me my
enemy, I am lost."

"Your enemy! Never, sir!" exclaimed Marguerite.

"And my ally."

"Most decidedly!"

And Marguerite turned round and presented her hand to the king. "It is
agreed," she said.

"Political alliance, frank and loyal?" asked Henry.

"Frank and loyal," was the answer.

At the door Henry turned and said softly, "Thanks, Marguerite; thanks!
You are a true daughter of France. Lacking your love, your friendship
will not fail me. I rely on you, as you, for your part, may rely on me.
Adieu, madame."

He kissed his wife's hand; and then, with a quick step, the king went
down the corridor to his own apartment. "I have more need of fidelity in
politics than in love," he said to himself.

If on both sides there was little attempt at fidelity in love, there was
an honourable alliance, which was maintained unbroken and saved the life
of Henry of Navarre from his enemies on more than one occasion.

On the day of the St. Bartholomew massacre, while the Huguenots were
being murdered throughout Paris, Charles IX., instigated by his mother,
summoned Henry of Navarre to the royal armoury, and called upon him to
turn Catholic or die.

"Will you kill me, sire--me, your brother-in-law?" exclaimed Henry.

Charles IX. turned away to the open window. "I must kill someone," he
cried, and firing his arquebuse, struck a man who was passing.

Then, animated by a murderous fury, Charles loaded and fired his
arquebuse without stopping, shouting with joy when his aim was
successful.

"It's all over with me!" said Henry to himself. "When he sees no one
else to kill, he will kill me!"

Catherine de Medici entered as the king fired his last shot. "Is it
done?" she said, anxiously.

"No," the king exclaimed, throwing his arquebuse on the floor. "No; the
obstinate blockhead will not consent!"

Catherine gave a glance at Henry which Charles understood perfectly, and
which said, "Why, then, is he alive?"

"He lives," said the king, "because he is my relative."

Henry felt that it was with Catherine he had to contend.

"Madame," he said, addressing her, "I can see quite clearly that all
this comes from you and not from brother-in-law Charles. It was you who
planned this massacre to ensnare me into a trap which was to destroy us
all. It was you who made your daughter the bait. It has been you who
have separated me now from my wife, that she might not see me killed
before her eyes!"

"Yes; but that shall not be!