"My Lord, the inner gate is forced. We have no means of resisting."
"It is long since," replied Coligny, calmly, "that I prepared myself to die. Save yourselves all who can. Me, you cannot defend. I commend my soul to the mercy of God."
He arose from his bed, and being unable to stand upright, on account of his wounds, supported himself with his back against the wall. The first who burst into his chamber was a grim German, servant to the Duke of Guise.
"Are you the Admiral?"
"Yes. I am he."
And the illustrious man, fixing his eyes without emotion on the naked sword of his murderer, said, with the dignity of a Christian,
"Young man! you ought to respect my age and infirmities."
The answer of the assassin was to plunge his weapon deep in that noble bosom. The Duke of Guise traversed the court below, with breathless impatience. To his fierce spirit, every moment seemed an age.
"Is the work done?" he asked.
"It is finished, my Lord!"