“This, then, is the cause of my illness.  And now what must I do—­for I know nothing of sorcery?”

“The death of the conspirator destroys the charm.  Its power ends with his life.  You are convinced now, are you not, of the cause of your illness?”

“Oh, certainly,” Charles answered ironically.  “And I am to punish M. de la Mole, as you say he is the guilty party?”

“I say he is the instrument, and,” muttered Catherine, “we have infallible means for making him confess the name of his principal.”

Catherine left hurriedly without understanding the sardonic laughter of the king, and as she went out Marguerite appeared.

“Oh, sire—­sire,” cried Marguerite, “you know what she says is false.  It is terrible to accuse anyone’s own mother, but she only lives to persecute the man who is devoted to you, Henry—­your Henry—­and I swear to you that what she says is false!”

“I think so, too, Margot.  But Henry is safe.  Safer in disgrace in Vincennes than in favour at the Louvre.”

“Oh, thanks, thanks!  But there is another person in whose welfare I am interested, whom I hardly dare mention to my brother, much less to my king.”

“M. de la Mole, is it not?  But do you know that a figure dressed in royal robes and pierced to the heart was found in his rooms?”

“I know it; but it was the figure of a woman, not of a man.”

“And the needle?”

“Was a charm not to kill a man, but to make a woman love him.”

“What was the name of this woman?”

“Marguerite!” cried the queen, throwing herself down and bathing the king’s hand in her tears.

“Margot, what if I know the real author of the crime?  For a crime has been committed, and I have not three months to live.  I am poisoned, but it must be thought I die by magic.”

“You know who is guilty?”

“Yes; but it must be kept from the world, and so it must be believed I die of magic, and by the agency of him they accuse.”

“But it is monstrous!” exclaimed Marguerite.  “You know he is innocent.  Pardon him—­pardon him!”

“I know it, but the world must believe him guilty.  Let your friend die.  His death alone can save the honour of our family.  I am dying that the secret may be preserved.”

M. de la Mole, after enduring excruciating tortures at the hand of Catherine, without making any admissions, died on the scaffold.

IV—­“The Bourbon Shall Not Reign!”

Before he died Charles showed Catherine the poisoned book, which he had kept under lock and key.

“And now burn it, madame.  I read this book too much, so fond was I of the chase.  And the world must not know the weaknesses of kings.  When it is burnt, please summon my brother Henry.  I wish to speak to him about the regency.”

Catherine brought Henry of Navarre to the king, and warned him that if he accepted the regency he was a dead man.