Standing before the fireplace in the great hall of the Bailliage was one of the greatest and noblest figures of that day,--the Chancelier de l’Hopital, wearing his crimson robe lined and edged with ermine, and his cap on his head according to the privilege of his office. This courageous man, seeing that his benefactors were traitorous and self-seeking, held firmly to the cause of the kings, represented by the queen-mother; at the risk of losing his head, he had gone to Rouen to consult with the Connetable de Montmorency. No one ventured to draw him from the reverie in which he was plunged. Robertet, the secretary of State, two marshals of France, Vieilleville, and Saint-Andre, and the keeper of the seals, were collected in a group before the chancellor. The courtiers present were not precisely jesting; but their talk was malicious, especially among those who were not for the Guises. Presently voices were heard to rise in the king’s chamber. The two marshals, Robertet, and the chancellor went nearer to the door; for not only was the life of the king in question, but, as the whole court knew well, the chancellor, the queen-mother, and her adherents were in the utmost danger. A deep silence fell on the whole assembly. Ambroise Pare had by this time examined the king’s head; he thought the moment propitious for his operation; if it was not performed suffusion would take place, and Francois II. might die at any moment. As soon as the duke and cardinal entered the chamber he explained to all present that in so urgent a case it was necessary to trepan the head, and he now waited till the king’s physician ordered him to perform the operation. “Cut the head of my son as though it were a plank!--with that horrible instrument!” cried Catherine de’ Medici. “Maitre Ambroise, I will not permit it.” The physicians were consulting together; but Catherine spoke in so loud a voice that her words reached, as she intended they should, beyond the door. “But, madame, if there is no other way to save him?” said Mary Stuart, weeping. “Ambroise,” cried Catherine; “remember that your head will answer for the king’s life.” “We are opposed to the treatment suggested by Maitre Ambroise,” said the three physicians. “The king can be saved by injecting through the ear a remedy which will draw the contents of the abscess through that passage.” The Duc de Guise, who was watching Catherine’s face, suddenly went up to her and drew her into the recess of the window.