But this gifted
person lived in the utmost dread of attracting the notice of
parliament, and exercised his art only under the strictest
assurances of secrecy, in the most retired and secluded manner,
with every precaution to prevent the possibility of a surprise.
"These conditions were too gratifying to madame de Maintenon to
cause much delay in subscribing to them; and it was finally
arranged, that the prophet and his new applicants should meet at a
house in Sevres belonging to the royal family, then in the
occupation of madame Cerfol (the lady of whom mention has been
already made). The marchioness was to repair thither at one
o'clock in the morning with a single friend. To have taken such a
measure in open daylight would have been to proclaim their
secret to all Paris. One person besides madame de Cerfol was
necessarily admitted into their confidence, and that was the
duc de Noailles, who was charged, by the king's express orders,
to take every possible precaution to ensure their safety, as far
as it could be done without attracting public attention to so
extraordinary an affair.
"At the hour appointed madame de Maintenon and the duc de Noailles
ascended a carriage which awaited them at one of the park gates,
and soon conveyed them to Sevres, whither the Italian priest had
gone the preceding night. This wretched man had celebrated alone
the sacrifice of the mass, and had consecrated several wafers.
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