She went to her son's room that night, artfully and eloquently pictured the danger he was in, confessed to him that she had authorized the attempt upon Coligny, but that it was done because of the admiral's plottings against him, which she had discovered.

But the Guises--her enemies and his--they knew it, and would denounce her and the king! The only thing now is to finish the work.

He must die.
Charles was in frightful agitation and stubbornly refused.

Finally, with an air of offended dignity, she bowed coldly and said to her son, "Sir, will you permit me to withdraw with my daughter from your kingdom ?" The wretched Charles was conquered.

In a sort of insane fury he exclaimed, "Well, let them kill him, and all the rest of the Huguenots too.