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ertaking at Paris depended entirely on the success of such a battle； the Count thought it fitting that I should go along with Meternic to Givet； where I found the army in a very good condition。 Then I returned to Paris； and gave an account of every particular to the Marechal de Pitri； who drew up the order for the enterprise。 The whole city of Paris seemed so disposed for an insurrection that we thought ourselves sure of success。 The secret was kept even to a miracle。 The Count gave the enemy battle and won it。 You now believe； without doubt； the day was our own。 Far from it； for the Count was killed in the very crisis of the victory； and in the midst of his own men； but how and by whom no soul could ever tell。
You may guess what a condition I was in when I heard this news； M。 de Cremail； the wisest of us all； thought of nothing else now but how to conceal the secret； which； though known to only six in all Paris； was known to too great a number； but the greatest danger of discovery was from the people of Sedan； who； being out of the kingdom； were not afraid of punishment。 Nevertheless； everybody privy to it religiously kept it secret； and stood their ground； which； with another accident I shall mention hereafter； has made me often think； and say too； that secrecy is not so rare a thing as we imagine with men versed in matters of State。
The Count's death settled me in my profession； for I saw no great things to be done； and I found myself too old to leave it for anything trifling。 Besides； Cardinal de Richelieu's health was declining； and I already began to think myself Archbishop of Paris。 I resolved that for the future I would devote myself to my profession。 Madame de Guemenee had retired to Port Royal； her country…seat。 M。 d'Andilly had got her from me。 She neither powdered nor curled her hair any longer； and had dismissed me solemnly with all the formalities required from a sincere penitent。 I discovered； by means of a valet de chambre； that； captain of the Marshal's Guards； had as free access to Meilleraye's lady as myself。 See what it is to be a saint！ The truth is； I grew much more regular；at least affected to be thought so；led a retired life； stuck to my profession； studied hard； and got acquainted with all who were famous either for learning or piety。 I converted my house almost into an academy； but took care not to erect the academy into a rigid tribunal。 I began to be pretty free with the canons and curates； whom I found of course at my uncle's house。 I did not act the devotee； because I could not be sure how long I should be able to play the counterfeit； but I had a high esteem for devout people； which with such is the main article of religion。 I suited my pleasures to my practice； and； finding I could not live without some amorous intrigue； I managed an amour with Madame de Pommereux； a young coquette； who had so many sparks； not only in her house but at her devotions； that the apparent business of others was a cover for mine； which was； at least； some time afterwards； more to the purpose。 When I had succeeded； I became a man in such request among those of my profession that the devotees themselves used to say of me with M。 Vincent； 〃Though I had not piety enough； yet I was not far from the kingdom of heaven。〃
Fortune favoured me more than usual at this time。 I was at the house of Madame de Rambure； a notable and learned Huguenot； where I met with Mestrezat； the famous minister of Charento。 To satisfy her curiosity she engaged us in a dispute； we had nine different disputations。 The Marechal de la Forde and M。 de Turenne were present at some of them； and a gentleman of Poitou； who was at all of them； became my proselyte。 As I was then but twenty…six years of age； this made a great deal of noise； and among other effects； was productive of one that had not the least connection with its cause； which I shall mention after I have done justice to a civility I received from my antagonist in one of the conferences。 I had the advantage of him in the fifth meeting； relating to the spiritual vocation； but in the sixth； treating of the Pope's authority； I was confounded； because； to avoid embroiling myself with the Court of Rome； I answered him on principles which are not so easy to be maintained as those of the Sorbonne。 My opponent perceived the concern I was under； and generously forebore to urge such passages as would have obliged me to explain myself in a manner disagreeable to the Pope's Nuncio。 I thought it extremely obliging； and as we were going out thanked him in the presence of M。 de Turenne； to which he answered； very civilly； that it would have been a piece of injustice to hinder the Abbe de Retz from being made a cardinal。 This was such complaisance as you are not to expect from every Geneva pedant。 I told you before that this conference produced one effect very different from its cause； and it is this： Madame de Vendome； of whom you have heard； without doubt； took such a fancy to me ever after； that a mother could not have been more tender。 She had been at the conference too； though I am very well assured she understood nothing of the matter； but the favourable opinion she had of me was owing to the Bishop of Lisieux； her spiritual director； who； finding I was disposed to follow my profession； which out of his great love to me he most passionately desired； made it his business to magnify the few good qualities I was master of； and I am thoroughly persuaded that what applause I had then in the world was chiefly owing to his encouragement； for there was not a man in France whose approbation could give so much honour。 His sermons had advanced him from a very mean and foreign extraction （which was Flemish） to the episcopal dignity； which he adorned with solid and unaffected piety。 His disinterestedness was far beyond that of the hermits or anchorites。 He had the courage of Saint Ambrose； and at Court and in the presence of the King he so maintained his usual freedom that the Cardinal de Richelieu； who had been his scholar in divinity； both reverenced and feared him。 This good man had that abundant kindness for me that he read me lectures thrice a week upon Saint Paul's Epistles； and he designed also the conversion of M。 de Turenne and to give me the honour of it。
M。 de Turenne had a great respect for him； whereof he gave him very； distinguishing marks。 The Comte de Brion； whom； I believe； you may remember under the title of Duc d'Amville； was deeply in love with Mademoiselle de Vendome； since Madame de Nemours； and； besides； he was a great favourite of M。 de Turenne； who； to do him a pleasure and to give him the more opportunities to see Mademoiselle de Vendome； affected to be a great admirer of the Bishop of Lisieux and to hear his exhortations with a world of attention。 The Comte de Brion； who had twice been a Capuchin； and whose life was a continual medley of sin and devotion； pretended likewise to be much interested in M。 de Turenne's conversion； and was present at all the conferences held at Mademoiselle de Vendome's apartment。 De Brion had very little wit； but was a clever talker； and had a great deal of assurance； which not very seldom supplies the room of good sen