e sat there in that brown room, was closely
observing the king, who, during supper, had exhibited a boisterous
good-humor which she felt to be assumed in order to mask some intention
against her. This sudden gaiety contrasted too vividly with the struggle
of mind he endeavored to conceal by his eagerness in hunting, and by
an almost maniacal toil at his forge, where he spent many hours in
hammering iron; and Catherine was not deceived by it. Without being
able even to guess which of the statesmen about the king was employed
to prepare or negotiate it (for Charles IX. contrived to mislead his
mother's spies), Catherine felt no doubt whatever that some scheme for
her overthrow was being planned. The unlooked-for presence of Tavannes,
who arrived at the same time as Strozzi, whom she herself had summoned,
gave her food for thought. Strong in the strength of her political
combination, Catherine was above the reach of circumstances; but she was
powerless against some hidden violence. As many persons are ignorant of
the actual state of public affairs then so complicated by the various
parties that distracted France, the leaders of which had each their
private interests to carry out, it is necessary to describe, in a few
words, the perilous game in which the queen-mother was now engaged. To
show Catherine de' Medici in a new light is, in fact, the root and stock
of our present history.

Two words explain this woman, so curiously interesting to study, a woman
whose influence has left such deep impressions upon France. Those words
are: Power and Astrology. Exclusively ambitious, Catherine de' Medici
had no other passion than that of power. Superstitious and fatalistic,
like so many superior men, she had no sincere belief except in occult
sciences. Unless this double mainspring is known, the conduct of
Catherine de' Medici will remain forever misunderstood. As we
picture her faith in judicial astrology, the light will fall upon two
personages, who are, in fact, the philosophical subjects of this Study.

There lived a man for whom Catherine cared more than for any of her
children; his name was Cosmo Ruggiero. He lived in a house belonging to
her, the hotel de Soissons; she made him her supreme adviser. It was his
duty to tell her whether the stars ratified the advice and judgment of
her ordinary counsellors. Certain remarkable antecedents warranted the
power which Cosmo Ruggiero retained over his mistress to her last hour.
One of