Two or three other Huguenot gentlemen now entered, and a general conversation on the state of affairs took place. Philip was standing a little apart from the others, when Claire came up to him.
"You really believe in danger, Monsieur Philip?"
"Frankly I do, mademoiselle. The population hate us. There have been Huguenot massacres over and over again in Paris. The Guises are doubtless the instigators of this attack on the Admiral. They are the idols of the Paris mob and, if they gave the word, it would at once rise against us. As I told your father, I have no real reason for uneasiness, but nevertheless I am uneasy."
"Then the danger must be real," the girl said simply. "Have you any advice to give me?"
"Only this. You have but a week to stay here in Paris. During that time, make excuses so as not to stir abroad in the streets more than you can help; and in the second place I would say, lie down in your clothes at night, so as to be in readiness to rise, instantly."
"I will do that," she said. "There is nothing else?"
"Nothing that I can think of. I hope and trust that the emergency will not come; but at any rate, until it does come, we can do no more."
A few minutes later, Philip and his cousin took their leave. The former went back to his lodgings, the latter to the Louvre. Philip was surprised at not finding Pierre, and sat up later than usual, expecting his return; but it was not till he was rising next morning that the man made his appearance.
"Why, where have you been all night?" Philip asked angrily. "This is not the time for pleasure."
"I have been outside the walls, master," Pierre said.