étoit. Old spelling of était — comme le chien

etc. See 2 Peter ii, 22.

154. — 9. Que toute incertitude ait cessé. The subjunctive is regularly used in subordinate clauses preceding the principal clause, for there is a feeling of uncertainty until the principal statement is made.

155. — 22. L'avenir n'y contredira pas. It is interesting to note in this connection the recent beatification of Jeanne Dare at Rome (1909). This is the second of the three steps towards the making of a Roman Catholic saint (the candidate is first made venerable, then blessed, finally a saint); Jeanne was declared venerable in 1894.