ents, and whom it
is impossible to suppose ignorant of any scheme for the general
extirpation of the Protestants, had such a scheme existed for any
considerable length of time: "As to all the statements that will be made
respecting the firing upon the admiral and his death, different from that
which I have written to you, you will in time find out how true they are.
Madame the regent, having come to be at variance with him [the admiral],
and having decided upon this step a few days before, caused him to be
fired upon. This was _without the knowledge of the king_, but with the
participation of the Duke of Anjou, the Duchess of Nemours, and her son,
the Duke of Guise. If the admiral had died at once, no others would have
been slain. But, inasmuch as he survived, and they apprehended that some
great calamity might happen should he draw closer to the king, they
resolved to throw aside shame, and to have him killed together with the
rest. And this was put into execution that very night."[943]

[Sidenote: The king's cordiality.]

As the hour approached, Coligny exhibited no apprehension of special
danger. Others, however, more suspicious, or possessed of less faith in
Heaven, felt alarm; and some acted upon their fears. The very "goodness"
of the king terrified one. Another said that he had rather be saved with
fools than perish with the wise, and hastily forsook the capital. Dark
hints had been thrown out by courtiers--such surmises were naturally bred
by the defenceless position of the Protestants in the midst of a
population so hostile to their faith as the population of Paris--that more
blood than wine would be spilled at this wedding. And there were rumors of
some mysterious enterprise afloat; so, at least, it was said after the
occurrence. But Coligny moved not from the post which he believed had been
assigned to his keeping. On Wednesday Charles assured him, with laughing
countenance, that if the admiral would but give him four days more for
amusement, he would not stir from Paris until he had contented him;[944]
and the sturdy old Huguenot made no objection when the king, in order to
prevent any disturbance which the partisans of Guise might occasion in
seeking a quarrel with the followers of the house of Chatillon, proposed
to introduce a considerable force of soldiers into the city. "My father,"
said Charles, with his usual appearance of affection, "you know that you
have promised not to give any cause of offence to