He arrived in front of the palace of Catherine de' Medici, who had not expected him, and grew pale at sight of him.
"My dear cousin," said she to him, "I am very glad to see you, but I should have been better pleased at another time." "Madame, I am come to clear myself from all the calumnies of my enemies; do me the honor to conduct me to the king yourself." Catherine lost no time in giving the king warning by one of her secretaries.

On receipt of this notice, Henry III., who had at first been stolid--and silent, rose abruptly from his chair.

"Tell my lady mother that, as she wishes to present the Duke of Guise to me, I will receive him in the chamber of the queen my wife." The envoy departed.

The king, turning to one of his officers, Colonel Alphonso Corso, said to him, "M.

de Guise has just arrived at Paris, contrary to my orders.