And by an exquisite refinement in torture the possible father of several of his children not only dictated to the Queen perpetual outbreaks of frantic jealousy against her husband, but moved her to refuse with suspicion any food and drink offered her by his hands.  The Concini’s would even with unparalleled and ingenious effrontery induce her to make use of the kitchen arrangements in their apartments for the preparation of her daily meals?

Driven from house and home, Henry almost lived at the Arsenal.  There he would walk for hours in the long alleys of the garden, discussing with the great financier and soldier his vast, dreamy, impracticable plans.  Strange combination of the hero, the warrior, the voluptuary, the sage, and the schoolboy—­it would be difficult to find in the whole range of history a more human, a more attractive, a more provoking, a less venerable character.

Haunted by omens, dire presentiments, dark suspicions with and without cause, he was especially averse from the coronation to which in a moment of weakness he had given his consent.

Sitting in Sully’s cabinet, in a low chair which the Duke had expressly provided for his use, tapping and drumming on his spectacle case, or starting up and smiting himself on the thigh, he would pour out his soul hours long to his one confidential minister.  “Ah, my friend, how this sacrament displeases me,” he said; “I know not why it is, but my heart tells me that some misfortune is to befall me.  By God I shall die in this city, I shall never go out of it; I see very well that they are finding their last resource in my death.  Ah, accursed coronation! thou wilt be the, cause of my death.”

So many times did he give utterance to these sinister forebodings that Sully implored him at last for leave to countermand the whole ceremony notwithstanding the great preparations which had been made for the splendid festival.  “Yes, yes,” replied the King, “break up this coronation at once.  Let me hear no more of it.  Then I shall have my mind cured of all these impressions.  I shall leave the town and fear nothing.”

He then informed his friend that he had received intimations that he should lose his life at the first magnificent festival he should give, and that he should die in a carriage.  Sully admitted that he had often, when in a carriage with him, been amazed at his starting and crying out at the slightest shock, having so often seen him intrepid among guns and cannon, pikes and naked swords.

The Duke went to the Queen three days in succession, and with passionate solicitations and arguments and almost upon his knees implored her to yield to the King’s earnest desire, and renounce for the time at least the coronation.  In vain.  Mary de’ Medici was obdurate as marble to his prayers.

The coronation was fixed for Thursday, the 13th May, two days later than the time originally appointed when the King conversed with the States’ ambassadors.  On the following Sunday was to be the splendid and solemn entrance of the crowned Queen.  On the Monday, Henry, postponing likewise for two days his original plan of departure, would leave for the army.