story--which can
scarcely be regarded otherwise than as a fable--that the assassination of
Lignerolles, a little over four months later (December, 1571), was
compassed by Charles IX. and his mother, because they discovered that he
had become possessed of the secret of the projected massacre of St.
Bartholomew. If these royal personages had anything to do with the murder,
which is very improbable, they hated Lignerolles for marring the plan of
the English match, which they so much desired.

[834] "Je suis resolue de faire tous mes efforts pour reheussir pour mon
fils d'Alencon, qui ne sera pas si difficile." Ibid., vii. 235.

[835] It must be admitted that some indignation on Queen Elizabeth's part
was pardonable, if, as we learn from La Mothe Fenelon (despatch of May 2,
1571), she had heard that a certain person of high rank in the French
court had recommended Anjou to marry the English "granny"--"ceste
vieille"--and administer to her, under some pretext, a "French
potion"--"un breuvage de France"--so as to become a widower within six
months of the wedding day. Then he might marry Mary, Queen of Scots, and
reign with her peaceably over the whole island! Correspondance
diplomatique, iv. 84. However sincere or zealous Elizabeth may have been
previously, I doubt whether she ever forgave the suggestion, or the fair
princess whose charms were thus exalted above her own.

[836] De Thou, iv. (liv. l.) 492.

[837] "I would your lordship knew the gentleman," enthusiastically writes
Walsingham (August 12th, 1571) to the Earl of Leicester. "For courage
abroad and counsell at home they give him here the reputation to be
another [name in cipher]. He is in speech eloquent and pithy; but which is
chiefest, he is in religion, as religious in life as he is sincere in
profession. I hope God hath raised him up in these days, to serve for an
instrument for the advancement of His glory." Digges, 128. In another
letter, without date, the ambassador speaks of him as "surely the rarest
gentleman which I have talked withal since I came to France," Ibid., 176.

[838] The substance of Louis of Nassau's secret interviews is best given
by Walsingham in a long communication, of August 12, 1571, to Lord
Burleigh, Digges, 123-127.

[839] "Contre les deffences et proscriptions de son duc, qui a plat avoit
refuse le Roi de souffrir ce mariage, elle s'en vint a la Rochelle pour
avoir nom avant de mourir (ainsi qu'elle disoit) la Martia de Caton."
A