im
softly. "Monsieur," he said, "I know that you intend to fight a duel;
and I tell you, as a message from my Saviour, before whom you kneel,
that if you do not renounce this intention His judgment will fall on
you and yours." The Count, after a moment's silence, promised to give
up his project, and faithfully kept his word. It was the greatest
sacrifice that could have been asked of a man in de Gondi's
position, and it was a thing unheard of at the time for a priest to
lay down the law to a great nobleman. But the influence of sanctity
is strong, and the Count was noble; for him it was the beginning of a
better life.

The de Gondis usually spent part of the year at their country house
in Picardy, where they had large estates. Here the love of the poor
which Vincent had fostered in Madame de Gondi was in its element, and
she delighted in visiting her tenants, tending the sick with her own
hands, and seconding all M. Vincent's plans for their welfare.

It happened one day that Vincent was sent to the bedside of a dying
peasant who had always borne a good character and was considered an
excellent Christian. The man was conscious, and Vincent--moved, no
doubt, by the direct inspiration of God--urged him to make a General
Confession. There was much need, for he had been concealing for long
years several mortal sins which he was ashamed to confess, profaning
the Sacraments and deceiving all who knew him. Moved with contrition
by M. Vincent's words, he confessed his crimes, acknowledging his
guilt also to Madame de Gondi, who came to visit him after Vincent
had departed.

"Ah Madame," he cried, "if I had not made that General Confession my
soul would have been lost for all eternity!"

The incident made a lasting impression on both Vincent and the
Countess. Here was a man who for years had been living in deceit and
making an unworthy use of the Sacraments. How many others might be in
like case! It was a terrible thought. "Ah, Monsieur Vincent," cried
the great lady, "how many souls are being lost! Can you do nothing to
help them?"

Her words found an echo in Vincent's heart. Next Sunday he preached a
sermon in the parish church on the necessity of General Confession.
It was the first of the famous mission sermons destined to do so much
good in France. While he spoke, Madame de Gondi prayed, and the
result far surpassed their expectations. So great were the crowds
that flocked to Confession that Vincent was unable to cop