nt was to undertake and whose character he was
to form were described by their aunt as "regular little demons." The
youngest of the family, the famous, or rather infamous, Cardinal de
Retz, was not yet born, but Vincent's hands were sufficiently full
without him. "I should like my children to be saints rather than
great noblemen," said Madame de Gondi when she presented the boys to
their tutor, but the prospect seemed remote enough. The violent
temper and obstinacy of his charges were a great trial to Vincent,
who used to say in later life that they had taught him, cross-grained
as he was by nature, how to be gentle and patient.

The position of a man of low birth as tutor in that princely
household was not without its difficulties. Vincent was a dependent;
but there was a quiet dignity about him which forbade liberties. With
the servants, and there were many of every grade, he was always
cordial and polite, losing no chance of winning their confidence,
that he might influence them for good. His duties over, he would
retire to his own room, refusing, unless especially sent for, to mix
with the great people who frequented the house.

Madame de Gondi, with a woman's intuition, was the first to realize
the sanctity of her sons' tutor and resolved to put herself under his
direction. Knowing enough of his humility to be certain that he would
refuse such a request, she applied to Father de Berulle to use his
influence in the matter, and thus obtained her desire. At Vincent's
suggestion she soon afterwards undertook certain works of charity,
which were destined to be the seed of a great enterprise.

The Count, too, began to feel the effects of Vincent's presence in
his household. It was the age of dueling, and hundreds of lives were
lost in this barbarous practice. De Gondi was a famous swordsman, and
although the life he led was a great deal better than that of the
majority of his contemporaries, the possibility of refusing to fight
when challenged, or of refraining from challenging another when his
honor was at stake, had never occurred to him.

Vincent had been some time at the de Gondis' when it came to his ears
that the Count intended to fight a duel on a certain day, and he
resolved, if possible, to prevent it. De Gondi was present at Mass in
the morning and remained on afterwards in the chapel, praying,
probably, that he might prevail over his enemy.

Vincent waited till everyone had gone out, and then approached h