It was not only that he was wanting in the grace and beauty that reigned around him, but that his presence made those very graces and beauties to look small.

He seemed to have a gift the reverse of that bestowed upon King Midas--the gold on which his heavy hand was laid seemed to become rubbish.

In the presence of the late Viscount, and in that of Madame his widow, you would have felt fully the deep importance of your dress being _a la mode_, and your complexion _a la_ strawberries and cream (such influences still exist); but let the burly tutor appear upon the scene, and all the magic died at once out of brocaded silks and pearl-coloured stockings, and dress and complexion became subjects almost of insignificance.
Monsieur the Preceptor was certainly a singular man to have been chosen as an inmate of such a household; but, though young, he had unusual talents, and added to them the not more usual accompaniments of modesty and trustworthiness.

To crown all, he was rigidly pious in times when piety was not fashionable, and an obedient son of the church of which he was a minister.

Moreover, a family that fashion does not permit to be demonstratively religious, may gain a reflected credit from an austere chaplain; and so Monsieur the Preceptor remained in the chateau and went his own way.