The town was under military discipline, and the measures taken by the Guises proved how little liberty they intended to leave to the States-general, the members of which flocked into the town, raising the rents of the poorest lodgings. The court, the burgher militia, the nobility, and the burghers themselves were all in a state of expectation, awaiting some _coup-d’Etat_; and they found themselves not mistaken when the princes of the blood arrived. As the Bourbon princes entered the king’s chamber, the court saw with terror the insolent bearing of Cardinal de Lorraine. Determined to show his intentions openly, he remained covered, while the king of Navarre stood before him bare-headed. Catherine de’ Medici lowered her eyes, not to show the indignation that she felt. Then followed a solemn explanation between the young king and the two chiefs of the younger branch. It was short, for that the first words of the Prince de Conde Francois II. interrupted him, with threatening looks: “Messieurs, my cousins, I had supposed the affair of Amboise over; I find it is not so, and you are compelling us to regret the indulgence which we showed.” “It is not the king so much as the Messieurs de Guise who now address us,” replied the Prince de Conde. “Adieu, monsieur,” cried the little king, crimson with anger. When he left the king’s presence the prince found his way barred in the great hall by two officers of the Scottish guard. As the captain of the French guard advanced, the prince drew a letter from his doublet, and said to him in presence of the whole court:-- “Can you read that paper aloud to me, Monsieur de Maille-Breze?” “Willingly,” said the French captain:-- “‘My cousin, come in all security; I give you my royal word that you can do so. If you have need of a safe conduct, this letter will serve as one.’” “Signed?” said the shrewd and courageous hunchback. “Signed ‘Francois,’” said Maille. “No, no!” exclaimed the prince, “it is signed: ‘Your good cousin and friend, Francois,’--Messieurs,” he said to the Scotch guard, “I follow you to the prison to which you are ordered, on behalf of the king, to conduct me. There is enough nobility in this hall to understand the matter!” The profound silence which followed these words ought to have enlightened the Guises, but silence is that to which all princes listen least. “Monseigneur,” said the Cardinal de Tournon, who was following the prince, “you know well that since the affair at Amboise you have made certain attempts both at Lyon and at Mouvans in Dauphine against the royal authority, of which the king had no knowledge when he wrote to you in those terms.” “Tricksters!” cried the prince, laughing. “You have made a public declaration against the Mass and in favor of heresy.” “We are masters in Navarre,” said the prince. “You mean to say in Bearn. But you owe homage to the Crown,” replied President de Thou.