CHAPTER XIV

Here I will relate an adventure, which shows that, however wise and enlightened a man may be, he is never infallible.  M. de La Trappe had selected from amongst his brethren one who was to be his successor.  The name of this monk was D. Francois Gervaise.  He had been in the monastery for some years, had lived regularly during that time, and had gained the confidence of M. de La Trappe.  As soon, however, as he received this appointment, his manners began to change.  He acted as though he were already master, brought disorder and ill-feeling into the monastery, and sorely grieved M. de La Trapp; who, however, looked upon this affliction as the work of Heaven, and meekly resigned him self to it.  At last, Francois Gervaise was by the merest chance detected openly, under circumstances which blasted his character for ever.  His companion in guilt was brought before M. de La Trappe, to leave no doubt upon the matter.  D. Francois Gervaise, utterly prostrated, resigned his office, and left La Trappe.  Yet, even after this, he had the hardihood to show himself in the world, and to try and work himself into the favour of Pere la Chaise.  A discovery that was made, effectually stopped short his hopes in this direction.  A letter of his was found, written to a nun with whom he had been intimate, whom he loved, and by whom he was passionately loved.  It was a tissue of filthiness and stark indecency, enough to make the most abandoned tremble.  The pleasures, the regrets, the desires, the hopes of this precious pair, were all expressed in the boldest language, and with the utmost licence.  I believe that so many abominations are not uttered in several days, even in the worst places.  For this offence Gervaise might have been confined in a dungeon all his life, but he was allowed to go at large.  He wandered from monastery to monastery for five or six years, and always caused so much disorder wherever he stopped, that at last the superiors thought it best to let him live as he liked in a curacy of his brother’s.  He never ceased troubling La Trappe, to which he wished to return; so that at last I obtained a ‘lettre de cachet’, which prohibited him from approaching within thirty leagues of the abbey, and within twenty of Paris.  It was I who made known to him that his abominations had been discovered.  He was in no way disturbed, declared he was glad to be free, and assured me with the hypocrisy which never left him, that in his solitude he was going to occupy himself in studying the Holy Scriptures.

Bonnceil, introducer of the ambassadors, being dead, Breteuil obtained his post.  Breteuil was not without intellect, but aped courtly manners, called himself Baron de Breteuil, and was much tormented and laughed at by his friends.  One day, dining at the house of Madame de Pontchartrain, and, speaking very authoritatively, Madame de Pontchartrain disputed with him, and, to test his knowledge, offered to make