court in the time of Charles IX.  Little affection existed
     between Henry and his bride, but strong ties of interest and
     ambition bound them together, and for a long time they both
     adhered loyally to the treaty of political alliance they had
     drawn up for their mutual advantage.  Dumas died on December 5,
     1870, after experiencing many changes of fortune.  His son also
     won considerable reputation as a dramatist and novelist.

I.—­Henry of Navarre and Marguerite

On Monday, August 18, 1572, a great festival was held in the palace of the Louvre.  It was to celebrate the marriage of Henry of Navarre and Marguerite de Valois, a marriage that perplexed a good many people, and alarmed others.

For Henry de Bourbon, King of Navarre, was the leader of the Huguenot party, and Marguerite was the daughter of Catherine de Medici, and the sister of the king, Charles IX., and this alliance between a Protestant and a Catholic, it seemed, was to end the strife that rent the nation.  The king, too, had set his heart on this marriage, and the Huguenots were somewhat reassured by the king’s declaration that Catholic and Huguenot alike were now his subjects, and were equally beloved by him.  Still, there were many on both sides who feared and distrusted the alliance.

At midnight, six days later, on August 24, the tocsin sounded, and the massacre of St. Bartholomew began.

The marriage, indeed, was in no sense a love match; but Henry succeeded at once in making Marguerite his friend, for he was alive to the dangers that surrounded him.

“Madame,” he said, presenting himself at Marguerite’s rooms on the night of the wedding festival, “whatever many persons may have said, I think our marriage is a good marriage.  I stand well with you—­you stand well with me.  Therefore, we ought to act towards each other like good allies, since to-day we have been allied in the sight of God!  Don’t you think so?”

“Without question, sir!”

“I know, madame, that the ground at court is full of dangerous abysses; and I know that, though I am young and have never injured any person, I have many enemies.  The king hates me, his brothers, the Duke of Anjou and the Duke D’Alencon, hate me.  Catherine de Medici hated my mother too much not to hate me.  Well, against these menaces, which must soon become attacks, I can only defend myself by your aid, for you are beloved by all those who hate me!”

“I?” said Marguerite.

“Yes, you!” replied Henry.  “And if you will—­I do not say love me—­but if you will be my ally I can brave anything; while, if you become 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.