This excellent ecclesiastic, then sixty years of age, had been curate of Nemours ever since the re-establishment of Catholic worship.

Out of attachment to his flock he had refused the vicariat of the diocese.

If those who were indifferent to religion thought well of him for so doing, the faithful loved him the more for it.

So, revered by his sheep, respected by the inhabitants at large, the abbe did good without inquiring into the religious opinions of those he benefited.

His parsonage, with scarcely furniture enough for the common needs of life, was cold and shabby, like the lodging of a miser.