VIII. MARTYRDOM
The cardinal went straight to the queen-mother.
“I hold the threads of the conspiracy of the heretics,” said Catherine. “They have sent me this treaty and these documents by the hands of that child,” she added.
During the time that Catherine was explaining matters to the cardinal, Queen Mary whispered a few words to the grand-master.
“What is all this about?” asked the young king, who was left alone in the midst of the violent clash of interests.
“The proofs of what I was telling to your Majesty have not been long in reaching us,” said the cardinal, who had grasped the papers.
The Duc de Guise drew his brother aside without caring that he interrupted him, and said in his ear, “This makes me lieutenant-general without opposition.”
A shrewd glance was the cardinal’s only answer; showing his brother that he fully understood the advantages to be gained from Catherine’s false position.
“Who sent you here?” said the duke to Christophe.
“Chaudieu, the minister,” he replied.