The Forty-Five Guardsmen

, to witness the execution of Salcede. All Paris appeared to have a rendezvous at the Hotel de Ville; and Paris is very exact, and neve

from the ground. It was so low as to be visible only to those immediately surrounding it, or to those who had windows overlooking the Place. Four vigorous white h

e royal arms. This was for the king. Half-past one had just struck when this window was filled. First came Henri III., pale, almost bald, although he was at that time only thirty-five, and with a somber expression, always a mystery to his subjects, who, when they saw him appear, never knew whether to say "Vive le Roi!" o

he melancholy but sweet face of the queen, Louise de Torraine. Catherine came as a triumph, she as a punishment. Behind them came two handsome young men, brothers, the eldest of whom smiled with wonderful beauty, and the younger wi

ing to the young men, he said, "Anne, lean a

o," said

that Salcede wil

, give this confus

ooked d

rine, "do I not see

u are right. I have such bad eyes, and y

id Catherine;

e king. "See, his head falls

ghtful," s

t explained to you, Anne, the secret connection of the physical and

ery good soldiers. Have you not, Henri?" said he, turning to his brother: but he lo

a serpent. He burned in his house a Norman gentleman, his enemy; he has fought ten duels, and killed three

ed existence, but wh

herine, "I trust it will fi

so impatient of their state of inactivity that I do not believe in a lo

he, with the smile peculiar to herself,

ly, "I heard you say this morning t

nished as soon as possible, and, as you interest yourself so m

"I have not your strength

t look

e from the car on to the scaffold, round which the archers had cl

had valiantly borne the sword, and that livid head, on which were depicted the terrors of death, had conceived great designs. Therefore, to many of the spectators, he was a hero; to others, a victim; some looked on him as an assassin; but the crowd seldom despises those very great criminals who are registered

Lorraines, nor leaguers, had been able to approach. In the prison Salcede hoped; during the torture, on the car, even on the scaffold, he still hoped. He wanted neither courage nor r

ced that the president Brisson and four councilors desired the honor of

ing. "Mother, you

avor," sai

rovided it be not the

my brother and

rest in my affairs that you wi

is stronger than I am on this point. I cannot see an execution without being ill for a week; and as I am the only person who ever laughs

o leave me

e of which, unlike me, you are fond. Is not that enough fo

oyeuse, you will see t

he interest will be carried to a point that I

i, sighing; "my desti

is brother. "The king says yes now;

d Bouchage; "I was as anx