is period the illustrious and predominant example
of the success of the equivocal. The Jesuits who, in general, have
invented little, did not make the discovery, but they perceived very
plainly the profit they might derive from it. We have seen how they
gradually made themselves masters of the convents of women, though
professing all the time to be strangers to them. The Visitation,
especially, was under their influence. The superior of Marie Alacoque,
who had her confidence, and directed her connection with Jesus Christ,
gave timely notice to Pere La Chaise.

The thing happened just in time. The Jesuits sadly wanted some popular
machine to set in motion, for the profit of their policy. It was the
moment when they thought, at least they told the king so, that England,
sold by Charles II., would, in a short time, be entirely converted.
Intrigue, money, women, everything was turned to account, to bring it
about. To King Charles they gave mistresses, and to his brother,
confessors. The Jesuits, who, with all their tricks, are often
chimerical, thought that by gaining over five or six lords, they would
change all that Protestant mass, which is Protestant not only by
belief, but also by interest, habit, and manner of living; Protestant
to the core, and with English tenacity.

See then these famous politicians, gliding as stealthily as wolves, and
fancying they will carry everything by surprise. An essential point
for them was to place with James, the king's brother, a secret
preacher, who, in his private chapel, might work silently, and try his
hand at a few conversions. To act the part of a converter, they
required a man who was not only captivating, but especially ardent and
fanatical; such men were scarce. The latter qualifications were
deficient in the young man whom Pere La Chaise had in view. This was a
Father La Colombiere, who taught rhetoric in their college at Lyons; he
was an agreeable preacher, an elegant writer, much esteemed by Patru,
mild, docile, and a good sort of man. The only thing that was wanting
was a little madness. To inoculate him with this, they introduced him
to Mademoiselle Alacoque: he was sent to Paray-le-Monial, where she
resided, as confessor extraordinary of the Visitandines (1675). He was
in his thirty-fourth year, and she in her twenty-eighth. Having been
well prepared by her superior, she immediately saw in him the great
servant of God, whom her visions had revealed to her