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the world so dreadful as that brute beast we call the CANAILLE； when the
chain is off and its cowardly soul is roused。
Near our end of the street a group of horsemen rising island…like from
the sea of heads； sat motionless in their saddles about a gateway。 They
were silent； taking no notice of the rioting fiends shouting at their girths；
but watching in grim quiet what was passing within the gates。 They were
handsomely dressed； although some wore corslets over their satin coats or
lace above buff jerkins。 I could even at that distance see the jewels
gleam in the bonnet of one who seemed to be their leader。 He was in the
centre of the band； a very young man； perhaps twenty or twenty…one； of
most splendid presence； sitting his horse superbly。 He wore a grey
riding…coat； and was a head taller than any of his companions。 There was
pride in the very air with which his horse bore him。
I did not need to ask Pavannes who he was。 I KNEW that he was the
Duke of Guise； and that the house before which he stood was Coligny's。
I knew what was being done there。 And in the same moment I sickened
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with horror and rage。 I had a vision of grey hairs and blood and fury
scarcely human； And I rebelled。 I battled with the rabble about me。 I
forced my way through them tooth and nail after Pavannes； intent only on
escaping； only on getting away from there。 And so we neither halted nor
looked back until we were clear of the crowd and had left the blaze of
light and the work doing by it some way behind us。
We found ourselves then in the mouth of an obscure alley which my
companion whispered would bring us to his house； and here we paused to
take breath and look back。 The sky was red behind us； the air full of the
clash and din of the tocsin； and the flood of sounds which poured from
every tower and steeple。 From the eastward came the rattle of drums and
random shots； and shrieks of 〃A BAS COLIGNY！〃 〃A BAS LES
HUGUENOTS！〃 Meanwhile the city was rising as one man； pale at this
dread awakening。 From every window men and women； frightened by
the uproar； were craning their necks； asking or answering questions or
hurriedly calling for and kindling tapers。 But as yet the general populace
seemed to be taking no active part in the disorder。
Pavannes raised his hat an instant as we stood in the shadow of the
houses。 〃The noblest man in France is dead；〃 he said； softly and
reverently。 〃God rest his soul！ They have had their way with him and
killed him like a dog。 He was an old man and they did not spare him！
A noble； and they have called in the CANAILLE to tear him。 But be sure；
my friend〃and as the speaker's tone changed and grew full and proud； his
form seemed to swell with it〃be sure the cruel shall not live out half their
days！ No。 He that takes the knife shall perish by the knife！ And go to
his own place！ I shall not see it； but you will！〃
His words made no great impression on me then。 My hardihood was
returning。 I was throbbing with fierce excitement； and tingling for the
fight。 But years afterwards； when the two who stood highest in the group
about Coligny's threshold died； the one at thirty…eight； the other at thirty…
fivewhen Henry of Guise and Henry of Valois died within six months of
one another by the assassin's knifeI remembered Pavannes' augury。
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And remembering it； I read the ways of Providence； and saw that the very
audacity of which Guise took advantage to entrap Coligny led him too in
his turn to trip smiling and bowing； a comfit box in his hand and the kisses
of his mistress damp on his lips； into a king's closeta king's closet at
Blois！ Led him to lift the curtain ah！ to lift the curtain； what
Frenchman does not know the tale？ behind which stood the Admiral！
To return to our own fortunes； after a hurried glance we resumed our
way； and sped through the alley； holding a brief consultation as we went。
Pavannes' first hasty instinct to seek shelter at home began to lose its force；
and he to consider whether his return would not endanger his wife。 The
mob might be expected to spare her； he argued。 Her death would not
benefit any private foes if he escaped。 He was for keeping away
therefore。 But I would not agree to this。 The priest's crew of
desperadoes assuming Pavannes' suspicions to be correctwould wait
some time； no doubt； to give the master of the house a chance to return；
but would certainly attack sooner or later out of greed； if from no other
motive。 Then the lady's fate would at the best be uncertain。 I was
anxious myself to rejoin my brothers； and take all future chances； whether
of saving our Louis； or escaping ourselves； with them。 United we should
be four good swords； and might at least protect Madame de Pavannes to a
place of safety； if no opportunity of succouring Louis should present itself。
We had too the Duke's ring； and this might be of service at a pinch。 〃No；〃 I
urged； 〃let us get together。 We two will slip in at the front gate； and bolt
and bar it； and then we will all escape in a body at the back； while they are
forcing the gateway。〃
〃There is no door at the back；〃 he answered； shaking his head。
〃There are windows？〃
〃They are too strongly barred。 We could not break out in the time；〃
he explained； with a groan。
I paused at that； crestfallen。 But danger quickened my wits。 In a
moment I had another plan； not so hopeful and more dangerous； yet worth
trying I thought； I told him of it； and he agreed to it。 As he nodded assent
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we emerged into a street； and I sawfor the grey light of morning was
beginning to penetrate between the housesthat we were only a few yards
from the gateway； and the small door by which I had