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I did not imagine anything else which it could be。 That is the truth；
though it may need explanation。 I was accustomed only to the milder
religious differences； the more evenly balanced parties of Quercy； where
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the peace between the Catholics and Huguenots had been welcome to all
save a very few。 I could not gauge therefore the fanaticism of the
Parisian populace； and lost count of the factor； which made possible that
which was going to happenwas going to happen in Paris before daylight
as surely as the sun was going to rise！ I knew that the Huguenot nobles
were present in the city in great numbers； but it did not occur to me that
they could as a body be in danger。 They were many and powerful； and as
was said； in favour with the king。 They were under the protection of the
King of NavarreFrance's brother… in…law of a week； and the Prince of
Conde； and though these princes were young； Coligny the sagacious
admiral was old； and not much the worse I had learned for his wound。
He at least was high in royal favour； a trusted counsellor。 Had not the
king visited him on his sick…bed and sat by him for an hour together？
Surely； I thought； if there were danger； these men would know of it。
And then the Huguenots' main enemy； Henri le Balafre； the splendid Duke
of Guise； 〃our great man；〃 and 〃 Lorraine；〃 as the crowd called himhe； it
was rumoured； was in disgrace at court。 In a word these things； to say
nothing of the peaceful and joyous occasion which had brought the
Huguenots to Paris； and which seemed to put treachery out of the question；
were more than enough to prevent me forecasting the event。
If for a moment； indeed； as I hurried along towards the river； anything
like the truth occurred to me； I put it from me。 I say with pride I put it
from me as a thing impossible。 For God forbidone may speak out the
truth these forty years backGod forbid； say I； that all Frenchmen should
bear the blood guiltiness which came of other than French brains； though
French were the hands that did the work。
I was not greatly troubled by my forebodings therefore： and the state
of exaltation to which Madame d'O's confidence had raised my spirits
lasted until one of the narrow streets by the Louvre brought me suddenly
within sight of the river。 Here faint moonlight bursting momentarily
through the clouds was shining on the placid surface of the water。 The
fresh air played upon； and cooled my temples。 And this with the quiet
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scene so abruptly presented to me； gave check to my thoughts； and
somewhat sobered me。
At some distance to my left I could distinguish in the middle of the
river the pile of buildings which crowd the Ile de la Cite； and could follow
the nearer arm of the stream as it swept landwards of these； closely
hemmed in by houses； but unbroken as yet by the arches of the Pont Neuf
which I have lived to see built。 Not far from me on my rightindeed
within a stone's throwthe bulky mass of the Louvre rose dark and
shapeless against the sky。 Only a narrow open spacethe foreshore
separated me from the water； beyond which I could see an irregular line of
buildings； that no doubt formed the Faubourg St。 Germain。
I had been told that I should find stairs leading down to the water； and
boats moored at the foot of them； at this point。 Accordingly I walked
quickly across the open space to a spot； where I made out a couple of posts
set up on the brink doubtless to mark the landing place。
I had not gone ten paces； however； out of the shadow； before I chanced
to look round； and discerned with an unpleasant eerie feeling three figures
detach themselves from it； and advance in a row behind me； so as the
better to cut off my retreat。 I was not to succeed in my enterprise too
easily then。 That was clear。 Still I thought it better to act as if I had not
seen my followers； and collecting myself； I walked as quickly as I could
down to the steps。 The three were by that time close upon me within
striking distance almost。 I turned abruptly and confronted them。
〃Who are you； and what do you want？〃 I said； eyeing them warily；
my hand on my sword。
They did not answer； but separated more widely so as to form a half…
circle： and one of them whistled。 On the instant a knot of men started
out of the line of houses； and came quickly across the strip of light
towards us。
The position seemed serious。 If I could have run indeedbut I
glanced round； and found escape in that fashion impossible。 There were
men crouching on the steps behind me； between me and the river。 I had
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fallen into a trap。 Indeed； there was nothing for it now but to do as
Madame had bidden me； and play the man boldly。 I had the words still
ringing in my ears。 I had enough of the excitement I had lately felt still
bounding in my veins to give nerve and daring。 I folded my arms and
drew myself up。
〃Knaves！〃 I said； with as much quiet contempt as I could muster；
〃you mistake me。 You do not know whom you have to deal with。 Get me
a boat； and let two of you row me across。 Hinder me； and your necks
shall answer for itor your backs！〃
A laugh and an oath of derision formed the only response； and before I
could add more； the larger group arrived； and joined the three。
〃Who is it； Pierre？〃 asked one of these in a matter…of…fact way； which
showed I had not fallen amongst mere thieves。
The speaker seemed to be the leader of the band。 He had a feather in
his bonnet； and I saw a steel corslet gleam under his cloak； when some one
held up a lanthorn to examine me the better。 His trunk…hose were striped
with black； white； and greenthe livery as I lea