CHAPTER XII.

THE ASSASSINATION.

[22d, 23d, and 24th August.]

Coligny in the Tennis-Court--The Fatal Shot--The King’s Indignation and Threats--Letters to Provincial Governors--Precautions in the City--Interview between Charles and the Admiral--Despair of Catherine and Anjou--The Huguenot Council--Threats of violence--De Pilles and Pardaillan at the Louvre--The Turning-point--Conversation between Catherine and Anjou--Meeting in the Tuileries Garden--Guard sent to Coligny--Scene in the King’s Closet--Catherine’s Argument--De Retz Protests--Charles Yields at last--Guise in the City--Precautions--Anjou and Angoulême ride through Paris--Municipal Arrangements--Charles and La Rochefoucault--Margaret and her sister Claude--Coligny’s last Night 379