lty are destroyed the people will
attack the nobles; after the nobles, the rich. When Europe has become
a mere troop of men without consistence or stability, because without
leaders, it will fall a prey to brutal conquerors. Twenty times already
has the world seen that sight, and Europe is now preparing to renew
it. Ideas consume the ages as passions consume men. When man is cured,
humanity may possibly cure itself. Science is the essence of humanity,
and we are its pontiffs; whoso concerns himself about the essence cares
little about the individual life."

"To what have you attained, so far?" asked the king.

"We advance slowly; but we lose nothing that we have won."

"Then you are the king of sorcerers?" retorted the king, piqued at being
of no account in the presence of this man.

The majestic grand-master of the Rosicrucians cast a look on Charles IX.
which withered him.

"You are the king of men," he said; "I am the king of ideas. If we were
sorcerers, you would already have burned us. We have had our martyrs."

"But by what means are you able to cast nativities?" persisted the king.
"How did you know that the man who came to your window last night was
King of France? What power authorized one of you to tell my mother the
fate of her three sons? Can you, grand-master of an art which claims
to mould the world, can you tell me what my mother is planning at this
moment?"

"Yes, sire."

This answer was given before Cosmo could pull his brother's robe to
enjoin silence.

"Do you know why my brother, the King of Poland, has returned?"

"Yes, sire."

"Why?"

"To take your place."

"Our most cruel enemies are our nearest in blood!" exclaimed the king,
violently, rising and walking about the room with hasty steps. "Kings
have neither brothers, nor sons, nor mothers. Coligny was right; my
murderers are not among the Huguenots, but in the Louvre. You are either
imposters or regicides!--Jacob, call Solern."

"Sire," said Marie Touchet, "the Ruggieri have your word as a gentleman.
You wanted to taste of the fruit of the tree of knowledge; do not
complain of its bitterness."

The king smiled, with an expression of bitter self-contempt; he thought
his material royalty petty in presence of the august intellectual
royalty of Lorenzo Ruggiero. Charles IX. knew that he could scarcely
govern France, but this grand-master of Rosicrucians ruled a submissive
and intelligent world.

"Answer me truthfully; I pledge my