is there, and ask him to bring me a handkerchief.” The gentleman delivered his message, but was not allowed to go back to the hall. The page meanwhile fetched the handkerchief from the Duke’s secretary. Even at this eleventh hour there was an attempt to save him. The secretary tied up a note in a corner of the handkerchief. “Sauvez-vous, ou vous êtes mort,” it ran, but it did not reach him.... Guise had seated himself in the Council. He suddenly turned faint; his face assumed a deathly pallor. “I am cold; light the fire!” he said; and, after a pause: “My heart is failing.” But he quickly pulled himself together, and asked for “any trifle to revive him--conserve of roses, or Damascus grapes from the King’s cupboard.”... Nothing could be found but Brignoles plums. They were brought, and he put some in the little sweetmeat-box that he carried; it was gilt, and in the shape of a shell. The business of the court proceeded. ‘Meanwhile, the King was waiting in his closet in the greatest agitation. “Révol,” he said to one standing by, “go and tell Monsieur de Guise to come and speak to me in my _vieux cabinet_.” Révol obeyed, but was stopped by an usher in the antechamber. He returned trembling. “_Mon Dieu_, Révol!” cried the King; “what is the matter? How pale you are! You will spoil all--you will spoil all for me! Rub your cheeks--rub your cheeks hard, Révol!” His Majesty then gave orders that Révol was to be allowed to pass and to return with Guise. When Révol entered the Council Chamber, a député was speaking upon the _Gabelle_; Guise was eating Brignoles plums. “Monsieur,” began Révol, “the King requests your presence; he is in his _vieux cabinet_.”... Guise was leisurely. He put a few plums back into his box, and threw the rest upon the ground. “Messieurs,” he asked, “would anybody like some?” Then, rolling up his cloak, and taking it, with his long gloves and his sweet-box, under his left arm, he prepared to follow Révol. “Adieu, messieurs,” he said, as he went off the stage. He knocked at the King’s door; the usher opened it....