THE ACT OF ABJURING PROTESTANTISM.
Ceremony in the Church of St. Denis.
The Archbishop of Bourges was seated at the entrance of the church in a chair draped with white damask. The Cardinal of Bourbon, and several bishops glittering in pontifical robes, composed his brilliant retinue. The monks of St. Denis were also in attendance, clad in their sombre attire, bearing the cross, the Gospels, and the holy water. Thus the train of the exalted dignitary of the Church even eclipsed in splendor the suite of the king.
As Henry approached the door of the church, the archbishop, as if to repel intrusion, imperiously inquired,
"Who are you?"
"I am the king," Henry modestly replied.
"What do you desire?" demanded the archbishop.
"I ask," answered the king, "to be received into the bosom of the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman religion."
"Do you desire this sincerely?" rejoined the archbishop.