Corentin was unreservedly attached to Fouche, just as Monsieur de la Besnardiere was to Talleyrand, Gentz to Monsieur de Metternich, Dundas to Pitt, Duroc to Napoleon, Chavigny to Cardinal Richelieu.

Corentin was not the counsellor of his master, but his instrument, the Tristan to this Louis XI.

of low estate.

Fouche had kept him in the ministry of the police when he himself left it, so as to still keep an eye and a finger in it.

It was said that Corentin belonged to Fouche by some unavowed relationship, for he rewarded him lavishly after every service.