The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-25

the Jester'' and 'aThe Forty-five Guards men," These three stories are written h Dumas most lively and dramatic style Whatever doubt may be cast upon the authorship of some of the stories puo- lished under the name of Dumas there can be none as to the authorship of the .'yalois Romances" A vast number of historical characters are introduced into the stories and, for the most part, these characters are well drawn and clothed with a living reality. The dialogues are natural and, though somewhat drawn ou-i do not bore one. The conversation is SC naturally carried on that one feels as if hearing the characters speak-as If he were a courier at the Louvre listening to Catherine de Medcis, Henry of Ma varre. Charles and the fair and frail Marguerite speaking from their hearts or from the depths of their vast dlssim- ulation. No more historical record can give such a living idea of the reign or the House of Valois as these three TO- mances.
 ~ PLENDID indeed was the fete with
 which Charles TX celebrated the o marriage of his sister. Marguerite de Valois, with Henry of Bourbon, King of Navarro. Henry, the King of NaVarre' had come to the French capital for the marriage ceremony not without some misgivngs-it was like venturing into the lions den For Henry was called King of the Huguenots," and professed the Cal whistle religion, while, under the lnfiu- euce of the queen mother, Catherine de Medicis, Charles had heretofore been a hitter prosecutor of the adherents of the new faith The Huguenot party was strong. and eminent leaders on both sides had been assassinating each other for some time in quite social manner
 ''It is no longer a matter of reiigion' but of politics." decided the astute Cath crime "The party of Coligny and Henry of Bourbon must be exterminated, my son, or they will pull you from your throne" And Charles had replied: sI am equally King of Catholic and Pro- testant; they are all my children. The marriage of my dear Marguerite with the King of Navarro will be a fresh proof that I love my subjects without regard to their religious preference"
 Then turning to Coligny, to whom he had a few days before given the privilege of entering his presence unannounced, he embraced him, called him father and drew him aside to talk over the plans for a Flemish campaign which he was medi- tating. Not a word of this to any one, father Admiral" said the King, Test it get to the ears of the queen-mother, who is always polzing her nose into my af- fairs" So Charles showered honors and condolences upon the leading Protestants, married his sister to Henry of Bourbon and drew to Paris for the celebration Of the marriage all the most prominent Pro- testant leaders of the provinces. Old wounds were healed, peace and concord were apparently kissing each other at the Louvre and the political sky, so tumul- was sun-lit and serene.
 But Henry of Navarro was not de- ceived The more calm and sunny affairs seemed the more he dreaded the dangers and storms which, he felt instinctively, were gathering below the horizon. He knew that he was virtually a prisoner in the Louvre and that his very life was in danger from those sinister forces which had poisoned his mother and poniarded 
 ite. she was most beautiful and the most accomplished princess of Europe and though her name had not been untouched py scandal this regal daughter Of France was the object of universal admiration and the only human being for whom Charles had any real affection. An, yes, there was the other, two others, in fact, a peasant woman and her child living in a little house in an obscure street whither the King used secretly to repair. But those do not enter into the consider alton of the great and momentous events through which moved the principal char acters in the romantic and tragic story of Marguerite de Valois
 On the night of the marriage of Mar guerite and Henry a curious scene had taken place in the apartments of the newly made queen. Henry appeared es- c,rled by two pages bearing huge tapers of pink wax He bade the pages wait for hi.n in the gallery and then said smiling 1y to Marguerite: Madame, were you, by chance, waiting for mel" ''No." she replied, though I am honored by this unexpected call from your majesty. You said to me yesterday that our marriage was purely political one and that you would never thwart my wishes" Shall I call your women?" asked the King, ad- vancing toward a closet before the eoor Of which hung a. curtain. No, mo-" ex- claimed Marguerite in alarm. "It is best so; I wish to confer alone with you" But the King had discovered what he to wa hid- den in that closet, It was, in fact, the Duke de Guise. who had come to bring back to the Queen some old and foolish love letters which she had written him, and which, now that she was married, she desired to destroy.
 Madame" said Henry, taking a seat close to his wife, ''whatever people may say about our marriage, l think 1t is a good one. I stand well with you-you stand well with me. If we can be nothing more to each other let us be good allies know, madame, how great is your pen etration; know that the ground at court is intersected with dangerous abysses Now, l am young, and though I have never injured anyone I have many ene- mics. In which camp-that of my friends or my foes-ought I to range one who vowed her affection for me at the foot of the altar? It is quite certain, madame that our marriage is merely pretext or a snare. T am menaced on all sides, and those menaces must soon become attacks Well, can defend myself with you, for you are beloved by all the people who hate me- I will not ask you to love me but, if you will, be my ally. If you be-