nothing to do with a project intended solely
to sow divisions in the empire. The French, since the successful issue of
their intrigues in Poland, he said, had become so arrogant that they
thought they must be nothing less than masters of the whole world.[1336]
As for himself, he was quite satisfied with the present emperor, whom he
prayed that God might long preserve, and then graciously provide them in
his place with a pious Christian leader who should rule the empire well
and faithfully.[1337]

[Sidenote: Death of Count Louis of Nassau.]

At Blamont, in the duchy of Lorraine, Catharine took leave of the King of
Poland. Here the old ally of the Huguenots, Louis of Nassau, accompanied
by Duke Christopher, younger son of the elector palatine, met them. Louis
had been unremitting in his efforts to obtain French assistance in the
desperate struggle in which he and his brother were engaged. If words and
assurances could be of any worth, he was successful. Catharine promised in
Charles's name that France would not be behind the German Protestant
princes in rendering assistance to the Dutch patriots. Louis was so
cordially received by the queen mother, and especially by Alencon, that he
departed greatly encouraged with the prospect. Alencon had pressed the
Dutch patriot's hand, and whispered in his ear: "I now have the
government, as my brother, the King of Poland formerly had it, and I shall
devote myself wholly to seconding the efforts of the Prince of
Orange."[1338] The promised succor from France Nassau never received. Four
months later (on the fourteenth of April, 1574) the brave young count, in
company with his friend and comrade, Duke Christopher, lost his life in
the fatal battle of Mook, on the banks of the Meuse.[1339] Not the Prince
of Orange nor Holland alone, but the entire Protestant world deplored the
untimely death of one of the boldest and most unselfish of the champions
of religion and liberty.

With the details of the journey of Henry of Anjou to take possession of
his new kingdom, we cannot here concern ourselves. One incident, however,
naturally connects itself with the fortunes of the French Huguenots.

[Sidenote: Anjou's reception at Heidelberg.]

[Sidenote: Frankness of the elector palatine.]

After traversing Alsace, Henry and his suite presented themselves,
unwelcome guests, at Heidelberg, capital of the palatinate. The Elector,
Frederick the Third, and his subjects were, perhaps, equally disple