ise the knife against your brothers!
Henry, Henry, by doing this, do you know that you would be delivering to
a second Saint Bartholomew all the Calvinists in the kingdom? Do you
know that Catharine is waiting for just such a chance to exterminate all
who have survived?"

And the duke trembling, his face spotted with red and white blotches,
pressed Henry's hand to beg him to give up this idea which would ruin
him.

"What!" said Henry, with an expression of perfect good-humor, "do you
think there would be so much trouble, Francois? With the King's word,
however, it seems to me that I should avoid it."

"The word of King Charles IX., Henry! Did not the admiral have it? Did
not Teligny have it? Did not you yourself have it? Oh, Henry, I tell you
if you do this, you will ruin us all. Not only them, but all who have
had direct or indirect relations with them."

Henry seemed to ponder an instant.

"If I were an important prince at court," said he, "I should act
differently. In your place, for instance, in your place, Francois, a son
of France, and probable heir to the crown"--

Francois shook his head ironically.

"In my place," said he, "what would you do?"

"In your place, brother," replied Henry, "I should place myself at the
head of the movement and direct it. My name and my credit should answer
to my conscience for the life of the rebellious, and I should derive
some benefit first for myself, then for the King, perhaps, from an
enterprise which otherwise might do the greatest injury to France."

D'Alencon listened to these words with a joy which caused every muscle
of his face to expand.

"Do you think," said he, "that this method is practicable and that it
would save us all the disasters you foresee?"

"I think so," said Henry. "The Huguenots love you. Your bearing is
modest, your position both high and interesting, and the kindness you
have always shown to those of the faith will incline them to serve you."

"But," said D'Alencon, "there is a division in the party. Will those who
want you want me?"

"I will undertake to bring them together by two means."

"What means?"

"First, by the confidence the leaders have in me; then by the fear that
your highness, knowing their names"--

"But who will tell me these names?"

"I, _ventre saint gris_!"

"You will do that?"

"Listen, Francois; as I told you, you are the only one I love at court,"
said Henry. "This, no doubt, is because you are persecuted li