Some people were much edified by the piety of the old voluptuary: but others attributed his death, which took place not long after his retreat from public life, to shame and vexation, [168] The Count of Avaux, whose sagacity had detected all the plans of William, and who had vainly recommended a policy which would probably have frustrated them, was the man on whom the choice of Lewis fell.

In abilities Avaux had no superior among the numerous able diplomatists whom his country then possessed.

His demeanour was singularly pleasing, his person handsome, his temper bland.

His manners and conversation were those of a gentleman who had been bred in the most polite and magnificent of all Courts, who had represented that Court both in Roman Catholic and Protestant countries, and who had acquired in his wanderings the art of catching the tone of any society into which chance might throw him.

He was eminently vigilant and adroit, fertile in resources, and skilful in discovering the weak parts of a character.
His own character, however, was not without its weak parts.