“an equerry of the duke’s came one day to say that he was expected to dinner at Conde’s house.  ‘I shall not have the honor of going,’ said he; ’it is more than a week since I have seen my wife and children who are making holiday to-day to feast with me on a very fine carp; I cannot give up dining with them.’  And, when the equerry persisted, he sent for the carp, which was worth about a crown.  ‘Judge for yourself,’ said he, ’whether I can disappoint these poor children who have made up their minds to regale me, and would not enjoy it if they were to eat this dish without me.’  He was loving by nature,” adds Louis Racine; “he was loving towards God when he returned to Him; and, from the day of his return to those who, from his infancy, had taught him to know Him, he was so towards them without any reserve; he was so all his life towards his friends, towards his wife, and towards his children.”

Boileau had undertaken the task of reconciling his friend with Port-Royal.  Nicole had made no opposition, “not knowing what war was.”  M. Arnauld was intractable.  Boileau one day made up his mind to take him a copy of Phedre, pondering on the way as to what he should say to him.  “Shall this man,” said he, “be always right, and shall I never be able to prove him wrong?  I am quite sure that I shall be right to-day; if he is not of my opinion,—­he will be wrong.”  And, going to M. Arnauld’s, where he found a large company, be set about developing his thesis, pulling out Phedre, and maintaining that if tragedy were dangerous, it was the fault of the poets.  The younger theologians listened to him disdainfully, but at last M. Arnauld said out loud, “If things are as he says, he is right, and such tragedy is harmless.”  Boileau declared that he had never felt so pleased in his life.  M. Arnauld being reconciled to Phedre, the principal step was made next day the author of the tragedy presented himself.  The culprit entered, humility and confusion depicted on his face; he threw himself at the feet of M. Arnauld, who took him in his arms; Racine was thenceforth received into favor by Port-Royal.  The two friends were preparing to set out with the king for the campaign of 1677.  The besieged towns opened their gates before the poets had left Paris.  “How is it that you had not the curiosity to see a siege?” the king asked them on his return:  “it was not a long trip.”  “True, sir,” answered Racine, always the greater courtier of the two, “but our tailors were too slow.  We had ordered travelling suits; and when they were brought home, the places which your Majesty was besieging were taken.”  Louis XIV. was not displeased.  Racine thenceforth accompanied him in all his campaigns; Boileau, who ailed a great deal, and was of shy disposition, remained at Paris.  His friend wrote to, him constantly, at one time from the camp and at another from Versailles, whither he returned with the king.  “Madame de Maintenon told me, this, morning,” writes