“Well,” I said, as, entering the courtyard of the hotel, we gave our animals to Jacques, “the king may desire the marriage, but it certainly does not meet with the approval of the citizens.  In truth, now that to-day’s ceremony is over, I am rather surprised to find myself alive.”

“You are not the only one, Le Blanc,” said De Guerchy, who was entering with us; “I expected every moment to hear a cry of ‘Kill the Huguenots!’ They say a bad beginning often leads to a good ending; let us hope this will be a case in proof of it.  But I wish the Admiral was in the midst of us!”

“There lies the danger,” I said; “a pistol-shot or the stroke of a sword, and the streets of Paris will run with blood.”

“They will,” declared Felix fiercely, “if any harm happens to our leader!”

When I came to think about these things in after days, it seemed strange to remember how, through all the time of rejoicing and apparent friendliness, there ran an uneasy feeling, for which even Henry’s chilling reception by the Parisians was not sufficient to account.

Our first thought in the morning and our last thought at night centred upon the Admiral’s safety.  Absolutely fearless, and placing unbounded confidence in the king’s honesty, that chivalrous nobleman behaved as if he were surrounded by loyal friends.  He had consecrated his life to the welfare of France, and no thought of self could turn him aside from his duty.

His usual attendants were De Guerchy and Des Pruneaux, and with them he would set out from his residence to transact his business with the king at the Louvre.  But, unknown to him, two of us always went a little ahead, while two followed closely in the rear.  We carefully avoided drawing attention to ourselves, but our eyes sought every passer-by and examined every window where an assassin might lurk.

Thus the time passed between hopes and fears.  There was little talk now of the war with Spain, and it began to be understood that the subject would not be pursued until after the marriage.

Being so fully occupied we saw little of Jeanne during these days, but one evening Felix and I started to pay her a visit.  It was the first week in August, the day had been hot, and most of the citizens were out of doors seeking the cool air.

“One minute, monsieur!”

We were at the bottom of the steps in front of the Countess Guichy’s hotel, but, recognizing the voice, I stopped and turned.

“Is it you, L’Estang?” I said.

“Hush!  It would be as well to call me D’Angely.  You have been followed here from the Rue de l’Arbre Sec.  A strange man, now hiding on the other side of the road, has been watching you for these two days past.  The populace have no love for a Huguenot gentleman.”

“What is the fellow like?” I asked.

“He keeps himself well muffled; he is about your own height and build; that is all I can discover.  But I believe he has been hired by Cordel.  Take care not to expose yourself too freely.”