As for the Catholics of his party, the King endeavored only to
remove their fears that, looking upon them as persons of whom he was
already secure, he would apply himself wholly to gaining the rest by
bestowing all rewards upon them. He therefore at last declared publicly
that on July 20, 1593, he would perform his abjuration, and named the
Church of St. Denis for this ceremony.
[2] Henry IV was always sensible that his abjuration would expose
him to great dangers, which made him write in this manner to
Mademoiselle d'Estrees: "On Sunday I shall take a dangerous leap.
While I am writing to you I have a hundred troublesome people
about me, which makes me detest St. Denis as much as you do
Mantes," etc.
This declaration threw the League into confusion, and filled the hearts
of the people and the Catholics of the royal party with joy. The
Protestants, although they had expected it, discovered their discontent
by signs and low murmurs, and did, for form's sake, all that such a
juncture required of them, but they did not go beyond the bounds of
obedience. All the ecclesiastics, with Du Perron, intoxicated with his
triumph, at their head, flocked together; everyone was desirous of a
share in this work. Du Perron, for whom I had obtained the bishopric of
Evreux, thought he could not show his gratitude for it in a better manner
than by exercising his functions of converter upon me.
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