His whole soul vibrated to the appeal.

He already hated the man by whose superior intellect he was overawed, and by whose pure character he was shamed.

He stoutly but secretly swore that he would assert his own rights; and that he would no longer serve as a shadow, a statue, a zero, a Matthias.

It is needless to add, that neither in his own judgment nor in that of his mignons, were the constitutional articles which he had recently sworn to support, or the solemn treaty which he had signed and sealed at Bordeaux, to furnish any obstacles to his seizure of unlimited power, whenever the design could be cleverly accomplished.

He rested not, day or night, in the elaboration of his plan.
Early in January, 1583, he sent one night for several of his intimate associates, to consult with him after he had retired to bed.