upon to govern by the death of Monseigneur, and by the unexpected
confidence testified in him before long by the king. "The prince should
try more than ever to appear open, winning, accessible, and sociable,"
wrote Fenelon; "he must undeceive the public about the scruples imputed
to him; keep his strictness to himself, and not set the court
apprehending a severe reform of which society is not capable, and which
would have to be introduced imperceptibly, even if it were possible. He
cannot be too careful to please the king, avoid giving him the slightest
umbrage, make him feel a dependence founded on confidence and affection,
relieve him in his work, and speak to him with a gentle and respectful
force which will grow by little and little. He should say no more than
can be borne; it requires to have the heart prepared for the utterance
of painful truths which are not wont to be heard. For the rest, no
puerilities or pettinesses in the practice of devotion; government is
learned better from studying men than from studying books."

The young dauphin was wise enough to profit by these sage and able
counsels. "Seconded to his heart's content by his adroit young wife,
herself in complete possession of the king's private ear and of the heart
of Madame de Maintenon, he redoubled his attentions to the latter, who,
in her transport at finding a dauphin on whom she might rely securely
instead of one who did not like her, put herself in his hands, and, by
that very act, put the king in his hands. The first fortnight made
perceptible to all at Marly this extraordinary change in the king, who
was so reserved towards his legitimate children, so very much the king
with them. Breathing more freely after so great a step had been made,
the dauphin showed a bold front to society, which he dreaded during the
lifetime of Monseigneur, because, great as he was, he was often the
victim of its best received jests. The king having come round to him;
the insolent cabal having been dispersed by the death of a father, almost