hat passed between the parties, both of whom were of a
temperament strung to the most exquisite tones of consciousness, with
minds both wise and strong, and with characters under the control of
austere principles of duty and piety. Michelet, in his work on the
Confessional, gives a skilful and forcible picture of this rapt
friendship; but his own pervading sensuousness, not to say
sensuality, does the sentiment gross injustice by mixing in it so
much of flesh and earth. The union of these two mystics in spirit and
deed was as taintless as that of two angels in heaven.

If throbs of agonizing passion sometimes mounted up, the invariable
heroism with which they were veiled and suppressed simply adds the
martyr merit to the saintly one. Saint Francis had an irresistible
attractiveness of figure and face, a temper and bearing of singular
sweetness. Childlike, and so fair in appearance that it was difficult
to withdraw the eyes from him, he united the greatest social insight
and skill with the greatest sincerity and simplicity. Madame de
Chantal, early left a widow, with several children and an aged and
infirm father, administered the business of her household with
systematic prudence, and filled her leisure hours with fervent
religious exercises. Saint Francis and Madame de Chantal seem to have
been predestined for friends. Their biographers relate, that, long
before they had seen each other, they met in mystical visions and
ecstasies. Archbishop Fremiot, brother of Madame de Chantal, and an
intimate acquaintance of Saint Francis, invited him to preach at
Dijon. During his sermon, the preacher noticed one lady particularly
above the rest; and, as he came down from the desk, asked, "Who is
that young widow who listened so attentively to the word?" The
archbishop replied, "That is my sister, the Baroness de Chantal." An
inspired understanding appears to have at once united their minds.
"It is enchantment," Michelet says, "to read the vivacious and
delightful letters which open the correspondence of Saint Francis
with his dear sister and dear daughter. Nothing can be more pure,
nothing can be more ardent." He says the sentiment she awakened
powerfully assisted his spiritual progress. He thought of her at the
moment of partaking of the sacrament. "I have given you and your
widowed heart and your children daily to the Lord, in offering up his
Son." She dispensed with her former confessor, and confided her
spirit to Saint Franci