ary methods of
law. For this reason he had gone to Monceaux to solicit justice of
Charles, of his mother, and of the King of Navarre. But the hopes which
the queen mother's gracious answer had excited were dashed to the earth by
Guise's violent resort to arms. Holding the duke to be the chief author
and promoter of the present troubles, he admitted that he had a countless
number of times prayed to God that He would either change his heart or rid
the kingdom of him. But he appealed to the testimony of Madame de Ferrare
(Renee de France, the mother-in-law of Guise), and all who had ever heard
him, when he said that never had he publicly mentioned the duke by name.
As for Poltrot himself, he had never met him.

The admiral himself was not less frank. Ever since the massacre of Vassy
he had regarded Guise and his party as common enemies of God, of the king,
and of the public tranquillity; but never, upon his life and his honor,
had he approved of such attacks as that of Poltrot. Indeed, he had
steadfastly employed his influence to deter men from executing any plots
against the life of the duke; until, being duly informed that Guise and
Saint Andre had incited men to undertake to assassinate Conde, D'Andelot,
and himself, he had desisted from expressing his opposition. The different
articles of the confession he proceeded to answer one by one; and he
forwarded his reply to the court with a letter to Catharine de' Medici, in
which he earnestly entreated her that the life of Poltrot might be spared
until the restoration of peace, that he might be confronted with him, and
an investigation be made of the entire matter before unsuspected judges.
"But do not imagine," he added, "that I speak thus because of any regret
for the death of the Duke of Guise, which I esteem the greatest of
blessings to the realm, to the Church of God, to myself and my family,
and, if improved, the means of giving rest to the kingdom."[242]

The admiral's frankness was severely criticised by some of his friends. He
was advised to suppress those expressions that were liable to be perverted
to his injury, but he declared his resolution to abide by the consequences
of a clear statement of the truth. And indeed, while the worldly wisdom of
Coligny's censors has received a species of justification in the avidity
with which his sincere avowals have been employed as the basis of graver
accusations which he repelled, the candor of his defence has set upon his
wo