Chicot the Jester

e water, by the family of Montmorency, who, allied to the royalty of France, held themselves equal to princes. This fête was to celebrate the wedding of

was in harmony with his face; he wore that suit of deep chestnut, in which Clouet described him at the wedding of Joyeuse; and this kind of royal specter, solemn and majestic, had chilled all t

ched him, and said: "Sire, will your majesty do me the honor to accept the fête, which I wish to give to you this evening at the

gh you certainly do not merit this

bly thanked the king, but he t

h you?" asked the youn

fter, mon amie, when this a

l it pas

mu

t. Luc to insist further; therefore she repressed her curios

s, particularly those of the Duc d'Anjou. He was always in opposition to the king, but in a hidden manner, pushing forward those of his friends whom the example of La Mole and Coconnas had not cured.

assure his father-in-law, who was much distressed at this menacing absence. Convinced, like all the world, of the friendship of Henri for St. Luc, he had believed he was assuring the royal favor, and now this looked like a disgrace. St. Luc tried hard to ins

, "I believe now that you are done for. The king is angry that you wou

to the monks of the Bois de Vincennes; and the Duc d'Anjou is absent,

inner? And as for the duke, if he could not come, his g

e, "it looks like a complete disgrace. Mon Dieu! how can our

soothe the marquis. The young bride was also wondering how St. Luc could have di

othing; if the Duc d'Anjou would but c

r of the king present than absent, for I fe

eathers, and jewels. But at the instant he entered another door opened just opposite, and a second Henri III., clothed exact

the movement,

he matter,

t naturally patient, and less so that day than

dressed exactly like your majesty, and

y at the court of Louis XIII. Chicot was not an ordinary jester. Before being Chicot he had been "De Chicot." He was a Gascon gentleman, who, ill-treated by M. de Mayenne

Henri, "two kings at

and you play Duc d'Anjou; perhaps you will be ta

ooking round him, "

I am Henri, and you are Fran?ois. I will play the king,

ht, Chicot,

"I was wrong to think the king an

he was not a beauty, but she had fine black

ey say that the king was angry with me; he has d

inner, dear Jeanne, for his

oubtless, out of hu

my poor child, he is preparing for us some disagreeable surprise. Oh! do not look at me so tenderl

nge recommendat

, and went to pay his court to Chicot, who was

, made St. Luc laugh heartily. Sometimes he offered him out of his comfit box sweetmeats and candied fruits, which St. Luc found excellent. If he

r the voice of Chicot; do you he

as though he were quar

it is, and come b

oached he heard

ake more; at least they shall be numerous, if they are not good.

ks, and putting his hand to his s

d with chains, and bearing on their breasts the arms of their masters, sparkling in jewels. Behind them came a young man, handsome and proud; who walked with his head raised and a

rvant, but where is the master? Are y

follow Bussy?

to ask him if he wished to belong to him, he replied that, being of

ing f

"whatever you say, he

e the duke is grea

he king than this, for he detested the Duc d'Anjo

mbling, "a little charity for my guests, i

mocking tone; "do not spo

ussy allied to the Brissacs

said St. Luc. The king gave an angry look. "Besides," he h

ehind his pages to salute

t see the true Henri, do you not know the true king from the false? He

and was about to bow befo

his minions, he turned his back to the young captain. Bussy reddened with anger, b

resemble jesters so much, that you will excuse m

ed Henri, "wha

sire," sai

ssy," said Chicot; "

was pre

"you ruin yourself in pages, and, par la m

g your majest

entleman, a colonel, a Clermont, almos

"as we live in a time when lackeys dress like princes, I

smiles which they had bestowed on him a little before. They grew pale wit

t you say that?" asked Chi

, St. Luc guessed that Bussy was sent by Monsieur to provoke a quarrel. He trembled more than ever, for he feared the combatants were abou

attacks you a

u, who supports Bussy; you do no

e belong to the king. If we get in

me," said St.

, knowing how jealous the

ge, I will make friends with M. Bussy." And he advanced towards him. After his impertinent speech, Bussy had looked ro

said just now, that I owe the honor of

saw you, and wished to salute you, and thank you f

stood at once that he considered the duties o

there is mischief there; I cannot have St. Luc killed.

ach Bussy, but came to meet him a

saying to that coxco

si

s,

, good

as tha

evening; adding, that I would have the

suspect

ty keep my secre

uld get rid of him with

apid glance, which Henri

he, "his insole

Luc, "but some day he

ot get bit by some dog?" And he threw a spiteful glance on Bus

y friends, M. Bussy, for I draw the sword, thoug

antries, I will chastise C

sides, it is not he who most deserves punish

in a different part of the room, and had not heard what was going on. "Gentlemen," said Q

king, while the others

was making love, and I warn you, if your reci

hat after the ball I

what

the wil

go, in this cold, to be

ind, I a

lo

and Schomberg. We

stand," said Maug

boar's head for b

Maugiron, alluding to the turn-down collar w

d D'Epernon,

asked D'O, "

ok roun

el

ne laugh a

, Bu

the wild boar t

ink the

sks f

o be it. But h

; it is th

not doubting that they were talking

grouped; it is quite touching; it might be Euryale and Nis

ed, so that Cast

n they b

e inventing so

d Quelus, "we are ta

Bussy; "it is very cold for t

politely, "we have warm gloves

s me," said Bussy;

ght, p

what will he say to-morrow, if he

trouble, monsieur," said Qu

" asked Bussy, with

boar. We want a head. Will

d'Anjou for the reception of M. de Monsoreau, to whom

to-n

ezvous in a mysterious house

"is the Queen Margot her

is some

u in the Faubou

will ask your adv

m not a lawyer, I gi

nsafe, and that is a lonely place. W

great Chatelet, and then go through the Rue de la Tixanderie, until you reach the faubourg. Once at the corner of the Rue St. Anto

I shall be sure to follow it." And s

e de St. Luc was, her husband made a sign to her.

he, "everyone is talking

the king,

f the queen; do

offering his arm to her,

drew softly near his fri

w; thus then, at the corner of the H?tel d

lackey?" as

wn secret, and do our own work. I hate him, but h

o out all s

you please,"

rue, we forg

king's voice

"the king calls me.

oing straight to the king, he ran

Are you going also to join the chase; it would be a

I was see

all

your father to try and stop the king, whilst I sa

ell to put it off, for the streets are not safe, and, above all, to avoid the H?tel des Tournelles, where ther

ng, "St. Luc, St. Luc, do not hide yourself,

Chicot stood the king, to whom one page was giving his e

have the honor of lighting y

and left me to return alone to the Louvre. I had counted on them, and you cannot let me go alone. You are a

ell her father that the king was carrying away her husband, but

re," said he, "

to wait for her husband's return. M. de Brissac sent six men to the Louvre to attend him back. But two hours after one of them returned, saying, that the Louvre w

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