ound his
finger. He should listen to Monseigneur and the Duke of Guise; they
would make an end of these Huguenots."

Several times I had to grasp Felix by the arms, and whisper to him to
control himself, since a brawl in the streets could end only in his
death and mine. A knowledge of fence is of little service against a mob
of ruffians armed with clubs and pikes.

Approaching the Marais we heard a tremendous hubbub, and running forward
quickly beheld a number of Huguenot gentlemen gathered outside the
_Hotel de Guise_, waving their swords defiantly and threatening to have
justice done upon the Duke. De Pilles was at their head, and I expected
every moment to see him give the signal for an attack on the building.
Had he done so, he would have been instantly obeyed, and perhaps we
should not have had cause to mourn the horrors of the impending tragedy.

Instead of doing so, however, he suddenly exclaimed, "To the palace! We
will demand justice from the king; he cannot deny us!" and the
Huguenots, suspicious, alarmed and rapidly losing their heads, took up
the cry.

"To the palace!" they shouted; "let us see if Charles will give us
justice!"

Felix, as passionate and headstrong as any of them, exclaimed, "Come
along, Edmond; we shall count two more. Let us discover if there is any
honour in the man."

Not believing it could effect any good, I had no wish to be drawn into
the flighty venture, but as my comrade was resolute in courting danger I
was forced to accompany him.

The king was at supper when, flourishing our swords and demanding
justice, we burst into the palace. Charles behaved coolly enough, but
Anjou, who sat next to him, changed colour and trembled, while beads of
sweat stood upon his forehead.

"We demand justice, sire!" cried De Pilles, who cared no more for a
monarch than for a peasant. "If the king refuses it we will take the
matter into our own hands," and he looked at Anjou, who averted his
head.

"You will obtain justice, gentlemen," answered Charles. "My word is
pledged, and I will not break it. I have assured my friend, the noble
Coligny, that the villain who shot him shall be sought out and punished.
I will not spare the guilty parties whoever they are!"

At that we gave him a round of cheers, and marched out, De Pilles and
his followers returning straight to the city. L'Estang was not present,
but seeing one of Anjou's guards I asked if he could find my friend for
me, which he did.