religion are they?"

Poulain laughed. "Of all, monseigneur; or, rather, of none; gold is
their god, and blood their prophet."

"Yes; but their politics? Are they Valois, Leaguers, Navarrais, or
what?"

"Robbers only."

"Monseigneur," said Cruce, "do not suppose that we mean to take these
people for allies!"

"No, I do not suppose so; and that is what disturbs me."

"And why so, monseigneur?" they asked with surprise.

"Because as soon as there are no longer magistrates in Paris, as soon as
there is no longer royalty, or public force, or anything to restrain
them, they will begin to pillage your shops while you fight, and your
houses while you occupy the Louvre. Sometimes they will join the Swiss
against you, and sometimes you against the Swiss, so that they will
always be the strongest."

"Diable!" cried the deputies, looking at each other.

"I think this is a question for grave consideration, gentlemen," said
the duke. "I will think it over, and endeavor to find the means of
overcoming the difficulty; your interests, before our own, has ever been
our maxim."