Madame Serpent

  Madalenna looked fearfully at her mistress, who was holding a kerchief to her eyes.

  ‘Madame,’ stammered Madalenna, ‘I wish to offer― my― my deep

  sympathy.’

  Catherine answered from the depth of the kerchief: ‘You may go,

  Madalenna. Leave me― leave me―’

  As the door shut on Madalenna, Catherine thrust the kerchief into her mouth to stifle the gusty laughter which was shaking her.

  Madalenna’s sympathy! Perhaps others in this palace would be sorry for a

  woman whom they believed to have lost her lover?

  Poor Vidame, she thought. This is the end of your flirtation with a Queen; it is also the end of the brilliant career you planned for yourself. You have been the first to learn that it is unwise to ignore the wishes of Catherine de’ Medici.

  She was exultant. Thoughts of murder had haunted her for so long; now she would be their master. She understood much now. The future, brilliant and powerful, stretched out before her; and she was free to take what she wanted.

  She had been the victim of her emotions― hot-blooded, impetuous, making so many mistakes. She had been Catherine de’ Medici in love.

  But now she was free. It was the end of Catherine de’ Medici in love.

  ―――――――

  THE END

  ―――――――

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  HENRY THE BRIDEGROOM

  CATERINA THE BRIDE

  THE WEDDING

  THE MISTRESS

  CATHERINE THE WIFE

  THE LOVE CHILD

  THE FRIGHTENED DAUPHINE

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11