Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/153

 1572.] THE MASS A CRE OF ST BAR THOL OME W. 1 33 miral should not be touched,, then prayed them to try other means. But clear, cold, and venomous, Catherine told him it was too late. If there was a judicial inquiry, the Guises would shield themselves by telling all that they knew. They would betray her ; they would betray his brother ; and, fairly or unfairly, they would not spare himself. He might protest his innocence, but the world would not believe him. For an hour and a half the King continued to struggle. 1 You refuse, then/ Catherine said at last. ' If it be so, your mother and your brother must care for them- selves. Permit us to go.' The King scowled at her. ' By God's death,' he cried, springing to his feet, ' since you will kill the Admiral, kill them all. Kill all the Huguenots in France, that none may be left to re- proach me. Mort Dieu ! Kill them all.' He dashed out of the cabinet. A list of those who were to die was instantly drawn up. Navarre and Conde were first included ; but Catherine prudently reflected that to kill the Bourbons would make the Guises too strong. Five or six names were added to the Admiral's, and these Catherine afterwards asserted were all that it was intended should suffer. Even she herself perhaps was not prepared for the horrors that would follow when the mob were let loose upon their prey. Night had now fallen. Guise and Aumale were still lurking in the city, and came with the Duke of Mont- pensier at Catherine's summons. The persons who were
 * Is it that you are afraid, Sire ? ' she hissed in his ear.