Act I. Touraine. _Count de Nevers_, one of the leaders of the Catholic

party, has invited friends to a banquet at his château. Among these is _Raoul de Nangis_, a Huguenot. He is accompanied by an old retainer, the Huguenot soldier, _Marcel_. In the course of the fête it is proposed that everyone shall toast his love in a song. _Raoul_ is the first to be called upon. The name of the beauty whom he pledges in his toast is unknown to him. He had come to her assistance while she was being molested by a party of students. She thanked him most graciously. He lives in the hope of meeting her again.

_Marcel_ is a fanatic Huguenot. Having followed his master to the banquet, he finds him surrounded by leaders of the party belonging to the opposite faith. He fears for the consequences. In strange contrast to the glamour and gaiety of the festive proceedings, he intones Luther's hymn, "A Stronghold Sure." The noblemen of the Catholic party instead of becoming angry are amused. _Marcel_ repays their levity by singing a fierce Huguenot battle song. That also amuses them.

At this point the _Count de Nevers_ is informed that a lady is in the garden and wishes to speak with him. He leaves his guests who, through an open window, watch the meeting. _Raoul_, to his surprise and consternation, recognizes in the lady none other than the fair creature whom he saved from the molestations of the students and with whom he has fallen in love. Naturally, however, from the circumstances of her meeting with _de Nevers_ he cannot but conclude that a liaison exists between them.

_De Nevers_ returns, rejoins his guests. _Urbain_, the page of _Queen Marguerite de Valois_, enters. He is in search of _Raoul_, having come to conduct him to a meeting with a gracious and noble lady whose name, however, is not disclosed. _Raoul's_ eyes having been bandaged, he is conducted to a carriage and departs with _Urbain_, wondering what his next adventure will be.