Everywhere were receptions, which though they embarrassed Pierre awakened a joyful feeling in the depth of his heart.

In one place the peasants presented him with bread and salt and an icon of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, asking permission, as a mark of their gratitude for the benefits he had conferred on them, to build a new chantry to the church at their own expense in honor of Peter and Paul, his patron saints.

In another place the women with infants in arms met him to thank him for releasing them from hard work.

On a third estate the priest, bearing a cross, came to meet him surrounded by children whom, by the count's generosity, he was instructing in reading, writing, and religion.