"Yes, I remember," said he, "I have no longer any hesitation; I consent to the operation." "And so do I," said Mary Stuart, enlightened, no doubt, by her love. "But not I!" cried Catherine. "What, Madame! not when you have been told that it is our only chance?" said Mary. "Who says so?" demanded the queen-mother. "Master Ambroise Paré, a heretic, forsooth! Besides, it is not the opinion of the physicians." "No, Madame," said Chapelain; "and these gentlemen and myself protest against the remedy that Master Paré proposes." "Ah, do you hear?" cried Catherine, in triumph. Le Balafré, in great agitation, led the queen-mother into the embrasure of a window, and said in an undertone, with clinched teeth,-- "Madame, hearken to me! You wish that your son should die, and the Prince de Condé should live! You are in accord with the Bourbons and the Montmorencys! The bargain is made, and the spoils divided in advance! I know everything! Take care! I know everything, I tell you!" But Catherine de Médicis was not one of those who are easily intimidated; and the Duc de Guise made a serious mistake. She only understood the better how essential it was for her to adopt a bold course, since her enemy thus removed his mask. She cast a withering glance upon him, and breaking away from his grasp with a sudden movement, ran to the folding-doors, and herself threw them open to their fullest extent. "Monsieur le Chancelier!" she cried. L'Hôpital, according to the orders he had received, was waiting in the large hall. He had collected there all of the partisans of the queen-mother and the princes whom he had been able to find. At Catherine's call he came quickly forward, and the group of nobles pressed inquisitively toward the open door. "Monsieur le Chancelier," continued Catherine, raising her voice that she might be heard by all, "it is proposed to authorize a violent and desperate operation upon the person of the king. Master Paré proposes to pierce his head with an instrument of his own devising. I, his mother, with these three physicians, protest against this crime. Monsieur le Chancelier, record my protest." "Close that door!" cried the Duc de Guise. Despite the remonstrances of the gentlemen collected in the great hall, Gabriel did as the duke ordered. The chancellor alone remained in the king's chamber. "Now, Monsieur le Chancelier," said Le Balafré, "be pleased to understand that the operation which has been mentioned is absolutely necessary; and that the queen and myself, lieutenant-general of the kingdom, will be answerable, if not for the operation, at all events for the surgeon." "And I," cried Ambroise Paré, "at this supreme moment, assume all the responsibility that you choose to impose upon me; yes, I consent that my own life may pay the forfeit if I do not succeed in saving the king's. But, alas! it is full time. Look at the king! look!"