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It must be admitted that a permanent gibbet and a pillory, "a justice and a ladder," as they were called in that day, erected side by side in the centre of the pavement, contributed not a little to cause eyes to be turned away from that fatal place, where so many beings full of life and health have agonized; where, fifty years later, that fever of Saint Vallier was destined to have its birth, that terror of the scaffold, the most monstrous of all maladies because it comes not from God, but from man.
Next comes St. Vallier, an ancient little town close to the river-side, with its castle of the beauty who never grew old, Diane de Poitiers she whose mysterious cosmetic was a daily plunge in cold water; so say the initiated in historic secrets. Opposite to St. Vallier rises a chain of sunny, vine-covered hills, with sharp clefts showing deep shadow.
Vallier, and to speak frankly, he did not appear to be in a hurry to approve of them, as his views regarding the Congregation were for many years unsettled and wavering.
When my health was reestablished I went to lodge with the 'Daughters of the Cross, in the Rue St. Antoine. In this community I received light in many things relating to our holy rules and constitutions. Understanding from these good religieuses, that M. de St. Vallier was staying at the College of Foreign Missions, I went there to ask his blessing, as I felt in duty bound.
He wasn't a generous victor. As long as W. was at the Foreign Office things went very smoothly. He and St. Vallier thought alike on most subjects, home politics and foreign and since the Berlin Congress, where W. had come in touch with all the principal men in Germany, it was of course much easier for them to work together.
He always honored and esteemed Sister Bourgeois, and watched over her with singular interest. He died, as he had lived, a Saint, May 6, 1708. M. de St. Vallier devoted himself to the affairs of his diocese without intermission, and it was in the hands of this new prelate that Sister placed the copy of her rules and constitutions.
"I was not more fond of the brother I lost at Melegnano," said the constable; "I should not have felt more sure of him." "Well, then," rejoined St. Vallier, "fancy that it is that brother who is speaking to you, and take in good part what he is about to say to you.
It was mostly composed of what are here called Pensionaires; people who dine there constantly, paying a smaller sum than the common rate of three francs. The company was, therefore, rather low, and the table scantily provided; but I should think, that for gentlemen travellers, a table d'hôte, where a good one is held, would be the best manner of dining. Distance 30 miles to St Vallier.
Diane de Poitiers, a true chasseresse des bouquins, was herself the daughter of a bibliophile. The Comte de St. Vallier loved books in Italian bindings, and there is a Roman de Perceforest in the collection of the Duc d'Aumale, that bears the Saint Vallier arms and marks of ownership, though it was confidently believed to have been bound for Grolier when it belonged to King Louis-Philippe.
The countess listened in silence, and when I had finished turned severely upon me, saying, ``Monsieur, up to this moment I have believed you an honest man; but now I really don't know what to think of you. Of course I was dumfounded, but presently the reason for the remark occurred to me, and I said, ``Madam, M. de St. Vallier serves France.
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