And now, take my advice and be very
cautious. Men are cheap in Paris, and Cordel will stick at nothing. If I
can help you against him, you may be sure I will."

I thanked him warmly, and proceeded to the hotel.

"Jacques will be glad to know that gratitude is not altogether dead in
the world," I said to myself.

CHAPTER XXIII

A Royal Marriage

I should probably have worried myself considerably over the strange
story related by Renaud L'Estang, but for the public events which
occurred almost immediately. On the very next morning we received orders
from the Admiral to be prepared to escort Henry of Navarre into the
capital.

My purse, fortunately, was not yet empty, for it was necessary to don a
mourning suit in order to show respect to the memory of the late queen.

"We must show ourselves as fine as those popinjays of Anjou's," said
Felix. "Fine feathers make fine birds in the eyes of the populace, and
we must let them see that Huguenot gentlemen are a match for those of
the king."

It was early morning of July 8, 1572, when about a dozen of us, all
splendidly, though sombrely attired, rode out from the courtyard of the
_Hotel Coligny,_ and, passing quickly through the empty streets,
proceeded to meet the princely cavalcade.

Henry's retinue formed a striking and impressive spectacle. He was
attended by young Conde, the Cardinal of Bourbon, and our own beloved
chief. Behind them rode eight hundred gallant gentlemen, all in
mourning, the majority of whom had proved their zeal and devotion to the
Cause on more than one battle-field. We saluted the chiefs, and took our
places in the procession.

"I think even the Parisians will admit we do not make a very sorry
show," remarked Felix as we rode along.

At the gates of St. Jacques we were met by Monseigneur at the head of
fifteen hundred gorgeously attired horsemen. He greeted our leaders with
elaborate ceremony, but, as far as I could judge, with little goodwill,
and Catholics and Huguenots mingled together, forming one imposing body.
Young Conde and his brother, the Marquis, rode between Guise and the
Chevalier d'Angouleme; Henry himself was placed between the king's
brothers, Anjou and Alencon.

The streets were packed with dense crowds of citizens; every balcony was
filled, and fair ladies sat watching from the open windows. Here and
there men shouted lustily for Monseigneur, but for Henry of Navarre
there was no word of kindly welcome; we procee