And accordingly Xavier treated him with much contempt; rallying him on
all occasions, and making it his business to ridicule him.

This notwithstanding, Ignatius omitted no opportunities of representing
to him the great consequence of his eternal welfare, and urging the words
of our blessed Saviour, "What profit is it to a man to gain the whole
world, and to lose his own, soul?" but perceiving that he could make no
impression on a heart where self-conceit was so very prevalent, and which
was dazzled with vain-glory, he bethought, himself of assaulting him on
the weaker side.

When he had often congratulated with him for those rare talents of
nature with which he was endowed, and particularly applauded his great
wit, he made it his business to procure him scholars, and to augment his
reputation by the crowd of his auditors. He conducted them even to his
chair; and in presenting them to their master, never failed to make his
panegyric.

Xavier was too vain, not to receive, with a greedy satisfaction, whatever
incense was given him of that kind: applause was welcome from whatever
hands it came; and withal he was too grateful, not to acknowledge those
good offices which were done him, by a person whom he had used so very
ill: he was the more sensible of such a kindness, by being conscious to
himself how little he had deserved it. He began to look with other eyes
on him who had the appearance of so mean a creature; and at the same time
was informed, that this man, of so despicable a presence, was born of one
of the noblest families in Guypuscoa; that his courage was correspondent
to his birth; and that only the fear of God had inspired him with the
choice of such a life, so distant from his inclination, and his quality.