the moderation of the founder, in conformity with the lukewarmness of
the times, had excluded from his new institution the austerity of the
ancient orders--those cruel practices that annihilated the senses in
destroying the body itself; consequently, there was no activity, nor
study, nor austerity. In this vacuum two things were evident from the
very outset: on one side, narrow-mindedness, a taste for trivial
observances, and a fantastical system of devotion (Madame de Chantal
tatooed her bosom with the name of Jesus); on the other side, an
unreasonable and boundless attachment to the _Director_.

In everything relating to St. Francois de Sales the saint shows herself
very weak. After his death she raves, and allows herself to be guided
by dreams and visions. She fancies that she perceives his dear
presence, in the churches, amid celestial perfumes, perceptible to her
alone. She lays upon his tomb a little book composed of all he had
written or said upon the Visitation, praying "that if there was
anything in it contrary to his intentions, he would have the goodness
to efface it."

In 1631, ten years after the death of St. Francois de Sales, his tomb
was solemnly opened, and his body was found entire. "It was placed in
the sacristy of the monastery, where, about nine o'clock at night,
after the crowd had withdrawn, she led her community, and began praying
by the side of the body, 'in an ecstasy of love and humility.' As they
were forbidden to touch it, she did a signal act of obedience in
abstaining from kissing his hand. The following morning, having
obtained permission, she stooped down in order to place the saint's
hand upon her head; when, as if he had been alive, he drew her towards
him, and held her in a paternal and tender caress: she felt very
plainly this supernatural movement.... They still keep, as a double
relic, the veil she then wore."

Let others be at a loss to find out the real name of this worthy
sentiment, or let a false reserve prevent them; let them term it filial
piety, or fraternal affection; we, for our part, call it simply by a
name that we believe holy--we shall call it love. We are bound to
believe the saint himself, when he assures us that this sentiment
contributed powerfully to his spiritual progress. However, this is not
sufficient; we must see what effect it had upon Madame de Chantal.

All the doctrine to be found in the writings of St. Francois, among
much excellent pract