great numbers. These all being
assembled, he caused to be read to them, in presence of each
other, from beginning to end, the trial of the unhappy man who
poisoned Monseigneur the late dauphin,--with all the
interrogatories, confessions, confrontings, and other ceremonies
usual in criminal trials; he, the king, not being willing that the
sentence should be executed until all present had given their
opinion on this heinous and miserable case."

The fidelity, devotion, and cautious skill of the Comte de Montecuculi
may seem extraordinary in our time, when all the world, even ministers
of State, tell everything about the least little event with which they
have to do; but in those days princes could find devoted servants, or
knew how to choose them. Monarchical Moreys existed because in those
days there was _faith_. Never ask devotion of _self-interest_, because
such interest may change; but expect all from sentiments, religious
faith, monarchical faith, patriotic faith. Those three beliefs produced
such men as the Berthereaus of Geneva, the Sydneys and Straffords of
England, the murderers of Thomas a Becket, the Jacques Coeurs, the
Jeanne d'Arcs, the Richelieus, Dantons, Bonchamps, Talmonts, and also
the Clements, Chabots, and others.

The dauphin was poisoned in the same manner, and possibly by the same
drug which afterwards served MADAME under Louis XIV. Pope Clement VII.
had been dead two years; Duke Alessandro, plunged in debauchery, seemed
to have no interest in the elevation of the Duc d'Orleans; Catherine,
then seventeen, and full of admiration for her father-in-law, was with
him at the time; Charles V. alone appeared to have an interest in his
death, for Francois I. was negotiating for his son an alliance which
would assuredly have aggrandized France. The count's confession was
therefore very skilfully based on the passions and politics of the
moment; Charles V. was then flying from France, leaving his armies
buried in Provence with his happiness, his reputation, and his hopes
of dominion. It is to be remarked that if torture had forced admissions
from an innocent man, Francois I. gave Montecuculi full liberty to speak
in presence of an imposing assembly, and before persons in whose eyes
innocence had some chance to triumph. The king, who wanted the truth,
sought it in good faith.

In spite of her now brilliant future, Catherine's situation at court was
not changed by the death of the dauphin. Her