He had further shown his desire for the friendship of the Protestant powers by the negotiations that had been carried on for the marriage of the Duke of Anjou to Queen Elizabeth.
"I have news for you," Francois said.

"The king has invited the Admiral to visit him.

It has, of course, been a matter of great debate whether Coligny should trust himself at court, many of his friends strongly dissuading him; but he deems it best, in the interests of our religion, that he should accept the invitation; and he is going to set out next week for Blois, where the king now is with the court.

He will take only a few of his friends with him.
He is perfectly aware of the risk he runs but, to those who entreat him not to trust himself at court, he says his going there may be a benefit to the cause, and that his life is as nothing in the scale.
However, he has declined the offers that have been made by many gentlemen to accompany him, and only three or four of his personal friends ride with him." "No doubt he acts wisely, there," Philip said.

"It would be well-nigh destruction to our cause, should anything befall him now; and the fewer of our leaders in Charles's hands, the less temptation to the court to seize them.
"But I do think it possible that good may come of Coligny, himself, going there.