[Footnote 92: Théod. de Bèze, _Vie de Calvin_ (French text), p. 11. 'In agro Biturigum ... mors patris nuntiata in patriam vocavit.'—Ibid. in Latin text.] [Footnote 93: 'Repentina mors patris,' says Beza. This _sudden_ death proves that Calvin's father did not die, as some assert, of the long illness described in the letter to Duchemin.] [Footnote 94: _Dédicace de la 2ᵉ aux Corinthiens._] CHAPTER XVI. BERQUIN, THE MOST LEARNED OF THE NOBILITY, A MARTYR FOR THE GOSPEL. (1529.) When Calvin passed through the capital on his way from Bourges to Noyon, on the occasion of his father's death, he might have remarked a certain agitation among his acquaintances. In fact, the Sorbonne was increasing its exertions to destroy Berquin, who, forsaken by almost everybody, had no one to support him but God and the Queen of Navarre. [Sidenote: MARGARET'S SORROWS.] Margaret, who was at St. Germain-en-Laye, enjoyed but little repose. The brilliant court of Francis I. filled the noble palace with their pastimes. Early in the morning every one was afoot; the horns sounded, and the king set off, accompanied by the King of Navarre, a crowd of nobles, the Duchess of Etampes, and many other ladies, and joined one of those great hunting parties of which he was so fond. Margaret, remaining alone, recalled her sorrows, and sought the _one thing needful_. Her husband sometimes indulged in gaming, and the queen entreated Montmorency to give him good advice. Henry, who thought his wife rather too pious, complained of this with all the impetuosity of his character. It was not Margaret's only vexation. At first her mother had appeared to take part with the Reformation. One day, in December 1522, Louisa of Savoy had said to her daughter, who was delighted to hear it: 'By the grace of the Holy Ghost, my son and I are beginning to know these hypocrites, white, black, grey, and all colours.... May God, by his mercy and infinite goodness, defend us from them; for, if Jesus Christ is not a liar, there is no such dangerous brood in all human nature.'[95] But this princess, whose morality was more than doubtful, had now become reconciled, and even leagued with these 'hypocrites black, white, and grey,' and the king was beginning to give them his support. Thus Margaret saw the three objects of her tenderest affection alienating themselves from God; and remaining at the palace while Francis with his lords and ladies and his hounds was chasing the wild animals, she walked sadly in the park, saying to herself: Father and mother I have none; Brother and sister—all are gone, Save God, in whom I trust alone, Who rules the earth from his high throne. All these loved ones I would forget; Parents and friends, the world, its joys, Honour and wealth however great, I hold my deepest enemies! Hence, ye delights! Whose vanity Jesus the Christ has shown to me!