the door of this oratory, the queen-mother, who had just become
convinced of the greatness of the Prince de Conde's plans, had touched
the spring hidden beneath the foot-board, and one of the mysterious
panels had turned over on its hinges. Catherine was in the act of
lifting the papers from the table to hide them, intending after that to
secure the safety of the devoted messenger who had brought them to her,
when, hearing the sudden opening of the door, she at once knew that none
but Queen Mary herself would dare thus to enter without announcement.

"You are lost!" she said to Christophe, perceiving that she could no
longer put away the papers, nor close with sufficient rapidity the open
panel, the secret of which was now betrayed.

Christophe answered her with a glance that was sublime.

"_Povero mio_!" said Catherine, before she looked at her
daughter-in-law. "Treason, madame! I hold the traitors at last," she
cried. "Send for the duke and the cardinal; and see that that man,"
pointing to Christophe, "does not escape."

In an instant the able woman had seen the necessity of sacrificing the
poor youth. She could not hide him; it was impossible to save him. Eight
days earlier it might have been done; but the Guises now knew of the
plot; they must already possess the lists she held in her hand, and were
evidently drawing the Reformers into a trap. Thus, rejoiced to find in
these adversaries the very spirit she desired them to have, her policy
now led her to make a merit of the discovery of their plot. These
horrible calculations were made during the rapid moment while the young
queen was opening the door. Mary Stuart stood dumb for an instant; the
gay look left her eyes, which took on the acuteness that suspicion
gives to the eyes of all, and which, in hers, became terrible from
the suddenness of the change. She glanced from Christophe to the
queen-mother and from the queen-mother back to Christophe,--her face
expressing malignant doubt. Then she seized a bell, at the sound of
which one of the queen-mother's maids of honor came running in.

"Mademoiselle du Rouet, send for the captain of the guard," said Mary
Stuart to the maid of honor, contrary to all etiquette, which was
necessarily violated under the circumstances.

While the young queen gave this order, Catherine looked intently at
Christophe, as if saying to him, "Courage!"

The Reformer understood, and replied b