The place might have been swept clean, at that moment, of rebels who were not yet armed or fortified in their positions.

The Lord had delivered Guise into Henry's hands.

"Oh, the madman!"-- cried Sixtus V., when he heard that the Duke had gone to Paris, "thus to put himself into the clutches of the King whom he had so deeply offended!" And, "Oh, the wretched coward, the imbecile ?" he added, when he heard how the King had dealt with his great enemy.
For the monarch was in his cabinet that May morning, irresolutely awaiting the announced visit of the Duke.

By his aide stood Alphonse Corse, attached as a mastiff to his master, and fearing not Guise nor Leaguer, man nor devil.
"Sire, is the Duke of Guise your friend or enemy ?" said Alphonse.

The King answered by an expressive shrug.
"Say the word, Sire," continued Alphonse, "and I pledge myself to bring his head this instant, and lay it at your feet." And he would have done it.