The infidelity, the bravado, the audacity, the menaces, and the enterprises of the Huguenots were magnified with so much of truth and art that from friends behold them converted into enemies of the king, who, nevertheless, wavering as ever, could not yet give up the desire he had conceived of winning glory and reputation by war with Spain." A fresh incident increased the agitation in the royal circle.

In July, 1572, the throne of Poland had become vacant.

A Polish embassy came to offer it to the Duke of Anjou.

On his part and his mother's, there was at first great eagerness to accept it; Catherine was charmed to see her favorite son becoming a king.

"If we had required," says a Polish historian, "that the French should build a bridge of solid gold over the Vistula, they would have agreed." Hesitation soon took the place of eagerness; Henry demanded information, and took time to reply.