This education he accomplished with all the care of a lover, father, master, and husband; but he did it soberly and discreetly; he managed both enjoyments and instructions in such a manner as not to destroy the value of her religious ideas.

In short, he carried out his enterprise with the wisdom of a great master.

At the end of four years, he had the happiness of having formed in the Comtesse de Vandenesse one of the most lovable and remarkable young women of our day.
Marie-Angelique felt for Felix precisely the feelings with which Felix desired to inspire her,--true friendship, sincere gratitude, and a fraternal love, in which was mingled, at certain times, a noble and dignified tenderness, such as tenderness between husband and wife ought to be.

She was a mother, and a good mother.

Felix had therefore attached himself to his young wife by every bond without any appearance of garroting her,--relying for his happiness on the charms of habit.
None but men trained in the school of life--men who have gone round the circle of disillusionment, political and amorous--are capable of following out a course like this.