The Catholics now considered the condition of the Protestants as desperate. The pulpits resounded with imprecations and anathemas. The Catholic priests earnestly advocated the sentiment that no faith was to be kept with heretics; that to massacre them was an action essential to the safety of the state, and which would secure the approbation of God. But the Protestants, though defeated, were still unsubdued. The noble Admiral Coligni still remained to them; and after the disaster, Jeanne d'Albret presented herself before the troops, holding her son Henry, then fourteen years of age, by one hand, and Henry, son of the Prince de Conde, by the other, and devoted them both to the cause. The young Henry of Navarre was then proclaimed _generalissimo_ of the army and _protector_ of the churches. He took the following oath: "I swear to defend the Protestant religion, and to persevere in the common cause, till death or till victory has secured for all the liberty which we desire." CHAPTER III. THE MARRIAGE. 1568-1572 Emotions of Henry.--His military sagacity.--Enthusiasm inspired by Jeanne.--The failure of Catharine.--The second defeat.--The wounded friends.--The reserve force.--Misfortunes of Coligni.--His letter.--The third army.--The tide of victory changed.--The treaty of St. Germaine-en-Laye.--Perfidy of Catharine.--The court at Rochelle.--The two courts.--Marriage of Elizabeth.--The Princess Marguerite.--Effects of the connection.--A royal match.--Repugnance of Jeanne d'Albret.--Objections overcome.--Perjury of Charles IX.--Displays of friendship.--Indifference of Marguerite.--Preparations for the wedding.--Death of Jeanne.--Demonstrations of grief.--Different reports.--The King of Navarre.--Indifference.--Coligni lured to Paris.--He is remonstrated with.--The nuptial day.--The scene.--Small favors gratefully received.--Mass.--National festivities.--The tournament.--Strange representations.--Regal courtesy.--Impediments to departure.--Mission from the Pope.--The reply. Young Henry of Navarre was but about fourteen years of age when, from one of the hills in the vicinity, he looked upon the terrible battle of Jarnac. It is reported that, young as he was, he pointed out the fatal errors which were committed by the Protestants in all the arrangements which preceded the battle. "It is folly," he said, "to think of fighting, with forces so divided, a united army making an attack at one point." For the security of his person, deemed so precious to the Protestants, his friends, notwithstanding his entreaties and even tears, would not allow him to expose himself to any of the perils of the conflict. As he stood upon an eminence which overlooked the field of battle, surrounded by a few faithful guards, he gazed with intense anguish upon the sanguinary scene spread out before him. He saw his friends utterly defeated, and their squadrons trampled in the dust beneath the hoofs of the Catholic cavalry.