nt was prolonged far into the night; but Admiral Coligny,
before giving himself repose, snatched from sleep a few minutes to write
a letter to his wife, whom he had left in Chatillon. It is the last which
has been preserved, and is otherwise important because of the light it
throws upon the hopes and fears of the great Huguenot at this critical
time.

[Sidenote: Coligny's letter to his wife.]

"My darling," he said, "I write this bit of a letter to tell you that
to-day the marriage of the king's sister and the King of Navarre took
place. Three or four days will be spent in festivities, masks, and mock
combats. After that the king has assured me and given me his promise, that
he will devote a few days to attending to a number of complaints which are
made in various parts of the kingdom, touching the infraction of the
edict. It is but reasonable that I should employ myself in this matter, so
far as I am able; for, although I have infinite desire to see you, yet
should I feel great regret, and I believe that you would likewise, were I
to fail to occupy myself in such an affair with all my ability. But this
will not delay so much the departure from this city, but that I think that
the court will leave it at the beginning of next week. If I had in view
only my own satisfaction, I should take much greater pleasure in going to
see you, than in being in this court, for many reasons which I shall tell
you. But we must have more regard for the public than for our own private
interests. I have many other things to tell you, when I am able to see
you, for which I am so anxious that you must not think that I waste a day
or an hour. What remains for me to say is that to-day, at four o'clock
after noon, the bride's mass was said. Meanwhile, the King of Navarre
walked about in a court with all those of the religion who accompanied
him. Other incidents occurred which I will reserve to relate to you; but
first I must see you. And meantime I pray our Lord, my darling, to keep
you in His holy guard and protection. From Paris, this eighteenth day of
August, 1572. _Mandez-moy comme se porte le petit ou petite._ ... I assure
you that I shall not be anxious to attend all the festivities and combats
that are to take place during these next days. Your very good husband and
friend, CHATILLON."[932]

[Sidenote: Festivities and mock combats.]

The festivities and combats--so distasteful to a statesman who recognized
the critical condition of Fre