However, he made a note in his mind of the natural resentment of the Duc de Guise at seeing the sublime efforts of his genius paralyzed and rendered of no account by underhand intriguing. The wrath of a Coriolanus might well, if occasion offered, serve to aid Gabriel's projects. Besides, François de Lorraine was not the only malcontent in the kingdom,--far from it. One day Gabriel encountered near the Pré-aux-Clercs Baron de la Renaudie, whom he had not seen since the morning conference in the Rue St. Jacques. Instead of avoiding a familiar face whenever he saw it approaching, as he had been in the habit of doing, Gabriel accosted the baron. The two men seemed made to appreciate each other; they were much alike in more than one respect,--notably in steadfastness and energy of character. Both were born for action, and were passionately devoted to every just cause. After exchanging salutations, La Renaudie said confidently,-- "Well, I have seen Master Ambroise Paré. You are one of us, are you not?" "In heart, yes; but in appearance, no," Gabriel replied. "And when may we expect that you will give yourself to our cause absolutely and without concealment?" "I will no longer hold with you the selfish language which perhaps angered you against me," Gabriel replied. "On the other hand, I answer thus: I will be at your service when you need me, and when I no longer need you." "That is generous, indeed!" was La Renaudie's response. "As a gentleman I admire, but as a party man I cannot hope to imitate you. However, if you but await the moment when we need the help of all our friends, know that moment has arrived." "Pray, what has happened?" asked Gabriel. "A secret blow is in preparation against those of the Religion. They propose to get rid of all the Protestants at once." "What leads you to think so?" "Why, they scarcely take pains to hide it," replied the baron. "Antoine Minard, President of the Parliament, said boldly at a council meeting at St. Germain that it was necessary to strike a decisive blow, if they did not wish to become a sort of republic like the Swiss States." "What! he uttered the word 'republic'?" cried Gabriel, in surprise. "Doubtless he exaggerated the danger so that an exaggerated remedy might be applied." "Not so much," rejoined La Renaudie, in a lower tone. "He did not exaggerate very much, in truth; for we, too, have changed our views somewhat since our meeting in Calvin's chamber, and Ambroise Paré's ideas do not seem so bold to us to-day; and then, you see, they are driving us to extreme measures." "In that case," said Gabriel, eagerly, "I may be one of you sooner than I thought." "That is pleasant to hear," cried La Renaudie. "In what direction must I keep my eyes?" asked Gabriel.