Thus the contrast of character and person between these two celebrated men was as complete and marked as the difference in their minds. Calvin acknowledged Chaudieu’s very humble salutation by a slight inclination of the head. Chaudieu slipped the bridles of both horses through his arms and followed the two great men of the Reformation, walking to the left, behind de Beze, who was on Calvin’s right. The servant-woman hastened on in advance to prevent the closing of the Porte de Rive, by informing the captain of the guard that Calvin had been seized with sudden acute pains. Theodore de Beze was a native of the canton of Vezelay, which was the first to enter the Confederation, the curious history of which transaction has been written by one of the Thierrys. The burgher spirit of resistance, endemic at Vezelay, no doubt, played its part in the person of this man, in the great revolt of the Reformers; for de Beze was undoubtedly one of the most singular personalities of the Heresy. “You suffer still?” said Theodore to Calvin. “A Catholic would say, ‘like a lost soul,’” replied the Reformer, with the bitterness he gave to his slightest remarks. “Ah! I shall not be here long, my son. What will become of you without me?” “We shall fight by the light of your books,” said Chaudieu. Calvin smiled; his red face changed to a pleased expression, and he looked favorably at Chaudieu. “Well, have you brought me news? Have they massacred many of our people?” he said smiling, and letting a sarcastic joy shine in his brown eyes. “No,” said Chaudieu, “all is peaceful.” “So much the worse,” cried Calvin; “so much the worse! All pacification is an evil, if indeed it is not a trap. Our strength lies in persecution. Where should we be if the Church accepted Reform?” “But,” said Theodore, “that is precisely what the queen-mother appears to wish.” “She is capable of it,” remarked Calvin. “I study that woman--” “What, at this distance?” cried Chaudieu. “Is there any distance for the mind?” replied Calvin, sternly, for he thought the interruption irreverent. “Catherine seeks power, and women with that in their eye have neither honor nor faith. But what is she doing now?” “I bring you a proposal from her to call a species of council,” replied Theodore de Beze. “Near Paris?” asked Calvin, hastily. “Yes.” “Ha! so much the better!” exclaimed the Reformer. “We are to try to understand each other and draw up some public agreement which shall unite the two churches.” “Ah! if she would only have the courage to separate the French Church from the court of Rome, and create a patriarch for France as they did in the Greek Church!” cried Calvin, his eyes glistening at the idea thus presented to his mind of a possible throne. “But, my son, can the niece of a Pope be sincere? She is only trying to gain time.” “She has sent away the Queen of Scots,” said Chaudieu.