M. DE CHEVREUSE.—HIS ABSENCE OP MIND. 249

shivered in pieces; the garden railings, which enclosed both
•sides of the court, broken down; the gates in pieces; in short,
damage was done that took a long time to repair. M. de
Chevreuse, who had not been disturbed by this uproar even for
•an instant, was quite astonished when he heard of it. M. de
Beauvilliers amused himself for a long time by reproaching him
with it, and by asking the expense.

Another adventure happened to him also at Yaucresson, and
•covered him with real confusion, comical to see, every time it
was mentioned. About ten o'clock one morning a M. Sconin,
who had formerly been his steward, was announced. "Let him
take a turn in the garden," said M. de Chevreuse, "and come
back in half an hour." He continued what he was doing, and
•completely forgot his man. Towards seven o'clock in the even-
ing Sconin was again announced. " In a moment," replied M.
de Chevreuse, without disturbing himself. A quarter of an
hour afterwards he called Sconin, and admitted him. " Ah, my
poor Sconin!" said he, " I must offer you a thousand excuses for
having caused you to lose your day."

"Not at all, Monseigneur," replied Sconin. "As I have had
the honour of knowing you for many years, I comprehended
this morning that the half-hour might be long, so I went to
Paris, did some business there, before and after dinner, and here
I am again."

M. de Chevreuse was confounded. Sconin did not keep
-silence, nor did the servants of the house. M. de Beauvilliers
made merry with the adventure when he heard of it, and ac-
•customed as M. de Chevreuse might be to his raillery, he could
not bear to have this subject alluded to. I have selected two
anecdotes out of a hundred others of the same kind, because
they characterise the man.

The liberality of M. du Maine which we have related on the
occasion of the proclamation of peace at Paris, and which
was so popular, and so surprising when viewed in connection
with the disposition of the King, soon took new development.
The Jesuits, so skilful in detecting the foibles of monarchs, and
so clever in seizing hold of everything which can protect them-