This vogue and role, the dealings that he had with women and the possession of all their secrets, so many confidences and so much knowledge on all subjects, his intercourse of all kinds with the dignitaries and lady-treasurers of various societies, and the acquaintance he had, thanks to the steps he was obliged to take in the interests of charity, with all the important personages of Paris, all the influence that, as a clever, discreet, and obliging priest, he had succeeded in obtaining, had given to the Abbe Blampoix an immense power and authority which radiated silently and unseen. Worldly interests and social ambitions were confessed to him. Nearly all the marriageable individuals in society were recommended to this priest, who professed no political preferences, who mixed with every one, and who was admirably placed for bringing families together, for uniting houses, arranging matches of expediency or balancing social positions, pairing off money with money, or joining an ancient title to a newly made fortune. It was as though marriages in Paris had an occult Providence in the person of this rare sort of man in whom were blended the priest and the lawyer, the apostle and the diplomatist--Fenelon and M. de Foy. The Abbe Blampoix had an income of sixteen hundred pounds, the half of which he gave to the poor. He had refused a bishopric for the sake of remaining what he was--a priest. "To whom have I the honour," began the abbe, who appeared to be searching his memory for a name. "Mme. Mauperin, the mother of Mme. Davarande." "Oh, excuse me, madame, excuse me. Your family are not persons whom one could forget. Do sit down, please--let me give you this arm-chair." And then, taking a seat himself with his back to the light, he continued: "I like to think of that marriage, which gave me the opportunity of making your acquaintance--the marriage of your daughter with M. Davarande. You and I, madame, you, with the devotion of a mother, and I--well, with just the feeble insight of a humble priest--brought about a truly Christian marriage, a marriage which has satisfied the needs of the dear child as regards her religion and her affection and which was also in accordance with her social position. Mme. Davarande is one of my model penitents; I am thoroughly satisfied with her. M. Davarande is an excellent young man who shares the religious beliefs of his wife, and that is a rare thing nowadays. One's mind is easy about such happy and superior young couples, and I am quite convinced beforehand that you have not come about either of these dear children----" "You are right. I am quite satisfied as regards them, and their happiness is a great joy in my life. It is such a responsibility to get one's children married. No, monsieur, it is not for them that I have come; it is for myself." "For yourself--madame?" And the abbe glanced quickly at her with an expression which softened just as quickly.