“No,” said Chaudieu, “all is peaceful.”
“So much the worse,” cried Calvin; “so much the worse! All pacification is an evil, if indeed it is not a trap. Our strength lies in persecution. Where should we be if the Church accepted Reform?”
“But,” said Theodore, “that is precisely what the queen-mother appears to wish.”
“She is capable of it,” remarked Calvin. “I study that woman—”
“What, at this distance?” cried Chaudieu.
“Is there any distance for the mind?” replied Calvin, sternly, for he thought the interruption irreverent. “Catherine seeks power, and women with that in their eye have neither honor nor faith. But what is she doing now?”
“I bring you a proposal from her to call a species of council,” replied Theodore de Beze.
“Near Paris?” asked Calvin, hastily.
“Yes.”
“Ha! so much the better!” exclaimed the Reformer.