Act IV. _Raoul_ seeks _Valentine_, who has become the wife of _de

Nevers_, in her home. He wishes to be assured of the truth of what he has heard from the _Queen_. During their meeting footsteps are heard approaching and _Valentine_ barely has time to hide _Raoul_ in an adjoining room when _de Nevers_, _St. Bris_, and other noblemen of the Catholic party enter, and form a plan to be carried out that very night--the night of St. Bartholomew--to massacre the Huguenots. Only _de Nevers_ refuses to take part in the conspiracy. Rather than do so, he yields his sword to _St. Bris_ and is led away a prisoner. The priests bless the swords, _St. Bris_ and his followers swear loyalty to the bloody cause in which they are enlisted, and depart to await the order to put it into effect, the tolling of the great bell from St. Germain.

_Raoul_ comes out from his place of concealment. His one thought is to hurry away and notify his brethren of their peril. _Valentine_ seeks to detain him, entreats him not to go, since it will be to certain death. As the greatest and final argument to him to remain, she proclaims that she loves him. But already the deep-voiced bell tolls the signal. Flames, blood-red, flare through the windows. Nothing can restrain _Raoul_ from doing his duty. _Valentine_ stands before the closed door to block his egress. Rushing to a casement, he throws back the window and leaps to the street.