As soon as installed, Fenelon saw of what importance it would be to gain the entire favour of the Duc de Beauvilliers, and of his brother-in-law the Duc de Chevreuse, both very intimate friends, and both in the highest confidence of the King and Madame de Maintenon.  This was his first care, and he succeeded beyond his hopes, becoming the master of their hearts and minds, and the director of their consciences.

Madame de Maintenon dined regularly once a week at the house of one or other of the two Dukes, fifth of a little party, composed of the two sisters and the two husbands,—­with a bell upon the table, in order to dispense with servants in waiting, and to be able to talk without restraint.  Fenelon was at last admitted to this sanctuary, at foot of which all the Court was prostrated.  He was almost as successful with Madame de Maintenon as he had been with the two Dukes.  His spirituality enchanted her:  the Court soon perceived the giant strides of the fortunate Abbe, and eagerly courted him.  But, desiring to be free and entirely devoted to his great object, he kept himself aloof from their flatteries—­made for himself a shield with his modesty and his duties of preceptor—­and thus rendered himself still more dear to the persons he had captivated, and that he had so much interest in retaining in that attachment.

Among these cares he forgot not his dear Madame Guyon; he had already vaunted her to the two Dukes and to Madame de Maintenon.  He had even introduced her to them, but as though with difficulty and for a few moments, as a woman all in God, whose humility and whose love of contemplation and solitude kept her within the strictest limits, and whose fear, above all, was that she should become known.  The tone of her mind pleased Madame de Maintenon extremely; her reserve, mixed with delicate flatteries, won upon her.  Madame de Maintenon wished to hear her talk upon matters of piety; with difficulty she consented to speak.  She seemed to surrender herself to the charms and to the virtue of Madame de Maintenon, and Madame de Maintenon fell into the nets so skilfully prepared for her.

Such was the situation of Fenelon when he became Archbishop of Cambrai; increasing the admiration in which he was held by taking no step to gain that great benefice.  He had taken care not to seek to procure himself Cambrai; the least spark of ambition would have destroyed all his edifice; and, moreover, it was not Cambrai that he coveted.

Little by little he appropriated to himself some distinguished sheep of the small flock Madame Guyon had gathered together.  He only conducted them, however, under the direction of that prophetess, and, everything passed with a secrecy and mystery that gave additional relish to the manna distributed.