t we may fight this battle to the
death.

"GUY CHABOT."

The preparations were conducted on a scale of the greatest magnificence,
the king having intimated his intention of being present. La Chataigneraie
made sure of the victory, and invited the king and a hundred and fifty of
the principal personages of the court to sup with him in the evening,
after the battle, in a splendid tent which he had prepared at the
extremity of the lists. De Jarnac was not so confident, though perhaps
more desperate. At noon, on the day appointed, the combatants met, and
each took the customary oath that he bore no charms or amulets about him,
or made use of any magic, to aid him against his antagonist. They then
attacked each other, sword in hand. La Chataigneraie was a strong robust
man, and over confident; De Jarnac was nimble, supple, and prepared for
the worst. The combat lasted for some time doubtful, until De Jarnac,
overpowered by the heavy blows of his opponent, covered his head with his
shield, and, stooping down, endeavoured to make amends by his agility for
his deficiency of strength. In this crouching posture he aimed two blows
at the left thigh of La Chataigneraie, who had left it uncovered, that the
motion of his leg might not be impeded. Each blow was successful, and,
amid the astonishment of all the spectators, and to the great regret of
the king, La Chataigneraie rolled over upon the sand. He seized his
dagger, and made a last effort to strike De Jarnac: but he was unable to
support himself, and fell powerless into the arms of the assistants. The
officers now interfered, and De Jarnac being declared the victor, fell
down upon his knees, uncovered his head, and, clasping his hands together,
exclaimed: "_O Domine, non sum dignus!_" La Chataigneraie was so mortified
by the result of the encounter, that he resolutely refused to have his
wounds dressed. He tore off the bandages which the surgeons applied, and
expired two days afterwards. Ever since that time, any sly and unforeseen
attack has been called by the French a _coup de Jarnac_. Henry was so
grieved at the loss of his favourite, that he made the solemn oath already
alluded to, that he would never again, so long as he lived, permit a duel.
Some writers have asserted, and among others, Mezerai, that he issued a
royal edict forbidding them. This has been doubted by others, and as there
appears no registry of the edi