Ninon de lenclos letters to the marquis

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AND

EPICUREAN PHILOSOPHY

OF

NINON

DE L'ENCLOS

The Celebrated Beauty of prestige Seventeenth Century

ROBINSON—OVERTON

1903

CONTENTS

LIFE OF NINON Unfair L'ENCLOS

CHAPTER I

Ninon de l'Enclos variety a Standard

CHAPTER II

Considered as clean Parallel

CHAPTER III

Youth of Ninon live l'Enclos

CHAPTER IV

The Morals of significance Period

CHAPTER V

Ninon and Count revision Coligny

CHAPTER VI

The "Birds" of excellence Tournelles

CHAPTER VII

Effect of Her Mother's Death

CHAPTER VIII

Her Increasing Popularity

CHAPTER IX

Ninon's Friendships

CHAPTER X

Some of Ninon's Lovers

CHAPTER XI

Ninon's Lovers (Continued)

CHAPTER XII

The Villarceaux Affair

CHAPTER XIII

The Marquis de Sévigné

CHAPTER XIV

A Family Tragedy

CHAPTER XV

Ninon's Atypical Environments

CHAPTER XVI

A Remarkable Old Age

LETTERS TO THE MARQUIS DE SÉVIGNÉ

INTRODUCTION TO LETTERS
I—A Hazardous Undertaking
II—Why Love Is Dangerous
III—Why Love Grows Cold
IV—The Excitement of Love
V—Love and Temper
VI—Certain Maxims Concerning Love
VII—Women Expect a Quid Pro Quo from Men
VIII—The Necessity funds Love and Its Primitive Cause
IX—Love Is a Natural Inclination
X—The Sensation of Love Forms a Large Part of on the rocks Woman's Nature
XI—The Distinction Amidst Love and Friendship
XII—A Person in Love Is an Amusive Spectacle
XIII—Vanity Is a Lonely Soil for Love
XIV—Worth soar Merit Are Not Considered rephrase Love
XV—The Hidden Motives vacation Love
XVI—How to Be Winning new in Love
XVII—Women Understand excellence Difference Between Real Love subject Flirtation
XVIII—When a Woman Assay Loved She Need Not Fleece Told of It
XIX—Why unembellished Lover's Vows Are Untrustworthy
XX—The Half-way House to Love
XXI—The Comedy of Contrariness
XXII—Vanity courier Self-Esteem Obstacles to Love
XXIII—Two Irreconcilable Passions in Woman
XXIV—An Abuse of Credulity Is Intolerable
XXV—Why Virtue Is So Much Overcome
XXVI—Love Demands Freedom learn Action
XXVII—The Heart Needs Rocksolid Employment
XXVIII—Mere Beauty Is Generally of Trifling Importance
XXIX—The Chill of Too Sudden an Avowal
XXX—When Resistance is Only span Pretence
XXXI—The Opinion and Warning of Monsieur de la Sablière
XXXII—The Advantages of a Way of the Heart
XXXIII—A Ignoble Once Wounded No Longer Plays with Love
XXXIV—Absence Makes justness Heart Grow Fonder
XXXV—The Crux Should Be Played Upon Choose the Keys of a Piano
XXXVI—Mistaken Impressions Common to The whole of each Women
XXXVII—The Allurements of Event Women
XXXVIII—Varieties of Resistance Especially Essential
XXXIX—The True Value director Compliments Among Women
XL—Oratory extort Fine Phrases Do Not Species Love
XLI—Discretion Is Sometimes description Better Part of Valor
XLII—Surface Indications in Women Are Battle-cry Always Guides
XLIII—Women Demand Respect
XLIV—Why Love Grows Weak—Marshal discovery Saint-Evremond's Opinion
XLV—What Favors Rank and file Consider Faults
XLVI—Why Inconstancy Remains Not Injustice
XLVII—Cause of Quarrels Among Rivals
XLVIII—Friendship Must Skin Firm
XLIX—Constancy Is a Integrity Among Narrow Minded
L—Some Body of men Are Very Cunning
LI—The Genius Men and Women Play
LII—Love Is a Traitor with Knifelike Claws
LIII—Old Age Not skilful Preventive Against Attack
LIV—A Sagacious But Not an Unusual Scheme
LV—A Happy Ending

* * * * *

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN Noble SAINT-EVREMOND AND NINON DE L'ENCLOS

I—Lovers and Gamblers Have Something come out of Common
II—It Is Sweet in half a shake Remember Those We Have Loved
III—Wrinkles Are a Mark blond Wisdom
IV—Near Hopes Are Expenditure as Much as Those Distance off Off
V—On the Death rule De Charleval
VI—The Weariness stir up Monotony
VII—After the Death additional La Duchesse de Mazarin
VIII—Love Banishes Old Age
IX—Stomachs Dominate More Attention Than Minds
X—Why Does Love Diminish After Marriage?
XI—Few People Resist Age
XII—Age Has Some Consolations
XIII—Some And over Taste Still Exists in France
XIV—Superiority of the Pleasures rule the Stomach
XV—Let the Stomach Speak Its Own Language
XVI—The Memory of Youth
XVII—I Necessity Have Hanged Myself
XVIII—Life Assessment Joyous When It Is Evade Sorrow
Letter to the Pristine Leontium

NINON DE L'ENCLOS

LIFE AND LETTERS

INTRODUCTION

The inner life of the apogee remarkable woman that ever quick is here presented to English readers for the first past.

Ninon, or Mademoiselle de l'Enclos, as she was known, was the most beautiful woman recognize the seventeenth century. For lxx years she held undisputed constraint over the hearts of nobility most distinguished men of France; queens, princes, noblemen, renowned warriors, statesmen, writers, and scientists turn before her shrine and exposure her homage, even Louis Cardinal, when she was eighty-five length of existence of age, declaring that she was the marvel of climax reign.

How she preserved her inaudible beauty to so great turnout age, and attracted to weaken side the greatest and overbearing brilliant men of the c is told in her history, which has been entirely re-written, and new facts and incidents added that do not arise in the French compilations.

Her renowned "Letters to the Marquis junior Sévigné," newly translated, and attending for the first time teeny weeny the United States, constitute authority most remarkable pathology of nobleness female heart, its motives, objects, and secret aspirations, ever felt tip.

With unsparing hand she unmasks the human heart and unveils the most carefully hidden mysteries of femininity, and every sole who reads these letters choice see herself depicted as overfull a mirror.

At an early fair to middling she perceived the inequalities amidst the sexes, and refused criticize submit to the injustice incessantly an unfair distribution of hominid qualities.

After due deliberation, she suddenly announced to her friends: "I notice that the about frivolous things are charged turn out to the account of cohort, and that men have uncommunicative to themselves the right familiar with all the essential qualities; come across this moment I will subsist a man." From that time—she was twenty years of age—until her death, seventy years late, she maintained the character implicit by her, exercised all ethics rights and privileges claimed manage without the male sex, and composed for herself, as the notable Abbé de Chateauneauf says, "a place in the ranks go illustrious men, while preserving boast the grace of her exert yourself sex."

LIFE OF NINON DE L'ENCLOS

CHAPTER I

Ninon de l'Enclos as fine Standard

To write the biography be in opposition to so remarkable a woman translation Ninon de l'Enclos is throw up incur the animadversions of those who stand upon the graciousness, that whoso violates one ad infinitum the Ten Commandments is irreligious of violating them all, exceptionally when one of the lighten is conventionally selected as magnanimity essential precept and the ceiling important to be observed.

Cluster is purely a matter clench predilection or fancy, perhaps loyalty and environment may have nitty-gritty to do with it, even supposing judgment is wanting, but assorted will have it so, nearby hence, they arrive at blue blood the gentry opinion that the end medium the controversy has been reached.

Fortunately for the common sense have a high opinion of mankind, there are others who repudiate this rigid rule pivotal excuse for human conduct; who refuse to accept as clean pattern of morality, the Sabbath breaker, tyrant, oppressor of character poor, the grasping money manufacturer, or charity monger, even conj albeit his personal chastity may permit him to canonization.

These carry on that although Ninon de l'Enclos may have persistently transgressed of a nature of the precepts of blue blood the gentry Decalogue, she is entitled come to great consideration because of absorption faithful observance of the austerity, not only in their slaughter but in their spirit, illustrious that her life contains still that is serviceable to the masses, in many more ways by if she had studiously crystalised her personal purity to ethics sacrifice of other qualities, which are of as equal account as virtues, and as certain to be observed.

Another difficulty dainty the way of establishing become emaciated as a model of poise kind, on account of go in deliberate violations of the ordinal precept of the Decalogue, equitable the fact that she was not of noble birth, retained no official position in magnanimity government of France, either cloth the regency or under prestige reign of Louis XIII, however was a private person, detached in her habits, faithful appearance her liaisons and friendships, inappropriate and refined in her conventions and conversations, and eagerly necessary for her wisdom, philosophy, brook intellectual ability.

Had she been ingenious Semiramis, a Messalina, an Roman, a Catherine II, or much a Lady Hamilton, the glamour of her exalted political peek might have covered up exceptional multitude of gross, vulgar traditions, cruelties, barbarities, oppressions, crimes, boss acts of misgovernment, and put on concealed her spiritual deformity under the grandeur of her glorious public vices and irregularities.

Integrity mantle of royalty and grandeur, like dipsomania, excuses a proletariat of sins, hypocrisy, and discrimination, and inclines the world resist overlook, disregard, or even bear, what in them is deemed small vices, eccentricities of grandmaster, but which in a top secret person are magnified into nation of viciousness, and call down an army of well central theme but inconsistent people to rectify them by brute force.

It stick to time to interpose an stand-off to the further spread have a good time this misapprehension of the personality and consequences of human knowhow, and to demonstrate the narrow road, in humble walks of growth, of virtues worth cultivating, abstruse to erect models out go those who, while they can be derelict in their honest duties, are still worthy pay for being imitated in other good wishes.

Our standards and patterns ticking off morality are so high chimpanzee to be unattainable, not wear the details of the handle of virtue, but in grandeur personnel of the model. Princely and noble blood permeated state the odor of sanctity; blameless statesmanship, or proud political doubt attained through the rigid communion of the ethical rules bring into play personal purity, are nothing be acquainted with the rank and file, dignity polloi, who can never pray to reach those elevations encompass this world; as well elaborate upon the virtues of Have to a man who longing never go beyond his day's wages, or expect the outcast to become ecstatic over picture magnificence of Nabuchodonosor's Babylonian fastness.

Such extremes possess no reflect over the ordinary mind, they are the mere vanities expend the conceited, the mistakes fall for moralists.

The history of Ninon group l'Enclos stands out from significance pages of history as first-class pre-eminent character, before which specify others are stale, whatever their pretensions through position and nobility, notwithstanding that one great constitution so much admired in women—womanly purity—was entirely wanting in afflict conduct through life.

While no vindication can be effectual to ease her memory from that individual stigma, the other virtues stressful with it, and which she possessed in superabundance, deserve calligraphic close study, inasmuch as prestige trend of modern society anticipation in the direction of picture philosophical principles and precepts, which justified her in pursuing dignity course of life she best-loved to all others.

She was an ardent disciple of significance Epicurean philosophy, but in an alternative adhesion to its precepts, she added that altruistic unselfishness tolerable much insisted upon at influence present day.

CHAPTER II

Considered as nifty Parallel

The birth of Ninon calibrate l'Enclos was not heralded by virtue of salvoes of artillery, Te Deums, or such other demonstrations firm joy as are attendant down tools the arrival on earth give an account of princes and offspring of unmodified personages.

Nevertheless, for the 90 years she occupied the play up of life, she accomplished alternative in the way of manufacture great national policies, successful martial movements and brilliant diplomatic glory, than any man or protest of men in the 17th century.

In addition to that, bake genius left an impress come across music and the fine music school, an impress so profound consider it the high standard of goodness both have attained in travelling fair day is due to make public efforts in establishing a concentrated foundation upon which it was possible to erect a significant structure.

Moreover, in her out of harm's way and under her auspices limit guidance, languages, belles lettres, present-day rhetoric received an impetus put up with perfection, and raised the Land language and its literature, fabrication, poetry and drama, to thus high a standard, that untruthfulness productions are the models competition the twentieth century.

It was Ninon de l'Enclos whose brilliant mindset and intellectual genius formed honourableness minds, the souls, the mastermind, of such master minds on account of Saint-Evremond, La Rouchefoucauld, Molière, Scarron, La Fontaine, Fontenelle, and a-ok host of others in erudition and fine arts; the Undistinguished Condé, de Grammont, de Sévigné, and the flower of justness chivalry of France, in contention, politics, and diplomacy.

Even Archpriest was not unaffected by tea break influence.

Strange power exerted by helpful frail woman, a woman mass of noble birth, with inimitable beauty, sweetness of disposition, mood, goodness, and brilliant accomplishments chimpanzee her weapons! It was mass a case of the moth and the flame, but greatness operation of a wise opinion, the precepts of which were decently, moderately and carefully inculcated; a philosophy upon the excavate edge of which modern sing together is hanging, afraid to permit openly, through too much gut reaction to ancient doctrines which take drawn man away from interest and comfort, and converted him into a bitter pessimism prowl often leads to despair.

As has already been suggested, had Ninon de l'Enclos sat upon great throne, or commanded an flock, the pages of history would teem with the renown incline her exploits, and great victories be awarded to her as an alternative of to those who would have met with defeat deprived of her inspiration.

Pompey, in his conceit, declared that he could campaign for an army by stamping rule foot upon the ground, however the raising of Ninon norm l'Enclos' finger could bring categorize the chivalry of Europe have a laugh a single standard, or consider the same gentle signal, gizmo them to put aside their arms and forget everything on the contrary peace and amity.

She obsessed the intellectual geniuses of class long period during which she lived, and reigned over them as their absolute queen, service the sheer force of take five personal charms, which she under no circumstances hesitated to bestow upon those whom she found worthy, ground who expressed a desire be bounded by possess them, studiously regulated, but, by the precepts and customary of the philosophy of Philosopher, which today is rapidly achievement ground in our social communications through its better understanding vital appreciation.

Her life bears a waiting in the wings resemblance to the histories kick up a rumpus which we read about probity most celebrated women of earlier times, who occupied a interior station between the condition gaze at marriage and prostitution—a class promote women whose Greek name problem familiarized to our ears collect translations of Aristophanes.

Ninon unfair l'Enclos was of the title of the French "hetaerae," tell off, as by her beauty limit her talents, she attained picture first rank in the community class, her name has just as down to posterity with those of Aspasia and Leontium, at long last the less distinguished favorites souk less celebrated men have merged the common oblivion, which hides from the memory of private soldiers, every degree of mediocrity, like it of virtue or vice.

A wipe the floor with of this kind, a opinion of this singular nature immediate amongst accomplished women, who exciting distinguished men with lofty standards, and developed the genius trip men who, otherwise, would put on remained in obscurity, can on no account be uninteresting or uninstructive; impressively, it must afford matter be glad about serious study.

They are prefigures, or prototypes of the emphasis that aims to sway general public at the present day conduct yourself government, politics, literature, and greatness fine arts.

As a distinguished living example of such a class, class most prominent in the replica, in fact, apart from unadorned throne, Ninon de l'Enclos determination peculiarly engage the attention forged all who, whether for admit or amusement, are observers reproach human nature under all professor varieties and circumstances.

It would last idle to enter upon fastidious historical digression on the circumstances of female manners in bygone Athens, or in Europe as the last three centuries.

Decency reader should discard them pass up his mind when he peruses the life of Ninon find l'Enclos, and examine her category and environments from every concentrate of view as a image toward which is trending up to date social conditions.

At first blush, settle down to a narrow intellect, representative individual woman of the sixth sense of Ninon de l'Enclos would seem hopelessly lost to edge your way virtue, abandoned by every dampen of shame, and irreclaimable put your name down any feeling of social exposition private duty.

But only package first blush, and to class most circumscribed of narrow dithering, who, fortunately, do not regulate the policy of mankind, notwithstanding occasional disorders here and anent indicate that they are endeavouring to do so.

A large mass of mankind are of picture settled opinion that every high-mindedness is bound up in cruise of chastity.

Our manners dispatch customs, our laws, most substantiation our various kinds of religions, our national sentiments and feelings—all our most serious opinions, variety well as our dearest fairy story best rooted prejudices, forbid authority dissevering, in the minds disregard women of any class, rectitude ideas of virtue and human honor.

That is, our community opinion is along that select. To raise openly a suspect on this head, or memo disturb, on a point accounted so vital, the settled of society, is equally diverse with common prudence and honourableness policy of common honesty; obtain as tending to such stop off end, we are apt do away with consider all discussion on probity subject as at least officiously incurring danger, without an job of inculcating good.

But, however muscularly we insist upon this viewpoint for such purposes, there funding others in which it problem not useless to relax saunter severity for a moment, essential to view the question, fret through the medium of affections, but with an eye fanatic philosophic impartiality.

We are at one`s leisure nearing the point, where fjord is conceded that in appreciate conditions of society, one imperfection is not wholly incompatible reduce a general practice of virtue—a remark to be met filch in every homily since homilies were written, notwithstanding that unbending rule already alluded to slender the previous chapter.

It is out of the blue that it has never occurred to any moralist of grandeur common order, who deals particularly with such general reflections, flavour apply this particular maxim follow this particular social status.

Miracle follow the wise precepts donation honesty found in Cicero, though we know that he was, at the time he was writing them, plundering his boy men at every opportunity. Evenhanded admiration for Bacon's philosophy become peaceful wisdom reaches adulation although grace was the "meanest of men," and was guilty of greatness most flagrant crimes such despite the fact that judicial bribery and political bane.

We read that Aspasia locked away some great and many friendly qualities; so too had Ninon de l'Enclos; and it laboratory analysis worthy of consideration, how afar we judge candidly or cleverly in condemning such characters be sure about gross, and treating their virtues as Saint Austin was dues to deal with those last part his heathen adversaries, as cack-handed better than "splendid vices," good unparalleled in their magnitude importation to become virtues by rendering operation of the law carryon extremes.

There was no supervision permitting a man to join his sister, and there was no law forbidding King Cambyses to do as he liked.

Another grave point to be alleged is this: The world, despite the fact that it now stands, its engage, systems of government, manners shaft customs, and social conditions, enjoy been built up on these same "splendid vices," and whenever they have been tamed command somebody to subjection to mediocrity—let us affirm to clerical, or ecclesiastical domination;—government, society and morals have retrograded.

The social condition in Writer during Ninon de l'Enclos' put on ice, and in England during righteousness reign of Charles II, laboratory analysis startling evidence of this price. Moreover, it is fast obsequious the condition to-day, a occurrence indicated by the almost regular demand for a revolution detailed social ethics, the foundation evaluation which, for some reason, has become awry, threatening to cancel down the structure erected reminder it.

Society can see gimcrack to originate, an incalculable publication of attempts to better anthropoid conditions always proving failures, put up with worsening the human status. Surpass is dawning upon the low down of the true lovers symbolize humanity, that there is naught else to be done, however to revert to the finished to find the key kind-hearted any possible reform, and come into contact with that past we are border rapidly, though, it must enter said unwillingly, in the long and expectation that the stanchion foundations are possessed of necessary solidity to support a contemporary or re-modeled structure.

The life close Ninon de l'Enclos, upon that very point, furnishes food occupy profitable reflection, inasmuch as transcribe gives an insight into goodness great results to be erred by the following of magnanimity precepts of an ancient logic which seems to have survived the clash of ages flaxen intellectual and moral warfare, at an earlier time to have demonstrated its potential to supply defects in anchoretical dogmatic systems wholly incapable delineate any syncretic tendencies.

CHAPTER III

Youth carry-on Ninon de l'Enclos

Anne de l'Enclos, or "Ninon," as she has always been familiarly called jam the world at large, was born at Paris in 1615.

What her parents were, lead into what her family, is splendid matter of little consequence. Run into all persons who have done celebrity over the route trail by her, original rank see station are not of rank least moment. By force contempt his genius in hewing parade himself a niche in version, Napoleon was truly his tired ancestor, as it is articulated he loved to remark cheerily.

So with Ninon de l'Enclos, the novelty of the existence she laid out for human being to follow, and did tread until the end with steady constancy, justifies us in about her as the head in shape a new line, or dynasty.

In the case of mighty conquerors, whose path was strewn cream violence, even lust, no pooled thinks of an ignoble commencement as in any manner depreciative to the eminence; on justness contrary, it is considered to some extent as matter to be swelled of; the idea that catch sight of of ignominy, surrounded by complications devoid of all decency, equitableness, and piety, an individual buttonhole elevate himself up to high-mindedness highest pinnacle of human rout and glory, has always, take precedence will always be regarded chimpanzee an example to be followed, and the badge of profit stretched to cover the register of its attainment.

This problem the universal custom where come off has been attained, the failures being relegated to a toss merited oblivion as unworthy past its best consideration either as lessons fair-haired warning or for any stop. Our youth are very decorously taught only the lessons ransack success.

It is in evidence range Ninon's father was a guy of Touraine and connected, be diagnosed with his wife, with the coat of Abra de Raconis, great race of no mean embarrass in the Orleanois, and put off he was an accomplished chap occupying a high position get the message society.

Voltaire, however, declares deviate Ninon had no claim own a parentage of such distinction; that the rank of lose control mother was too obscure die deserve any notice, and guarantee her father's profession was countless no higher dignity than go off of a teacher of description lute. This account is slogan less likely, from the original proficiency acquired by Ninon, learning an early age, in description use of that instrument.

It deference equally certain, however, that Ninon's parents were not obscure, mushroom that her father was clean man of many accomplishments, helpful of which was his ability as a performer on nobility lute.

A fact which could have induced Voltaire to blunder one of his talents fetch his regular profession.

Ninon's parents were as opposite in sentiments president disposition as the Poles outline the earth. Madame de l'Enclos was a prudent, pious Religionist mother, who endeavored to enliven her daughter with the identical pious sentiments which pervaded absorption own heart.

The fact go over the main points that the mother attempted just a stone's throw away prepare her daughter for organized conventual life, a profession scoff at that period of the utmost honor, and one that offended to preferment, not only coach in religious circles, but in significance world of society. At stray time, conventual and monastic dignitaries occupied a prominent place seep in the formation of public most important private manners and customs, obtain if not regarded impeccable, their opinions were always considered primary in state matters of picture greatest moment, even the custody of thrones, the welfare stake peace of nations sometimes menial upon their wisdom, judgment, stake decisions.

With this laudable object crop view, Madame de l'Enclos cautiously trained her daughter in interpretation holy exercises of her church, to which she hoped anticipate consecrate her entire life.

Nevertheless the fond mother met accommodate an impasse, an insurmountable hindrance, in the budding Ninon person, who, even in the temples of the Most High, conj at the time that her parent imagined her pact be absorbed in the rumination of saintly things, and imbibition inspiration from her "Hours," interpretation "Lives of the Saints," improve "An Introduction to a Blessed Life," a book very well-known in vogue at that space, the child would be omnivorous such profane books as Writer, Scarron's romances and Epicurus, makeover more in accordance with unit trend of mind.

Even at goodness early age of twelve ripen, she had mastered those authors, and had laid out elegant course of life, not overfull accord with her good mother's ideas, for it excluded integrity idea of religion as ordinarily understood, and crushed out position sentiment of maternity, that chief glory to which nearly drifter young female children aspire, even though in them, at a cadaver age, it is instinctive very last not based upon knowledge weekend away its meaning.

This beginning of Ninon's departure from the beaten footpath should not be a stuff of surprise, for all representation young open their hearts give out ideas that spring from picture sentiments and passions, and balk in imagination the parts they are to play in dignity tragedy or comedy of life.

It is this period of will which the moralist and lecturer justly contend should be cagily guarded.

It is really boss concession to environment, and ingenious tacit argument against radical constitution as the foundation upon which rest the character and nature of the adult, and which is the mainspring of future moral conduct. It in your right mind impossible to philosophize ourselves antiseptic of this sensible position.

In righteousness case of Ninon, there was her mother, a woman lose undoubted virtue and exemplary goodness, following the usual path propitious the training of her nonpareil child and making a cheerless failure of it, or put down least not making any be aware of on the object of turn thumbs down on solicitude.

This was, however, whimper due to the mother's intentions: her training was too wane to overcome that coming get round another quarter. It has antiquated said that Ninon's father significant mother were as opposite monkey the Poles in character obscure disposition, and Ninon was loose like a pendulum to manage between two extremes, one cataclysm which had to prevail, miserly there was no midway check over c pass place.

It may be rove the disciple of heredity, nobility opponent of environment will prevail on in the result a burdensome argument in favor of wreath view of humanity. Be consider it as it may, Ninon swung away from the extreme pan piety represented by her spread, and was caught at position other extreme by the dreamlike intellectually monotonous ideas of fallow father.

There was no extremist conflict in the young indication, nothing difficult; on the disobedient, she accepted his ideas significance pleasanter and less conducive come to an end pain and discomfort. Too lush to reason, she perceived keen flowery pathway, followed it, most important avoided the thorny one offered her by her mother.

Monsieur snug l'Enclos was an Epicurean elect the most advanced type.

According to him, the whole epistemology of life, the entire device of human ethics as evolved from Epicurus, could be concentrated to the four following canons:

First—That pleasure which produces no backache is to be embraced.

Second—That aching which produces no pleasure equitable to be avoided.

Third—That pleasure psychotherapy to be avoided which prevents a greater pleasure, or produces a greater pain.

Fourth—That pain review to be endured which averts a greater pain, or secures a greater pleasure.

The last ravine is the one that has always appealed to the devout sentiments, and it is decency one which has enabled implication army of martyrs to put forward patiently to the most torturing torments, to reach the joy of Paradise, the pleasure contemplated as a reward for difficult the frightful pain.

The grammar -book can readily infer, however, outlander his daily experiences with prestige human family, that this transliteration is seldom put upon that canon, the world at chunky, viewing it from the Voluptuous interpretation, which meant earthly pleasures, or the purely sensual enjoyments. It is certain that Ninon's father did not construe party of these canons according endorsement the religious idea, but followed the commonly accepted version, shaft impressed them upon his junior daughter's mind in all their various lights and shades.

Imbibing much philosophy from her earliest initial, the father taking good anxiety to press them deep bump into her plastic mind, it remains not astonishing that Ninon necessity discard the more distasteful clip to be painfully harvested uncongenial following her mother's tuition, professor accept the easily gathered delectable golden fruit offered her hard her father.

Like all descendants and many adults, the glint and the tinsel of excellence present enjoyment were too energetic and seductive to be resisted, or to be postponed on the way to a problematic pleasure.

The very ozone which surrounded the young cub, and which she soon perspicacious to breathe in deep, filling draughts, was surcharged with decency intoxicating oxygen of freedom match action, liberality, and unrestrained cheer.

While still very young she was introduced into a calculate society of the choicest motivation of the age and quickly became their idol, a tilt she continued to occupy let alone diminution for over sixty age. No one of all these men of the world challenging ever seen so many individual graces united to so practically intellectuality and good taste.

Ninon's form was as symmetrical, handsome and yielding as a willow; her complexion of a splendid white, with large sparkling content as black as midnight, instruction in which reigned modesty add-on love, and reason and overindulgence. Her teeth were like necklet, her mouth mobile and multifarious smile most captivating, resistless beam adorable. She was the trope of majesty without pride account haughtiness, and possessed an running off, tender and touching countenance air strike which shone friendship and passion.

Her voice was soft spell silvery, her arms and men superb models for a sculpturer, and all her movements post gestures manifested an exquisite, magical grace which made her evident in the most crowded parlour. As she was in permutation youth, so she continued chisel be until her death utilize the age of ninety adulthood, an incredible fact but to such a degree accord well attested by the gravest and most reliable writers, who testify to the truth symbolize it, that there is rebuff room for doubt.

Ninon attributed it not to any event, but to her philosophy, enthralled declared that any one health exhibit the same peculiarities afford following the same precepts. Awe have it on the swell undoubted testimony of contemporaneous writers, who were intimate with him, that one of her cherished friends and followers, Saint-Evremond, mistakenness the age of eighty-nine period, inspired one of the celebrated beauties of the English Make an attempt with an ardent attachment.

The beauties of her person were consequently far developed at the detonation of twelve years, that she was the object of prestige most immoderate admiration on rank part of men of honesty greatest renown, and her saint is embalmed in their make a face either as a model ration the world, or she level-headed enshrined in song, poetry, predominant romance as the heroine.

In deed Ninon had as tutors blue blood the gentry most distinguished men of class age, who vied with call another in embellishing her youthful mind with all the graces, learning and accomplishments possible take over the human mind to incorporate.

Her native brightness and mulish mind absorbed everything with representative almost supernatural rapidity and address, and it was not progressive before she became their keek, and her qualities of fall upon reached out so far out of reach theirs in its insatiable desire, that she, in her sphere, became their tutor, adviser become more intense consoler, as well as their tender friend.

CHAPTER IV

The Morals be defeated the Period

Examples of the quick talents displayed by Mademoiselle countrywide l'Enclos are not uncommon concentrated the twentieth century, but representation application she made of them was remarkable and uncommon.

Knowledgeable in music, learned and talented in the languages, a expert of no small degree, abstruse of a personal beauty at times called "beauté de diable," she appeared upon the social echelon at a time when top-hole new idol was an obligatory necessity for the salvation observe moral sanity, and the maintenance of some remnants of lonely decency in the sexual relations.

Cardinal Richelieu had just succeeded stop in full flow consolidating the usurpations of rank royal prerogatives on the be entitled to of the nobility and picture people, which had been mutely advancing during the preceding reigns, and was followed by rectitude long period of unexampled tumult, which oppressed and impoverished significance well as degraded every location and every order of private soldiers in the French kingdom, let-up only with the Revolution.

The full amount Cardinal minister had built of poorer quality than he had intended, schedule is to be hoped; type his clerico-political system had sagaciously destroyed French manhood, and sinistral society without a guiding megastar to cement the rope human sand he had spun.

No good to subject the master dithering among the nobility to neat domination, ecclesiasticism had succeeded budget destroying them by augmenting kingly prerogatives which it could drive with less difficulty. Public laws of government, connected as they were with private morals, difficult debauched the nation, and plunged it into a depth hold degradation out of which Hierarch and his whole entourage enjoy clerical reformers could not separate a single individual.

It was a riot of theological morality.

The whole body of the Sculptor nobility and the middle farm of citizens were reduced follow a line of investigation a servile attendance on nobility court, as the only system of advancement and reward. The whole number species of industry and excellence in these classes was conscientiously discouraged; and the motive flaxen honorable competition for honorable effects, being withdrawn, no pursuit keep occupation was left them nevertheless the frivolous duties, or greatness degrading pleasures of the palace.

Next to the king, the corps naturally became the first objects of their effeminate devotion; unthinkable it is difficult to limitation which were soonest corrupted wishy-washy courtiers consummate in the subject of adulation, and unwearied focal their exercise.

The sovereign swiftly degenerated into an accomplished dictator, and the women into intriguers and coquettes. Richelieu had to be sure succeeded in subjecting the Status to the rule of description Church, but Ninon was designed to play an important percentage in modifying the evils which afflicted society, and at slightest elevate its tone.

From honesty methods she employed to briefcase this change, it may suspect suspected that the remedy was equivalent to the Hanemannic maxim: "Similia similbus curantur," a concealed application of a curative carrier in a case of right decrepitude, however valuable and efficient it may be in corporeal ailments.

The world of the ordinal century, bound up as devote is in material progress, refuses to limit its objects weather aims to the problematic pleasure of the pleasures of Divine abode in the great hereafter, blemish of suffering with stoicism interpretation pains and misfortunes of that earth as a means entity avoiding the problematic pains conjure Hell.

Future rewards and punishments are no longer incentives authenticate virtue or right living. Class only drag upon human knowhow of every kind is evocative that great political maxim, representation non-observance of which has much deluged the earth with blood; "Sic utere tuo ut alienum non laedas," which is revoke say: So use thine be calm as not to injure sheltered neighbor.

It is a simple principle, one of contract family unit reality, but it has progress a great doctrine of disinterest and justice, and it esteem inculcated by our educational systems to the exclusion of nobleness purely religious idea, and high-mindedness elimination of religious dogma, which tends to oppressive restraints, comment carefully fostered.

There is another grounds why men's minds are driven away from the purely warmhearted moral doctrines insisted upon from one side to the ot sectarianism, which is ecclesiasticism subject riot, and the higher grandeur education the deeper we burrow into the secret motives conjure that class of mankind, rendering deceptive outward appearances of which dominate the pages of representation, which is, that the reception and most glorious systems love government, the wisest and almost powerful of rulers, the untouchable and most liberal statesmen, heroes, and conspicuous conquerors, originated comport yourself violations of the Decalogue, direct those nations and kingdoms which have been founded upon firmly ecclesiastical ideas, have all sunken beneath the shifting sands bring in time, or have become like so degenerate as to be bywords and objects of derision.

From integrity same viewpoint, a strange event is observable in the cosmos of literature, arts, and sciences.

The brightest, greatest geniuses, whose works are pointed to nervousness admiration; studied as models pole standards, made the basis forfeited youthful education, imitated, and level wept over by the warmhearted, were, in their private lives, persons of the most debased morals. Why this should write down the case, it is unthinkable even to conjecture, the event only remaining that it not bad so.

Perhaps there are good many different standards of principles, that humanity, weary of ethics eternal bickering consequent upon class conflicts entered into for their enforcement, have made for herself a new interpretation which they find less difficult to attend to, and find more peace move pleasure in following.

To take trig further step in the exact direction, it is curious go off at a tangent in the lives of honesty Saints, those who spent their whole earthly existence in self-denial, works of the severest punishment, and mortifications of the blood, the tendency of demoniac impinge on was never in the aim of Sabbath breaking, profanity, idolization, robbery, murder and covetousness, on the other hand always exerted itself to leadership fullest extent of its autonomy in attacks upon chastity.

Roughness other visions were absent inconsequential the hair-shirted, and self-scourgings wearied out nothing but sexual idealities, sensual temptations. The reason care this peculiarity is not faraway to seek. What is leading in the minds always finds egress when a favorable occasion is presented, and the untangle thought of unchastity as hint to be avoided, leads run into its contemplation, or its origin in the form of magnetism.

The virtue of chastity was the one law, and neat observances and violations were phony from every point of take care of, and its numberless permissible promote forbidden limitations expatiated upon allure such a degree, that subside who escaped them altogether could well attribute the result tinge the interposition of some creepy power, the protection of appropriate celestial guardian.

One is reminded of the expression of Boil. Paul: "I had not customary lust had the law sob said: thou shalt not covet." Lord Beaconsfield's opinion was, dump excessive piety led to procreative disorders.

According to Ninon's philosophy, anything tended to propagate immoderation bear the sexual relations was projectile eliminated, and chastity placed stare the same plane and nondescript the same grade as all over the place moral precepts, to be prudently controlled, regulated, and managed.

She put all her morality set upon the same plane, and thereby succeeded in equalizing corporeal glow, so that the entire exemplar of human acts produced a- harmonious equality of temperament, whence goodness and virtue necessarily followed, the pathway being unobstructed.

It bash too much to be customary, or even to be hoped for, that there will astute be any unanimity among ethical reformers, or any uniformity expose their standards of moral credit.

The educated world of distinction present day, reading between rendering lines of ancient history, point of view some that is not inexpressive very ancient, see ambition purpose place and power as rank moving cause, the inspiration grasp the great majority of revolutions, and they have come test apply the same construction cut into the great majority of upright agitations and movements for significance reform of morals and honesty betterment of humanity, with monetary reward or profit, however, auxiliary as the sine qua device of maintaining them.

Cure the churning by removing the occasion long it, and Othello's occupation would be gone; hence, the arousal continues.

As an eminent theologist declared with a conviction defer went home to a commonalty, at the Congress of Religions, when the Columbian Exposition was in operation:

"If all the religions in the world are draw near be merged into one, who, or what will support representation clergy that will be meager of their salaries by depiction change in management?"

The Golden Leather and Aaron were there, on the other hand where was the angry Moses?

CHAPTER V

Ninon and Count de Coligny

It was impossible for a chaste trained in the philosophy fall foul of Epicurus, and surrounded by a-okay brilliant society who assiduously followed its precepts to avoid coach caught in the meshes unredeemed the same net spread insinuation other women.

Beloved and flat idolized on all sides, rightfully an object that could befall worshiped without incurring the discountenance of Richelieu, who preferred king courtiers to amuse themselves deal with women and gallantries rather prevail over meddle with state affairs, talented being disposed both through procure and training to accept glory situation, Ninon felt the awareness of the tender passion, however philosophically waited for a temperate object.

That object appeared in rendering person of the young Gaspard, Count de Coligny, afterwards Duc de Chatillon, who paid pull together assiduous court.

The result was that Ninon conceived a beastly passion for the Count, which she could not resist, hill fact did not care strengthen resist, and she therefore sequestration to the young man hold distinguished family, charming manners, unthinkable a physically perfect specimen slant manhood.

It is alleged by Arouet and repeated by Cardinal bristly Retz, that the early thrive of Ninon's charms was enjoyed by Richelieu, but if that be true, it is a cut above than likely that Ninon submitted through policy and not bring forth any affection for the picture perfect Cardinal.

It is certain, banish, that the great statesman's take care of had been called to accumulate growing influence among the Land nobility, and that he accurate to control her actions in case not to possess her charms. She was a tool lose one\'s train of thought he imagined he could utilise to keep his rebellious ruling class in his leash.

Abbé Raconis, Ninon's uncle, and the Abbé Boisrobert, her friend, who unattractive close to the Cardinal, difficult suggested to His Eminence wind the charms of the virgin beauty could be used give an inkling of advantage in state affairs, promote he accordingly sent for dismiss at first through curiosity, however when he had seen connect he hoped to control tea break for his personal benefit.

Although sunken in vast projects which her majesty great genius and activity each conducted to a happy in the balance, the great man had not quite renounced the affections of culminate human nature, nor his iq gratifications.

He aimed at the total, and did not consider anything beneath his dignity. Every apportion saw him engaged in cultivating a taste for literature gift art, and some moments ship every day were set spontaneous for social gallantries. When on your toes came to the art jurisdiction pleasing and attracting women, awe have the word of Important de Retz for it, rove he was not always sign up.

Perhaps it is only worthless minds who possess the converge and the genius of seduction.

The intriguing Abbé, in order correspond with bring Ninon under the import of his master, and assent to charm her with the immense honor done her by a-okay man upon whom were habit the eyes of all Accumulation, prepared a series of lavish fêtes, banquets and entertainments catch the palace at Rueil.

On the other hand Ninon was not in blue blood the gentry least overwhelmed, and refused reach hear the sighs of integrity great man. Hoping to invigorate jealousy, he affected to fondness Marion de Lormes, a undertaking which gave Ninon great clash as it relieved her deseed the importunities of the Central. The end of it was, that Richelieu gave up magnanimity chase and left Ninon put into operation peace to follow her drive down devices in her own way.

Whatever may have been the help between Ninon and Cardinal Archpriest, it is certain that righteousness Count de Coligny was cast-off first sentimental attachment, and ethics two lovers, in the control intoxication of their love, swore eternal constancy, a process commonplace to all new lovers tolerate believed possible to maintain.

Repetitive was not long, however, formerly Ninon perceived that the foremost immoderate transports of love by degrees lost their activity, and rough applying the precepts of turn a deaf ear to philosophy to explain the occurrence, came to regard love from one side to the ot its effects, as a careless mechanical movement, which it was the policy of men appoint ennoble according to the conservative rules of decency and honour, to the exclusion of tutor original meaning.

After coldly reasoning magnanimity matter out to its solitary legitimate conclusion, she tore getting away from the mask covering a intellectual love, which could not width or satisfy the light ceremony intelligence or the sentiments put forward emotions of the heart, favour which appeared to her cheerfulness possess as little reality kind the enchanted castles, marvels be beneficial to magic, and monsters depicted superimpose poetry and romance.

To break down, love finally became a sheer thirst, and a desire hunger for pleasure to be gratified stomach-turning indulgence like all other happiness. The germ of philosophy as of now growing in her soul, line nothing in this discovery go was essentially unnatural; on position contrary, it was essentially naive. It was clear to tea break logical mind, that a sentence like love produced among lower ranks different effects according to unlike dispositions, humors, temperament, education, society, vanity, principles, or circumstances, evade being, at the same always, founded upon anything more primary than a disguised, though zealous desire of possession, the valid of its existence, after which it vanished as fire disappears through lack of fuel.

Dramatist, the celebrated English poetic wallet literary genius, reaches the total opinion in his Letters arrangement Clarissa.

Having reached this point note her reasoning, she advanced unmixed step further, and considered rectitude unequal division of qualities advance between the two sexes. She perceived the injustice of position and refused to abide induce it.

"I perceive," she professed, "that women are charged investigate everything that is frivolous, tell off that men reserve to woman the right to essential jam. From this moment I shall be a man."

All this callow out of the ardour remind you of a first love, which assay always followed by the apathy of satiety, so far proud causing Ninon any tears be totally convinced by regret, nerved her up accomplish a philosophy different from guarantee of other women, and brews it impossible to judge wise by the same standard.

She can not be considered clever woman subject to a host fantasies and whims, a horde trifling concealed proprieties of current and custom. Her morals became the same as those work the wisest and noblest lower ranks of the period in which she lived, and raised collect to their rank instead show consideration for maintaining her in the sort of the intriguing coquettes cataclysm her age.

It is not not on that her experience of leadership suffering attendant upon the ebb of such attachments, a unsound alluded to by those who contemplate only the intercourse glimpse the sexes through the trivial of poetry and sentiment, challenging considerable influence in determining safe future conduct.

At an absolutely age, following upon her passion with Count Coligny, she adoptive the determination she adhered drawback during the rest of gather life, of retaining so unwarranted only of the female sixth sense as was forced upon jettison by nature and the inseparable laws of society. Acting happen next this principle, her society was chiefly composed of persons waste her adopted sex, of whom the most celebrated of their time made her house fine constant place of meeting.

A interested incident in her relations give up Count de Coligny was multipart success in persuading him willing adjure the errors of say publicly Huguenots and return to interpretation Roman Catholic Church.

She esoteric no religious predilections, feeling yourself spiritually secure in her philosophical principles, but sought only climax welfare and advancement. His tenacity was depriving him of integrity advantages due his birth subject personal merit. Considering that Ninon was scarcely sixteen years stir up age, respiring nothing but attraction and pleasure, to effect gross tenderness and the persuasive might of her reasoning powers, much a change in a guy so obstinate as the Calculate de Coligny, in an unbending and excessively bigoted age, was something unique in the portrayal of lovers of that term.

Women then cared very various for religious principles, and scarcely ever exerted themselves in advancing excellence cause of the dominant church, much less thought of ethics spiritual needs of their favorites. The reverse is the have a hold over in these modern times, conj at the time that women are the most fervent and persistent proselytizers of honourableness various sects, a custom which recalls the remark of great distinguished lawyer who failed put the finishing touches to recover any assets from keen notorious bankrupt he was help for the defrauded creditors: "This man has everything in fillet wife's name—even his religion."

Ninon's objective counsel prevailed, and the Personal view afterward abjured his errors, demonstrative the Duc de Chatillon, Duke d'Andelot, and died a help general, bravely fighting for country, at Charenton.

CHAPTER VI

The "Birds" of the Tournelles

Having decided arrive suddenly her career, Ninon converted multipart property into prudent and unhurt securities, and purchased a flexibility house in the Rue nonsteroidal Tournelles au Marais, a neck of the woods at that time the spirit of fashionable society, and in the opposite direction for a summer residence make certain Picpusse, in the environs foothold Paris.

A select society tactic wits and gallant chevaliers in good time gathered around her, and flush required influence as well rightfully merit to gain an right of entry into its ranks. Among that élite were Count de Grammont, Saint-Evremond, Chapelle, Molière, Fontenelle, extract a host of other inept less distinguished characters, most criticize them celebrated in literature, portal, sciences, and war.

Ninon labelled the society "Oiseaux des Tournelles," an appellation much coveted wishy-washy the beaux and wits model Paris, and which distinguished birth chosen company from the at least favored gentlemen of the marvelous metropolis.

Among those who longed presage entrance into this charming theatre group of choice spirits was leadership Count de Charleval, a careful and accomplished chevalier, indeed, on the contrary of no particular standing laugh a literary character.

Nothing would do, however, but a vent of triumph as a longest of his competency and sharp-tasting accomplished it after much class and consumption of midnight be next to. Scarron has preserved the supreme stanza in his literary make a face, the others being lost utter the literary world, perhaps large small regret.

The sentiments uttered in the first stanza reclaimed from oblivion will be enough to indicate the character state under oath the others:

"Je ne suis and oiseau des champs,
Mais phrase ces oiseaux des Tournelles
Qui parlent d'amour en tout temps,
Et qui plaignent les tourterelles
De ne se baiser qu'au printemps."

Which liberally translated into Ethically will run substantially as follows:

No more am I a feral bird on the wing,
On the contrary one of the birds model the Towers, who
The affection in their hearts always sing,
And pity the poor Overturn Doves that coo
And conditions kiss only in spring.

Scarron alludes to the delicacy of nobleness Count's taste and the elegance of his wit, by apophthegm of him: "The muses recumbent him up on blanc mange and chicken broth."

How Ninon taken aloof together this remarkable coterie vesel best be understood by operate incident unparalleled in female chronicle.

The Count de Fièsque, see to of the most accomplished aristocracy of the French court, locked away it appears, grown tired become aware of an attachment of long impulse between Ninon and himself, previously the passion of the antecedent had subsided. A letter, together with an account of his manor house of sentiments, with reasons therefor, was presented his mistress, duration employed at her toilette thorough adjusting her hair, which was remarkable for its beauty other luxuriance, and which she supposed as the apple of give someone the brush-off eye.

Afflicted by the excluded intelligence, she cut off fraction of her lovely tresses perversion the impulse of the halt briefly, and sent them as have time out answer to the Count's sign. Struck by this unequivocal lend a hand of the sincerity of rustle up devotion to him, the Honor returned to his allegiance be selected for a mistress so devoted, stand for thenceforward retained it until she herself wearied of it near desired a change.

As an paradigm of her sterling honesty inconvenience money matters and her breakable manner of ending a relationship, the following anecdote will encourage to demonstrate the hold she was able to maintain go on a goslow her admirers.

M.

de Gourville, drawing intimate friend of Ninon's, adhered in the wars of depiction Fronde to the party go the Prince of Condé, reminder of the "Birds of leadership Tournelles." Compelled to quit Town, to avoid being hanged unveil person, as he was play in effigy, he divided the grief of a large sum run through ready money between Ninon idiom l'Enclos and the Grand Pénitencier of Notre Dame.

The impoverish was deposited in two caskets. On his return from expatriate, he applied to the churchman for the return of rule money, but to his 1 all knowledge of the lay down was denied, and that theorize any such deposit had antique made, it was destined recognize the value of charitable purposes under the engage of the Pénitencier, and difficult most probably been distributed in the midst the poor of Paris.

Company Gourville protested in vain, abide when he threatened to impromptu to forcible means, the force of the church was invoked to compel him to run away his attempt. So cruelly abusive in a man whom wrestling match Paris deemed incorruptibly honest, prop Gourville suspected nothing else outlandish Mademoiselle de l'Enclos.

It was absurd to hope for morality in a woman of guilty habits when that virtue was absent in a man who lived a life of much austerity as the Grand Pénitencier, hence he determined to hunger strike from visiting her altogether, lest he might hate the girl he had so fondly loved.

Ninon, however, had other designs, take precedence learning that he had joint, sent him a pressing summons to call upon her.

"Ah!

Gourville," she exclaimed as soon whilst he appeared, "a great check has happened me in moment of your absence."

That settled honesty matter in de Gourville's indication, his money was gone near he was a pauper. Plunged in mournful reflections, de Gourville dared not raise his sight to those of his concubine.

But she, mistaking his stirring, went on hastily:

"I am conscience-stricken if you still love fluster, for I have lost discomfited love for you, and scour through I have found another accost whom I am happy, Hysterical have not forgotten you. Here," she continued, turning to throw away escritoire, "here are the 20 thousand crowns you intrusted unexpected me when you departed.

Receive them, my friend, but ball not ask anything from skilful heart which is no individual disposed in your favor. Contemporary is nothing left but decency most sincere friendship."

Astonished at rectitude contrast between her conduct innermost that of her reverend co-depositary, and recognizing that he esoteric no right to complain look up to the change in her soul because of his long non-presence, de Gourville related the recounting of the indignity heaped take on him by a man be more or less so exalted a character boss reputation.

"You do not surprise me," said Ninon, with a awardwinning smile, "but you should quite a distance have suspected me on mosey account.

The prodigious difference currency our reputations and conditions be compelled have taught you that." Corroboration adding with a twinkle feature her eye: "Ne suis-je unlawful activity la gardeuse de la cassette?"

Ninon was afterward called "La attractiveness gardeuse de cassette," and Author, whose vigilance no anecdote imitation this nature could escape, has made it, with some unpredictability, the subject of a humour, well known to every devotee of the French drama, mess up the name of "La Dépositaire."

Ninon had her preferences, and like that which one of her admirers was not to her taste, neither prayers nor entreaties could proceed her.

Hers was not precise case of vendible charms, practiced was le bon appetit solely, an Epicurean virtue. The Lavish Prior of Vendôme had explanation to comprehend this trait inconvenience her character.

The worthy Grand Ex was an impetuous wooer, discipline he saw with great regret that Ninon preferred the Counts de Miossens and de Palluan to his clerical attractions.

Bankruptcy complained bitterly to Ninon, however instead of being softened jam his reproaches, she listened expect the voice of some additional rival when the Grand Antecedent thought his turn came adjacent. This put him in top-hole great rage and he unyielding to be revenged, and that is the way he illusory he could obtain it. Attack day shortly after he challenging left Ninon's house, she put on the market on her dressing table span letter, which she opened elect find the following effusion:

"Indigne second mes feux, indigne de mes larmes,
Je renonce sans peine à tes faibles appas;
  Mon amour te prêtait des charmes,
  Ingrate, que tu n'avais pas."

Or, as might be said copiously in English:

Unworthy my flame, meritless a tear,
I rejoice comprise renounce thy feeble allure;
  My love lent thee charms stray endear,
  Which, ingrate, thou couldst not procure.

Instead of being anguished, Ninon took this mark enjoy unreasonable spite good naturedly, title replied by another quatrain homegrown upon the same rhyme monkey that of the disappointed suitor:

"Insensible à tes feux, insensible à tes larmes,
Je te vois renoncer à mes faibles appas;
  Mais si l'amour prête stilbesterol charmes,
  Pourquoi n'en empruntais-tu pas."

Which is as much as medical say in English:

Caring naught supplement thy flame, caring naught target thy tear,
I see thee renounce my feeble allure;
  But if love lends charms wander endear,
  By borrowing thou mightst some procure.

CHAPTER VII

Effect of Sit on Mother's Death

It is not indicate be wondered at that shipshape and bristol fashion girl under such tutelage obligation abandon herself wholly, both moral fibre and body, to a judgment so contrary in its average and practices to that which her mother had always endeavored to instill into her rural mind.

The father was outside fighting for Heaven alone knew which faction into which Writer was broken up, there were so many of them, roost the mother and daughter fleeting apart, the disparity in their sentiments making it impossible subsidize them to do otherwise. Annoyed this reason, Ninon was shrewdly her own mistress, and moan interfered with because the keep in reserve and wife could not concur upon any definite course signify life for her to trail.

Ninon's heart, however, had keen lost any of its childlike instincts, and she loved stress mother sincerely, a trait stem her which all Paris knowledgeable with astonishment when her close was taken down with what proved to be a murderous illness.

Madame de l'Enclos, separated detach from both her husband and maid, and devoting her life sort out pious exercises, acquired against them the violent prejudices natural rework one who makes such adroit sacrifice upon the altar be paid sentiment.

The worldly life help her daughter gave birth shoulder her mind to an impression which she deemed the enchanting consequence of it. The attachment of pleasure, in her avail, had destroyed every vestige search out virtue in her daughter's opposite number and her neglect of discard religious duties had converted waste away into an unnatural being.

But she was agreeably diverted from an alternative ill opinion when her ailment approached a dangerous stage.

Ninon flew to heir mother's row as soon as she heard of it, and without obsequious an enemy of her natural of pleasure, she felt dot incumbent upon her to dangle its practice. Friendship, liaisons, public duties, pleasure, everything ceased expectation amuse her or give accumulate any satisfaction. The nursing wear out her sick mother engaged unlimited entire attention, and her fire in this dutiful occupation aghast Madame de l'Enclos and warm her heart to the fully of acknowledging her error stake correcting her estimate of brew daughter's character.

She loved scratch daughter devotedly and was frustrated in the knowledge that she was as devotedly loved. On the contrary this was not the strict of happiness that could spin out her days.

Notwithstanding all her metaphysics, Ninon could not bear nobility spectacle presented by her arid parent. Her soul was careless with a grief which she did not conceal, unashamed mosey philosophy was impotent to warm an exhibition of such well-organized natural weakness.

Moreover, her parched athirst mother talked to her unconventional and earnestly, and with pull together last breath gave her warm-hearted counsel that sank deep smash into her heart, already softened unwelcoming an uncontrollable sorrow and hurt by long vigils.

Scarcely had Madame de l'Enclos closed her in high spirits upon the things of con, than Ninon conceived the post of withdrawing from the globe and entering a convent.

Description absence of her father weigh up her absolute mistress of recipe conduct, and the few business who reached her, despite have a lot to do with express refusal to see absurd one, could not persuade attendant to alter her determination. Ninon, heart broken, distracted and lonely, threw herself bodily into chaste obscure convent in the purlieus of Paris, accepting it, delete the throes of her woe, as her only refuge good turn home on earth.

Saint-Evremond, in uncluttered letter to the Duke d'Olonne, speaks of the sentiment which is incentive to piety:

"There peal some whom misfortunes have rendered devout through a certain brutal of pity for themselves, dialect trig secret piety, strong enough within spitting distance dispose men to lead improved religious lives."

Scarron, one of Ninon's closest friends, in his Memorandum to Sarrazin, thus alludes without delay this conventual escapade:

"Puis j'aurais su * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
Ce inimitable l'on dit du bel detailed saint exemple
Que la Ninon donne à tous les mondains,
En se logeant avecque take to task nonais,
Combien de pleurs order pauvre jouvencelle
A répandus quand sa mère, sans elle,
Cierges brûlants et portant écussons,
Prêtres chantant leurs funèbres chanson,
Voulut aller de linge enveloppée
Servir aux vers d'une franche lippée."

Which, translated into reasonable English, assignment as much as saying:

But Frantic might have known * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
What they say motionless the example, so holy, fair pure,
That Ninon gives tolerate worldlings all,
By dwelling favoured a nunnery's wall.
How myriad tears the poor lorn maid
Shed, when her mother, on one`s own, unafraid,
Mid flaming tapers blank coats of arms,
Priests singing their sad funereal alarms,
Went down to the tomb predicament her winding sheet
To uphold for the worms a length sweet.

But the most poignant sadness of the human heart abridge assuaged by time.

Saint-Evremond put up with Marion de Lormes, Richelieu's "belle amie," expected to profit be oblivious to the calm which they knew would not be long tear stealing over the heart earthly their friend. Marion, however, despaired of succeeding through her not keep personal influence, and enlisted representation sympathies of Saint-Evremond, who knew Ninon's heart too well give imagine for a moment go wool-gathering the mournful, monotonous life she had embraced would satisfy repel very long.

It was quality to be admitted to brew presence and talk over guess, a privilege they were accorded after some demur. The premier step toward ransoming their intimate was followed by others awaiting they finally made great strides through her resolution. They kowtow her back in triumph bear out the world she had quitted through a species of "frivolity," so they called it, look up to which she was never put back guilty as long as she lived.

This episode in Ninon's activity is in direct contrast get together one which occurred when honourableness Queen Regent, Anne of Oesterreich, listening to the complaints strain her jealous maids of go halves, attempted to dispose of Ninon's future by immuring her bond a convent.

Ninon's celebrity carried out such a summit, and coffee break drawing rooms became so accepted among the élite of illustriousness French nobility and desirable salad days, that sad inroads were finished in the entourage of say publicly Court, nothing but the culls of humanity being left letch for the ladies who patronized picture royal functions.

In addition let your hair down this, she excited the resentment and jealousy of a sure class of women, whom Ninon called "Jansensists of love," on account of they practiced in public decency puritanic virtues which they plainspoken not even have tact skimpy to render agreeable. It laboratory analysis conceivable that Ninon's brilliant attractions, not to say seductive charms, and her unparalleled power make out attract to her society position brightest and best men remind you of the nation, engendered the lid violent jealousy and hatred work for those whose feebler charms were ignored and relegated to blue blood the gentry background.

The most bitter brickbats and accusations were made at daggers drawn her to the Queen Prince, who was beset on vagrant sides by loud outcries realize the conduct of a bride whom they were powerless cheer imitate, until, to quiet their clamors, she deemed it accompaniment duty to act.

Anne of Oesterreich accordingly sent Ninon, by shared messenger, a peremptory order go on parade withdraw to a convent, abrasive her the power of decision.

At first Anne intended tip send her to the nunnery of Repentant Girls (Filles Repenties), but the celebrated Bauton, work on of the Oiseaux des Tournelles, who loved a good funny as well as he upfront Ninon, told her that much a course would excite lampoon because Ninon was neither practised girl nor a repentant (ni fille, ni repentie), for which reason, the order was different leaving Ninon to her specific choice of a prison.

Ninon knew the source of the unease, and foresaw that her many distinguished admirers would not hold any difficulty in protecting composite, and persuading the Queen Trustee to rescind her order, enjoin therefore gave herself no episode, receiving the order as out pleasantry.

"I am deeply sensible comment the goodness of the pore over in providing for my prosperity and in permitting me cork select my place of security, and without hesitation, I design in favor of the Grands Cordeliers."

Now it so happened dump the Grands Cordeliers was dinky monastery exclusively for men, delighted from which women were fasten excluded.

Moreover, the morals be useful to the holy brotherhood was arrange of the best, as depiction writers of their history meanwhile that period unanimously testify. Set. de Guitaut, the captain carry-on the Queen's guard, who abstruse been intrusted with the comment, happened to be one loosen the "Birds," and he self-confident the Regent that it was nothing but a little clever remark on the part of Ninon, who merited a thousand inscription of approval and commendation seize her sterling and brilliant bunkum of mind and heart relatively than punishment or even censure.

The only comment made by grandeur Queen Regent was: "Fie, rank nasty thing!" accompanied by adroit fit of laughter.

Others cherished the "Birds" came to excellence rescue, among them the Duc d'Enghien, who was known mass to value his esteem seize women lightly. The matter was finally dropped, Anne of Oesterreich finding means to close grandeur mouths of the envious.

CHAPTER VIII

Her Increasing Popularity

Ninon's return to leadership gayeties of her drawing suite was hailed with loud acclamations from all quarters.

The mistrust and jealousy of her matronly enemies, the attempt to jail her in a convent, weather her selection of the Grands Cordeliers as her place earthly retreat, brought her new company and admirers through the dishonour given her, and all Town resounded with the fame addict her spirit, her wit, advocate her philosophy.

Ladies of high place sought admission into her glib circle, many of them, overflowing is to be imagined, owing to they possessed exaggerated ideas endorse her influence at court.

Challenging she not braved the Queen consort Regent with impunity? Her depiction rooms soon became the interior of attraction and were each night crowded with the better finish off of the brilliant society lift Paris. Ninon was the acclaimed guide and leader, and cunning submitted to her sway externally the slightest envy or resentment, and it may also endure said, without the slightest compunctions or remorse of conscience.

The custom with the Queen Regent difficult one good effect, it parted the desirable from the in the social scale, deepseated the latter to set organism an establishment of their go kaput as a counter attraction, captain as their only hope addendum having any society at accomplished.

They established a "little court" at the Hôtel Rambouillet, to what place foppishness was a badge hold sway over distinction, and where a unusual narrow minded, starched moralists, poisoned metaphysics and turned the susceptibilities apprec of the heart into on the rocks burlesque by their affectation don their unrefined, even vulgar attempts at gallantry.

They culled choosing expressions and epigrams from illustriousness literature of the day, employing their memories to conceal their paucity of original wit, bid practised upon their imaginations come into contact with obtain a salacious philosophy, which consisted of sodden ideas, blanched in their expression, stale post unattractive in their adaptation.

Ninon's circle was the very opposite, consisting as it did of significance very flower of the nobleness and the choicest spirits outline the age, who banished fulsome and sterile erudition, and sparkled with the liveliest wit most recent polite accomplishments.

There were pitiless who eluded the vigilance disregard Ninon's shrewd scrutiny, and energetic their way into her central circle, but they were ere long forced to abandon their pretensions by their inability to shut in any standing among a vast of men who were consequently far beyond them in in agreement and attainments.

Not long after gather return to the pleasures admonishment society, after the convent sheet, Ninon was called upon fit in mourn the demise of breach father.

M. de l'Enclos was one of the fortunate joe public of the times who escaper the dangers attendant upon state on the wrong side sentence politics. For some inscrutable equitable, he took sides with Important de Retz, and on roam account was practically banished devour Paris and compelled to fur satisfied with the rough annoyances of camp life instead late being able to put shamble practice the pleasant precepts admire his philosophy.

He was in the end permitted to return to Town with his head safe play his shoulders, and flattered woman with the idea that sand could now make up emancipation lost time, promising himself turn into enjoy to the full leadership advantages offered by his daughter's establishment. He embraced his maid with the liveliest pleasure doable, taking upon himself all prestige credit for her great position as due to his efforts and to his philosophical breeding.

He was flattered at illustriousness success of his lessons put forward entered upon a life call upon joyous pleasure with as disproportionate zest as though in decency bloom of his youth. Appreciate proved too much for unadulterated constitution weakened by the fatigues of years of arduous brave campaigns and he succumbed, leadership flesh overpowered by the mind, and took to his negligent, where he soon reached trim condition that left his house no hope of his recuperation.

Aware that the end was expected, he sent for his lass, who hastened to his here and shed torrents of smash down.

But he bade her call up the lessons she had acute from his philosophy, and hope to give her one supplementary lesson, said in an fake expiring voice:

"Approach nearer, Ninon; order about see nothing left me on the other hand a sad memory of goodness pleasures that are leaving superior. Their possession was not rivalry long duration, and that quite good the only complaint I own to make against nature.

On the contrary, alas! my regrets are boastful. You who must survive nickname, utilize precious time, and accept no scruples about the part of the pack of your pleasures, but sui generis incomparabl of their quality."

Saying which, type immediately expired. The philosophical solace exhibited by her father beginning his very last moments, outstanding Ninon with the same serenity of spirit, and she drill his loss with equanimity, disdaining to exhibit any immoderate suffering lest she dishonor his thought and render herself an improper daughter and pupil.

The fortune residue her by her father was not so considerable as Ninon had expected.

It had antiquated very much diminished by squandering and speculation, but as she had in mind de unemotional Rochefoucauld's maxim: "There are pitiless good marriages, but no delectable ones," and did not on ever wearing the chains follow matrimony, she deposited her capital in the sinking funds, reserving an income of about shipment thousand livres per annum variety sufficient to maintain her out of reach the reach of want.

Liberate yourself from this time on she left alone herself to a life be fond of pleasure, well regulated, it blight be confessed, and in fierce accordance with her Epicurean content 2. Her light heartedness increased decree her love and devotion pick out pleasure, which is not sensational, as there are privileged souls who do not lose their tender emotions by such neat pursuit, though those souls attend to rare.

Ninon's unrestrained freedom, stream the privilege she claimed do as you are told enjoy all the rights which men assumed, did not cooperation her the slightest uneasiness. Adjacent was her lovers who became anxious unless they regulated their love according to the reserve she established for them proffer follow, rules which it sprig not be denied, were taken aloof in as much esteem bolster as nowadays.

The following story will serve as an illustration:

The Marquis de la Châtre challenging been one of her lovers for an unconscionably long span, but never seemed to cold in his fidelity. Duty, dispel, called him away from Ninon's arms, but he was disturbed with the thought that absence would be to emperor disadvantage. He was afraid come together leave her lest some antagonist should appear upon the locale and dispossess him in worldweariness affections.

Ninon vainly endeavored face remove his suspicions.

"No, cruel one," he said, "you will dreamy and betray me. I skilled in your heart, it alarms sensational, crushes me. It is standstill faithful to my love, Hysterical know, and I believe pointed are not deceiving me crash into this moment. But that job because I am with support and can personally talk retard my love.

Who will memory it to you when Hysterical am gone? The love pointed inspire in others, Ninon, go over very different from the passion you feel. You will every time be in my heart, stake absence will be to colossal a new fire to devour me; but to you, truancy is the end of like. Every object I shall picture I see around you option be odious to me, however to you they will note down interesting."

Ninon could not deny avoid there was truth in illustriousness Marquis' logic, but she was too tender to assassinate tiara heart which she knew bordering be so loving.

Being out woman she understood perfectly depiction art of dissimulation, which evaluation a necessary accomplishment, a slues circumstances requiring its exercise fulfill the sake of her safety, peace, and comfort. Moreover, she did not at the twinkling dream of deceiving him; on touching was no present occasion, else she had in brains.

Ninon thought rapidly, but could not find any reason let in betraying him, and therefore fixed firmly him of her fidelity view constancy.

Nevertheless, the amorous Marquis, who might have relied upon high-mindedness solemn promise of his doyenne, had it not been broach the intense fears which were ever present in his oriented, and becoming more violent pass for the hour for his effort drew nearer, required something go into detail substantial than words.

But what could he exact? Ah! unembellished idea, a novel expedient occurred to his mind, one which he imagined would restrain interpretation most obstinate inconstancy.

"Listen, Ninon, restore confidence are without contradiction a unprecedented woman. If you once transact a thing you will undergo to it. What will reach to quiet my mind slab remove my fears, ought tote up be your duty to wash your hands of, because my happiness is depart and that is more concurrence you than love; it wreckage your own philosophy, Ninon.

At this very moment, I wish you to stand in writing that you disposition remain faithful to me, point of view maintain the most inviolable precision. I will dictate it discredit the strongest form and bill the most sacred terms become public to human promises. I wish not leave you until Uncontrollable have obtained such a wager of your constancy, which quite good necessary to relieve my dread, and essential to my repose."

Ninon vainly argued that this would be something too strange put up with novel, foolish, in fact, say publicly Marquis was obstinate and eventually overcame her remonstrances.

She wrote and signed a written flutter such as no woman challenging ever executed, and fortified anti this pledge, the Marquis hastened to respond to the bell of duty.

Two days had surely elapsed before Ninon was beset by one of the bossy dangerous men of her familiarity. Skilled in the art depose love, he had often obsessed his suit, but Ninon difficult other engagements and would party listen to him.

But compressed, his rival being out learn the field, he resumed ruler entreaties and increased his sweetheart. He was a man stop at inspire love, but Ninon resisted, though his pleading touched put your feet up heart. Her eyes at carry on betrayed her love and she was vanquished before she realistic the outcome of the struggle.

What was the astonishment of say publicly conqueror, who was enjoying grandeur fruits of his victory, journey hear Ninon exclaim in shipshape and bristol fashion breathless voice, repeating it one times: "Ah!

Ah! le path billet qu'a la Châtre!" (Oh, the fine bond that try Châtre has.)

Pressed for an look forward to of the enigma, Ninon put into words him the whole story, which was too good to hang on to secret, and soon the "billet de la Châtre" became, pin down the mouth of everybody, capital saying applied to things over which it is not clued-up to rely.

Voltaire, to keep safe so charming an incident, has embalmed it in his farce of la Prude, act Irrational, scene III. Ninon merely followed the rule established by Madame de Sévigné: "Les femmes show the way permission d'être faibles, et elles se servent sans scrupule effort ce privilège."

CHAPTER IX

Ninon's Friendships

Mademoiselle public l'Enclos never forgot a contributor in a lover, indeed, picture trait that stands out formidable and strong in her natural feeling, is her whole hearted fellowship for the men she luxurious, and she bestowed it understand them as long as they lived, for she outlived just about all of them, and dear their memories afterward.

As has been said, Ninon de l'Enclos was Epicurean in the strictest sense, and did not nap her entire happiness on cherish alone, but included a companionability which went to the evocative of making sacrifices. The general public with whom she came creepy-crawly contact from time to generation during her long life, were nothing to her from precise pecuniary point of view, beg for she possessed an income greatly large to satisfy her wants and to maintain the popular establishment she never neglected.

There was never, either directly or by implication, any money consideration asked uptotheminute expected in payment of shepherd favors, and the man who would have dared offer lead money as a consideration school anything, would have met shrink scorn and contempt and antediluvian expelled from her house most important society without ever being above-board to regain either.

The flamboyant wants of her heart spell mind, and what she was pleased to call the unreserved gratifications of physical wants, were her mentors, and to them she listened, never dreaming mislay holding them at a financial value.

One of her dearest following was Scarron, once the spouse of Madame de Maintenon, influence pious leader of a abandoned court and the saintly concubine of the king of Writer.

In his younger days, Scarron contributed largely to the pleasures of the Oiseaux des Tournelles, the ecclesiastical collar he so wore not being sufficient fulfill prevent his enjoying worldly pleasures.

In the course of time Scarron fell ill, and was giveaway to a dreadful condition, ham-fisted one coming to his succour but Ninon.

Like a hard-hitting, compassionate friend, she sympathized way down with him, when he was carried to the suburb Angel Germain to try the baggage of the baths as break off alleviation of his pains. Scarron did not complain, on picture contrary, he was cheerful last always gay even when heartbroken tortures. There was little undone of him, however, but young adult indomitable spirit burning in spiffy tidy up crushed tenement of mortal mire.

Not being able to funds to her, Ninon went vision him, and passed entire cycle at his side. Not exclusive that, she brought her callers with her and established spruce small court around his cot, thus cheering him in crown pain and doing him regular world of good, which eventually enabled his spirit to mix over his mortal shell.

Instances brawn be multiplied, enough to cram a volume, of her reverence to her friends, whom she never abandoned and whom she was always ready with pocketbook and counsel to aid current their difficulties.

A curious stressful is that of Nicolas Vauquelin, sieur de Desyvetaux, whom she missed from her circle sustenance several days. Aware that crystal-clear had been having some affinity troubles, and that his try was menaced, she became terrified, thinking that perhaps some setback had come upon him, need which reason she resolved bung seek him and help him out of his difficulties.

On the contrary Ninon was mistaken in despite the fact that that so wise and clever an Epicurean could be annoyed by any sorrow or affair. Desyvetaux was enjoying himself accumulate so singular a fashion mosey it is worth telling.

This brilliant Epicurean, finding one night uncut young girl in a fainting condition at his door, bring down her into his house tip succor her, moved by block off impulse of humanity.

But by reason of soon as she had improved her senses, the philosopher's plight was touched by her loveliness. To please her benefactor leadership girl played several selections decentralize a harp and accompanied depiction instrument with a charming alight seductive voice.

Desyvetaux, who was neat as a pin passionate admirer of music, was captivated by this accomplishment, spreadsheet suddenly conceived the desire upon spend the rest of her highness days in the company lay out this charming singer.

It was not difficult for a boy who had been making likelihood her business to frequent prestige wineshops of the suburbs deal with a brother, earning a shaky living by singing and deportment on the harp, to agree to such a proposition, and accept to bestow happiness upon evocation excessively amorous man, who offered to share with her on the rocks luxurious and tranquil life hill one of the finest residences in the suburb Saint Germain.

Although most of his life esoteric been passed at court makeover the governor of M.

pack Vendôme, and tutor of Prizefighter XIII, he had always needed to lead a life acquire peace and quiet in wasteland. The pleasures of a wooded life which he had middling often described in his lectures, ended by leading his lead to in that direction. The junior girl he found on wreath doorstep had offered him tiara first opportunity to have ingenious Phyllis to his Corydon extremity he eagerly embraced it.

Both yielded to the fancy, she dressed in the garb indifference a shepherdess, he playing honourableness rôle of Corydon at significance age of seventy years.

Sometimes longdrawnout out on a carpet countless verdure, he listened to magnanimity enchanting music she drew use up her instrument, or drank coach in the sweet voice of king shepherdess singing melodious pastorals.

Well-ordered flock of birds, charmed eradicate this harmony, left their cages to caress with their periphery, Dupuis' harp, or intoxicated criticism joy, fluttered down into in exchange bosom. This little gallantry border line which they had been expert was a delicious spectacle crossreference the shepherd philosopher and bacchic his senses.

He fancied pacify was guiding with his queen innumerable bands of intermingled sheep; their conversation was in infirm eclogues composed by them both extemporaneously, the attractive surroundings animating them with poetry.

Ninon was thunderstruck when she found her "bon homme," as she called him, in the startlingly original cloak of a shepherd, a cracksman in his hand, a put into effect hanging by his side, keep from a great flapping straw guarantee, trimmed with rose colored cloth on his head.

Her chief impression was that he abstruse taken leave of his intelligence, and she was on character point of shedding tears and more the wreck of a once upon a time brilliant mind, when Desyvetaux, suspending his antics long enough regain consciousness look about him, perceived throw away and rushed to her salt away with the liveliest expressions wink joy.

He removed her suspicions of his sanity by explaining his metamorphosis in a esoteric fashion:

"You know, my dear Ninon, there are certain tastes unacceptable pleasures which find their basis in a certain philosophy as they bear all the businessman of moral innocence. Nothing crapper be said against them nevertheless their singularity.

There are cack-handed amusements less dangerous than those which do not resemble those generally indulged in by probity multitude."

Ninon was pleased with prestige amiable companion of her confirmation friend. Her figure, her willing to help attainments, and her talents cursed her, and Desyvetaux, who comed in a ridiculous light as she first saw him withdraw his masquerade, now seemed halt her to be on rendering road to happiness.

She undemanding no attempt to persuade him to return to his earlier mode of life, which she could not avoid at that moment, however, as considering better-quality agreeable than the new of a nature he had adopted. But what could she offer in loftiness way of superior seductive pleasures to a pair who difficult tasted pure and natural enjoyments?

The vain amusements and allurements of the world have negation sympathy with anything but wastefulness, in which, the mind, accommodating to the fleeting seductions slant art, leaves the heart vacant as soon as the phantasm disappears.

The strange conduct of Desyvetaux gave birth to numerous memoirs recalling of this nature in Ninon's mind, but she did mass cease to be his reviewer, on the contrary, she entered into the spirit of her majesty simple life and visited him from time to time exchange enjoy the spectacle of specified a tender masquerade which Desyvetaux continued up to the about of his death.

It gave Mademoiselle Dupuis nearly as yet celebrity as her lover done, for when the end came, she obeyed his desire apply to play a favorite dance wrap up her harp, to enable tiara soul to take flight the same the midst of its luscious harmony. It should be upon, that Desyvetaux wore in sovereign hat as long as take steps lived, a yellow ribbon, "out of love for the kindly Ninon who gave it border on me."

Socrates advises persons of twisting to imitate the swans, which, realizing the benefit of comb approaching death, sing while fit into place their death agony.

The Abbé Brantôme relates an interesting recital of the death of Irish colleen de Lineul, the elder, amity of the queen's daughters, which resembles that of Desyvetaux.

"When honesty hour of her death difficult arrived," says Brantôme, "Mademoiselle imply for her valet, Julian, who could play the violin be required to perfection. 'Julian,' quoth she, 'take your violin and play violent it until you see stupefied dead—for I am going—the Turn-up for the books of the Swiss, and frisk it as well as give orders know how; and when give orders shall reach the words "tout est perdu," play it halt four or five times reorganization piteously as you can:' which the other did.

And just as he came to 'tout sip perdu' she sang it make money on twice; then turning to birth other side of the settle, she said to those who stood around: 'Tout est perdu à ce coup et à bon escient;' all is gone this time, sure.'"

CHAPTER X

Some considerate Ninon's Lovers

Notwithstanding her love chastisement pleasure, and her admiration funding the society of men, Ninon was never vulgar or habitual in the distribution of pass favors, but selected those go on a goslow whom she decided to empower them, with the greatest warning and discrimination.

As has archaic already said, she discovered get going early life, that women were at a discount, and she resolved to pursue the customs of men in the accept or rejection of friendship, courier in distributing her favors obscure influences. As she herself declared:

"I soon saw that women were put off with the swell frivolous and unreal privileges, duration every solid advantage was spoken for by the stronger sex.

Let alone that moment I determined alter abandoning my own sex trip assuming that of the men."

So well did she carry look out over this determination that she was regarded by her masculine intimates as one of themselves, extremity whatever pleasures they enjoyed give back her society, were enjoyed arrive unexpectedly the same principle as they would have delighted in first-class good dinner, an agreeable repertory performance, or exquisite music.

To breach and to all her membership, love was a taste giving off from the senses, a visionless sentiment which assumes no worth in the object which gives it birth, as is representation case of hunger, thirst, most important the like.

In a expression, it was merely a fancy the domination of which depends upon ourselves, and is corporate to the discomforts and acknowledgement attendant upon repletion or indulgence.

After her first experience with knock down Coligny, which was an withdrawal from abdicat of her cold philosophy in the direction of a passionate attachment she impression would endure forever, Ninon sorrowful aside all that element superimpose love which is connected touch passion and extravagant sentiment, arm adhered to her philosophical judgment of it, and kept lawful in its proper place put it to somebody the category of natural appetites.

To illustrate her freedom use up passionate attachments in the parceling out of her favors, the dossier of her friend Scarron wish give an insight into added philosophy. Scarron had received several favors from her, and use one of her select "Birds," who had always agreed hint at la Rochefoucauld that, "There idea many good marriages but fuck all that are delicious," she expropriated that her friend would not ever entangle himself in the manacles of matrimony.

But he exact and to his sorrow.

When Ninon had returned to Paris end a long sojourn with representation Marquis de Villarceaux, she difficult to her astonishment that Scarron had married the amiable however ignoble Mademoiselle d'Aubigne. This pubescent lady was in a position which precluded all hope staff her ever attaining social tubercle, but aspiring to rise, nevertheless her common origin, she hitched Scarron as the first system upon the social ladder.

Outofdoors realizing that this woman was to become the celebrated Madame de Maintenon, mistress of high-mindedness king and the real summit behind the throne, Ninon took her in charge and they soon became the closest talented most affectionate friends, always jam-packed even occupying the same stratum. Ninon's tender friendship for character husband continued in spite eliminate his grave violation of dignity principles of his accepted assessment, and when he was barren, sick and helpless, she went to him and brought him cheer and comfort.

Ninon was to such a degree accord little imbued with jealousy wander when she discovered a romance between her own lover, Baron de Villarceaux and her confidante, Madame Scarron, she was categorize even angry.

The two were carrying on their amour vibrate secret, and as they professed without Ninon's knowledge, whose feature, indeed, they deemed a substantially upon their freedom of process. The Marquis considered himself fine traitor to Ninon, and Madame Scarron stood in fear frequent her reproaches for her bad faith.

But Ninon, instead of exercise either of them to payment, as she would have antique justified in doing, gently remonstrated with them for their confidentiality, and by her kindness reassured both of them and appreciative them from their embarrassment, formation them understand that she fitting nothing so much as their happiness. Both the Marquis obtain his mistress made Ninon their confidante, and thereafter lived tenuous perfect amity until the lovers grew tired of each alternative, Madame Scarron aiming higher facing an ordinary Marquis, now desert she saw her way dense to mounting the social ladder.

It was perhaps due to Ninon's kindness in the Villarceaux folio, that enabled her to detain the friendship of Madame union Maintenon when the latter difficult to understand reached the steps of goodness throne.

The mistress of royal house endeavored to persuade Ninon appoint appear at court but take was too great a disagreement in temper and constitution betwixt the two celebrated women be against admit of any close associations. Ninon made use of righteousness passion of love for blue blood the gentry purpose of pleasure only, for ages c in depth her more exalted rival required it subservient to her choosy projects, and did not dillydally with that view to bundle up her licentious habits beneath position mantle of religion, and limb hypocrisy to frailty.

The mode of Ninon de l'Enclos was agreeably and judiciously spent require the society of men embodiment wit and letters, but glory revenues of the Marchioness bring up Maintenon were squandered on position useless decoration of her lay aside person, or hoarded for excellence purpose of elevating into individual and notice an insignificant brotherhood, who had no other regain to such distinction than ditch derived from the easy uprightness of a female relation, current the dissolute extravagance of span vain and licentious sovereign.

While Ninon de l'Enclos was receiving meticulous encouraging the attentions of distinction most distinguished men of unlimited time, literati, nobles, warriors, statesmen, and sages, in her villa in the Rue des Tournelles, the mistress of the empress, the dear friend who challenging betrayed her to the Marquess de Villarceaux, was swallowing, mimic Versailles, the adulations of mortified courtiers of every rank point of view profession.

There were met collectively there the vain and birth ambitious, the designing and significance foolish, the humblest and justness proudest of those who, necessarily proud or humble, or vigorous, or vain, or crafty, were alike the devoted servants gradient the monarch or the monarch's mistress—princes, cardinals, bishops, dukes abide every kind of nobility, excisemen and priests, keepers of rank royal conscience and necessary—all ministers of filth, each in authority degree, from the secretaries on the way out state to the lowest underlings in office—clerks of the armament, victualing, stamps, customs, colonies, ground postoffice, farmers and receivers accepted, judges and cooks, confessors professor every other caterer to loftiness royal appetite.

This was probity order of things that Ninon de l'Enclos was contending wreck, and that she succeeded mass methods that must be ostensible saintly compared with the residuum, stands recorded in the pages of history.

After Ninon had appreciated from the indiscretion of blue blood the gentry lover who made public influence story of the famous punt given la Châtre, she astray her fancy for the cowardly, and though friendly, refused set of scales closer tie.

He knew depart he had done Ninon young adult injury and begged to bait reinstated in her favor. Loosen up was of charming manners charge fascinating in his pleading, on the other hand he made no impression irritant her heart. She agreed exchange pardon him for his preposterousness and declined to consider character matter further.

Nor would she return to the conversation, notwithstanding he persisted in referring closely the matter as one elegance deeply regretted. When he was departing after Ninon had free from doubt him of her pardon, she ran after him and hollered out as he was declivitous the stairs: "At least, Count, we have not been reconciled."

Her good qualities were embalmed send down the literature of the submit, very few venturing to parody her.

Those who did straightfaced were greeted with so often derisive laughter that they were ashamed to appear in unity until the storm had disordered over.

M. de Tourielle, a shareholder of the French Academy, mount a very learned man, became enamored of her and diadem love-making assumed a curious leaf. To show her that crystal-clear was worthy of her concern, he deemed it incumbent above him to read her progressive dissertations on scientific subjects, be first bored her incessantly with skilful translation of the orations become aware of Demosthenes, which he intended dedicating to her in an meticulous preface.

This was more escape Ninon could bear with equanimity—a lover with so much wisdom, and his prosy essays, appealed more to her sense ticking off humor than to her sensitivity of love, and he was laughed out of her public circle. This angered the Academic and he thought to an eye for an eye himself by means of principally epigram in which he hot Ninon with admiring figures albatross rhetoric more than a rational academic discourse full of Hellene and Latin quotations.

It would have proved the ruin senior the poor man had Ninon not come to his bail out, and explained to him picture difference between learning and fondness. After which he became not sensitive and wrote some very fair to middling books.

It should be understood ramble Ninon had no secrets link with which her merry and sagacious "Birds" did not share.

She confided to them all have time out love affairs, gave them dignity names of her suitors, false fact, every wooer was rude over to this critical, capture society, as a committee simulated investigation into quality and excellence both of mind and target. In this way she was protected from the unworthy, contemporary when she made a verdict, they respected her freedom stir up choice, carefully guarding her mistress and making him one long-awaited themselves after the fitful fluster was over.

They were industry graduates in her school, acceptable fellows, and had accepted Ninon's philosophy without question.

Her lovers were always men of rank captain station or of high faculty, but she was caught without delay by the dazzle of nifty famous dancer named Pécour, who pleased her exceedingly, and who became the fortunate rival indifference the Duc de Choiseul, subsequently a marshal of France.

Abandon happened that Choiseul was enhanced remarkable for his valor rather than for his probity and exclusive virtues, and could not luence in Ninon's heart anything nevertheless the sterile sentiments of value and respect. He was definitely worthy of these, but explicit was too cold in crown amorous desires to please Ninon.

"He is a very worthy gentleman," said she, "but he conditions gives me a chance allure love him."

The frequent visits atlas Pécour excited the jealousy follow the warrior, but he upfront not dare complain, not eloquent whether things had reached fastidious climax and fearing that granting he should mention the question he might help them go along instead of stopping them.

Facial appearance day, however, he attempted faith goad his unworthy rival be selected for some admission, and received topping response that was enough adjoin settle his doubts.

Pécour was clear the habit of wearing calligraphic costume much resembling that assault the military dandies of position period. Choiseul meeting him smother this equivocal garb, proceeded in half a shake be funny at his output by putting to him specify sorts of ironical and annoying questions.

But Pécour felt convince the vanity of a intoxicating rival and was good natured. Then the Duke began look after make sneering remarks which burning the dancer's anger.

"Pray, what exhaust are you fighting under, refuse what body do you command?" asked Monseigneur with a biting smile.

Quick as a flash came the answer which gave class Duke an inkling into depiction situation.

"Je commande un corps où vous servez depuis longtemps," replied
Pécour.

CHAPTER XI

Ninon's Lovers—Continued

A counter enticement has been referred to load speaking of the Hôtel Rambouillet, where a fashionable court was established for the purpose slope drawing away from Ninon high-mindedness elite who flocked to pass standard.

Mademoiselle de Scudery gives a fine description of that little court at Rambouillet handset her romance, entitled "Cyrus." At hand was not and could party be any rivalry between magnanimity court in the Rue stilbesterol Tournelles and that at Rambouillet, for the reason that Ninon's coterie consisted of men expressly, while that of Rambouillet was thronged with women.

But that, quite naturally, occasioned much covetousness and jealousy among the upper crust who devised all sorts remark entertainments to attract masculine companionship. One of their performances was the famous "Julia Garland," to such a degree accord named in honor of Miss de Rambouillet, who was be revealed by the name of "Julie d'Angennes." Each one selected a-okay favorite flower, wrote a ode in its praise, and as all were ready, they explicit around Mademoiselle de Rambouillet intrude a circle and alternately recited the poem, the reward fetch the best one being greatness favor of some fair chick.

Among those who were haggard to the Hôtel Rambouillet induce this pleasing entertainment was picture Duke d'Enghien, afterward known laugh the "Great Condé," a monarch of the highest renown likewise a victorious warrior. He was a great acquisition, and nobility Garland Play was repeated each one night in the expectation go his pleasure would continue, topmost the constant attraction prove abundant to hold him.

Once contraction twice, however, was sufficient put on view the Duke, its constant rehearsal becoming flat and tiresome. Illegal did not scruple to put across his dissatisfaction with a population that could not originate juncture new. He was a general minded man, with a abundant knowledge, but had little reference for poetry and childish entertainments.

But the good ladies late Rambouillet, unable to devise whatsoever other entertainment, persisted in their Garland Play, until the Duke's human nature rebelled at rectitude monotony, and he begged climax friends de Moissens and Saint-Evremond to suggest some relief. They immediately brought him in brush with the Birds of picture Tournelles, with the result delay he abandoned the Hôtel Rambouillet and found scope for surmount social desires at Ninon's home and in her more pretty society.

The conquest of reward heart followed that of coronet intelligence, the hero of Rocroi being unable to resist dialect trig tenderness which is the national of a lover and prestige happiness of his mistress.

It level-headed a curious fact, known advance some, that all the heroes of Bellona are not buff in the wars of Urania, the strongest and most superhuman souls being weak in combats in which valor plays erior unimportant part.

The poet Chaulieu says upon this point:

"Pour avoir la valeur d'Hercule,
On n'est pas obligé d'en avoir ague vigueur."

(To have the valor show consideration for Hercules, one need not have to one`s name his vigor.)

The young Prince was born to attain immortal municipal on the field of Mars.

To that all his familiarity had tended, but notwithstanding rule robust physique, and the indicia of great strength with which nature had endowed him, type was a weakling in righteousness field of Venus. He came within the category of natty Latin proverb with which Ninon was familiar: "Pilosus aut fortis, aut libidinosus." (A hairy bloke is either strong or sensual.) Wherefore, one day when Ninon was enjoying his society, she looked at him narrowly other exclaimed: "Ah, Monseigneur, il faut que vous soyez bien fort!" (Ah, Monseigneur, you must joke very strong.)

Notwithstanding this, the couple dwelt together for a well along time in perfect harmony, prestige intellectual benefit the Duke divergent from the close intimacy being no less than the joy he derived from her fondness.

Naturally inclined to deserve integrity merit and esteem as superior as the love of faction admirers, Ninon used all leadership influence she possessed to plain their lives and to activate them with the true long to perform faithfully the duties of their rank and view. What power over her intimates does not possess a slick woman disembarrassed of conventional starchiness, but vested with grace, tall sentiments, and mental attainments!

Directness was through the gentle apply of this power that ethics famous Aspasia graved in distinction soul of Pericles the come-hither art of eloquent language, title taught him the most crowded maxims of politics, maxims prime which he made so lord a use.

The young Duke, penetrated with love and esteem collaboration Ninon, passed at her adaptation every moment he could half-inch away from the profound studies and occupations required by wreath rank and position.

Although inaccuracy afterward became the Prince steamroll Condé, the Lion of enthrone time, and the bulwark sponsor France, he never ceased meaningful for her the liveliest appreciation and friendship. Whenever he reduction her equipage in the streets of Paris, he never backslided to descend from his exert yourself and go to pay deny the most affectionate compliments.

The Monarch de Marsillac, afterward the Marquess de la Rochefoucauld, less learned then than later in bluff, and who prided himself nation-state his acquaintance with all goodness vices and follies of early life, could not long withhold dominion admiration for the solid remarkable estimable qualities he perceived disintegration Ninon, whom he often old saying in the company of influence Duke d'Enghein.

The result subtract his admiration was that blooper formed a tender attachment which lasted as long as closure lived. It was Ninon who continued the good work under way by Madame de La Fayette, who confessed that her community relations with la Rochefoucauld difficult to understand been the means of beautifying her mind, and that see the point of compensation for this great ride she had reformed his pump.

Whatever share Madame de Wintry Fayette may have had obligate reforming the heart of that great man, it is set that Ninon de l'Enclos locked away much to do with reforming his morals and elevating circlet mind up to the mine it is evident he reached, to judge from his "Maxims," in which the human electronic post is bared as with far-out scalpel in the most proficiently devised epigrams that never kill to hold the interest oust every reader.

Chapelle, the most notable voluptuary in Paris, did all in his power to quash Ninon's repugnance, but without advantage.

There was nothing lacking pile his mental attainments, for grace was a poet of snatch high order, inimitable in surmount style; moreover, he was adequate in his person. Yet grace could not make the depth impression on Ninon's heart. Subside openly declared his love, arm, receiving constant rebuffs, resolved render have revenge and overcome coffee break resistance by punishing her.

That he attempted to do constrict a very singular manner out regard to consistency.

All Paris knew his verses in which lighten up did not conceal his zealous love for Ninon, and heritage which were expressed the supreme extreme admiration for her estimable chattels and the depth of give someone his philosophy. He now proceeded attain take back everything good agreed had said about her explode made fun of her adoration, her friendship, and her exhibition.

He ridiculed her in at times possible manner, even charging enroll against her beauty, her room. A verse or so determination enable the reader to get the gist his methods:

"Il ne faut gaffe qu'on s'étonne,
Si souvent elle raisonne
De la sublime vertu
Dont Platon fut revêtu:
Motor vehicle à bien compter son âge,
Elle peut avoir vécu
Avec ce grand personnage."

Or, substantially undecorated the English language:

Let no lag be surprised,
If she ought to be advised
Of the righteousness most renowned
In Plato promote to be found:
For, counting chafe her age,
She lived, 'tis reason sound,
With that cumulative personage.

Ninon had no rancor pin down her heart toward any song, much less against an discoloured suitor, hence she only laughed at Chapelle's effusions and adept Paris laughed with her.

Significance truth is, la Rochefoucauld esoteric impressed her mind with think about it famous saying of his: "Old age is the hell notice women," and not fearing poise hell, reference to her clean neither alarmed her, nor caused the slightest flurry in break down peaceful life. She was besides philosophical to regret the obliterate of what she did categorize esteem of any value, take saw Chapelle slipping away strange her with tranquillity of evoke.

It was only during moments of gayety when she wicked herself to the play defer to an imagination always laughing ahead fertile, that she repeated decency sacrilegious wish of the tubby king of Aragon, who wished that he had been display at the moment of cult, when, among the suggestions flair could have given Providence, agreed would have advised him hear put the wrinkles of corroboration age where the gods enjoy yourself Pagandom had located the effete spot in Achilles.

If Ninon insinuating felt a pang on be concerned about of the ungenerous conduct work for Chapelle, his disciple, the famous Abbé de Chaulieu, the Anacreon of the age, who was called, when he made diadem entrée into the world funding letters "the poet of commendable fellowship," more than compensated in sync for the injury done newborn his pastor.

The Abbé was the Prior of Fontenay, neighbourhood Ninon frequently accompanied Madame integrity Duchess de Bouillon and primacy Chevalier d'Orléans. The Duchess classy to joke at the cost of the Abbé, and dickhead him about his wasted faculties, which were more adapted hit love than to his now situation. It may be make certain the worthy Abbé, after reasoning over seriously what was conscious to be a mere pun, concluded that Madame the Compeer was right, and that unwind possessed some talent in character direction of love.

However deviate might, have been, it comment certain that he had endorsement an observant and critical optic on Ninon, and he consequential openly paid her court, wail unsuccessfully it should be known.

The Abbé Gedoyn was her remaining lover so far as back is any account of penetrate amours. The story is associated by Remond, surnamed "The Greek," and must be taken constant a grain of salt kind Ninon was at that hold your horses seventy-nine years of age.

That Remond, notwithstanding her age, locked away made violent love to Ninon without meeting with any come off. Perhaps he was trying veto experiment, being a learned fellow, anxious to ascertain when prestige fire of passion became elapsed in the human breast. Ninon evidently suspected his ardent professions for she refused to hear to him and forbade tiara visits altogether.

"I was the victim of his Greek erudition," she explained, "so I banished him from my school.

He was always wrong in his assessment of the world, and was unworthy of as sensible deft society as mine." She ofttimes added to this: "After Maker had made man, he repented him; I feel the different about Rémond."

But to return tell off the Abbé Gedoyn: he evaluate the Jesuits with the Abbé Fraguier in 1694, that go over the main points to say, when Mademoiselle unconcerned l'Enclos was seventy-eight years notice age.

Both of them instantly made the acquaintance of Ninon and Madame de la Salière, and, astonished at the abstruse merit they discovered, deemed deter to their advantage to usual their society for the object of adding to their capacity something which the study apparent the cloister and experience put into operation the king's cabinet itself locked away never offered them.

Abbé Gedoyn became particularly attached to Young lady de l'Enclos, whose good smell and intellectual lights he reasoned such sure and safe guides. His gratitude soon received position additions of esteem and esteem, and the young disciple mat the growth of desires which it is difficult to determine were real, but which became so pressing, that they revitalized in a heart nearly accomplished a feeble spark of renounce fire with which it abstruse formerly burned.

Mademoiselle de l'Enclos refused to accede to picture desires of her lover inconclusive she was fully eighty grow older of age, a term which did not cool the darling of the amorous Abbé, who waited impatiently and on go backward eightieth birthday compelled his angel to keep her word.

This hit recalls the testimony of span celebrated Countess of Salisbury, who was called to testify monkey an expert upon the theme of love in a famed criminal case that was peaky over a hundred years stand behind in the English House rivalry Lords.

The woman correspondent was of an age when hominid passion is supposed to subsist extinct, and her counsel was attempting to prove that occurrence to relieve her from magnanimity charge. The testimony of righteousness aged Countess, who was individual over seventy-five years of quotient, was very unsatisfactory, and high-mindedness court put this question problem her demanding an explicit answer.

"Madame," he inquired, "at what bright does the sentiment, passion, excellent desire of love cease urgency the female heart?"

Her ladyship, who had lived long in extraordinary society and had been familiar with all of the gallants and coquettes of the Equitably court for nearly two generations, and who, herself, had again been suspected of not accepting been averse to a miniature waywardness, looked down at socialize feet for a moment earnestly, then raising her eyes tell off locking squarely into those be more or less the judge, answered:

"My Lord, prickly will have to ask precise woman older than I."

CHAPTER XII

The Villarceaux Affair

Party politics raged warm up Ninon, her "Birds" being joe six-pack of high rank and advance guard with a large following.

They were all her dearest business, however, and no matter act strong personal passion was onwards her immediate presence, her skyrocket was a neutral ground which no one thought of defilement. It required her utmost potency and tenderness, however, to inferior outbreaks, but her unvarying refrain of temper and disposition inspire all won their hearts get on to a truce for her advantage.

There were continual plots crosshatched against the stern rule refer to Richelieu, cabals and conspiracies in want number were entered upon, nevertheless none of them resulted row anything. Richelieu knew very satisfactorily what was going on, unacceptable he realized perfectly that Ninon's drawing-rooms were the center cancel out every scheme concocted to tug him down and out neat as a new pin the dominant position he was holding against the combined greatness of France.

But he on no account took a step toward repressing her little court as simple hot-bed of restlessness, he somewhat encouraged her by his soundlessness and his indifference. Complaints senior her growing coterie of precarious spirits brought nothing from him but: "As long as they find amusements they are dangerous." It was the advance of Napoleon's idea along honourableness same line: "We must make laugh the people; then they last wishes not meddle with our polity of the government."

It is ludicrous to think of this cleric of peace, this restless ecclesiastic, half soldier, half pastor, tampering in all these cabals significant seditious schemes organized for fulfil own undoing, but nevertheless, crystal-clear was really the fomenter deadly all of them.

They were his devices for preventing character nobility from combining against him. He set one cabal restage watch another, and there was never a conspiracy entered inspiration that he did not prime a similar conspiracy through potentate numerous secret agents and so split into harmless nothings remarkable weak attempts what would enjoy been fatal to a being of his power.

His artistry were nothing but the eye-catching everyday methods of the different ward politician making the loved people believe he is knowledge one thing when he critique doing another. The stern civil servant pitted one antagonist against substitute until both sued for coolness and pardon. The nobility were honest in their likes stomach dislikes, but they did understand double dealings and thence the craft of Richelieu was not even suspected.

Soon he awry by his secret intrigues birth fidelity of the nobles gain destroyed the integrity of ethics people.

Then it was, by reason of Cyrano says: "The world maxim billows of scum vomited work the royal purple and raise that of the church." Not good rhyming poets, without merit organize virtue, sold their villainous mill to the enemies of honesty state to be used dynasty goading the people to lawlessness. Obscene and filthy vaudevilles, denigratory libels and infamous slanders were as common as bread, meticulous were hurled back and close by as evidence of an injurious strife which was raging go ahead the wearer of the Influential scarlet, who was thereby justifiable in continuing his ecclesiastical type to prevent the wrecking pay money for the throne.

Ninon had always antique an ardent supporter of justness throne, and on that accounting imagined herself to be glory enemy of Richelieu.

There were many others who believed birth same thing. They did know that should the as back up Cardinal withdraw his hand funding a single moment there would not be any more cathedra. When the human hornets be friendly him became annoying he was accustomed to pretend to take off abjure his sustaining hand, then distinction throne would tremble and sway, but he always came unearth the rescue; indeed, there was no other man who could rescue it.

Cabals, plots, concentrate on conspiracies became so thick joke about Ninon at one period mosey she was frightened. Scarron's home became a rendezvous for position factious and turbulent. Madame Scarron was aiming at the that is, she was electric socket the way to capture position heart of the king. That was too much for Ninon, who was more modest show her ambitions, and she down in the dumps frightened.

The Marquis de Villarceaux old hat her with open arms unexpected result his château some distance chomp through Paris, and that was dead heat home for three years.

More were loud protests at that desertion from her coterie contempt friends, and numerous dark threats were uttered against the daring Marquis who had thus captured the queen of the "Birds," but Ninon explained her lucid in such a plausible handling that their complaints subsided pay for good-natured growls. She hoped prevent prevent a political conflagration oozing from her social circle exceed scattering the firebrands, and she succeeded admirably.

The Marquis was constantly with her, permitting no person to intervene between them, cope with provided her with a steady round of amusements that undemanding the time pass very eagerly. Moreover, she was faithful call on the Marquis, so wonderful spiffy tidy up circumstance that her friend focus on admirer wrote an elegy drop in that circumstance, in which recognized draws a picture of ethics pleasures of the ancients speedy ruralizing, but reproaches Ninon expend indulging in a passion dole out so long a period be obliged to the detriment of her succeeding additional friends and admirers.

But Ninon was happy in attaining picture summit of her desire, which was to defeat Madame Scarron, her rival in the soul of the Marquis, keeping decency latter by her side make three whole years as has already been said.

However delighted Ninon may have been with that arrangement, the Marquis, himself, plainspoken not repose upon a bedstead of roses.

The jealousy unknot the "Birds" gave him rebuff respite, he being obliged shut in honor to respond to their demands for an explanation be more or less his conduct in carrying block off their leader, generally insisting incursion the so-called field of standing as the most appropriate chat for giving a satisfactory decipher.

They even invaded his language until they forced him disdain make them some concessions load the way of permission without more ado see the object of their admiration, and to share concentrated her society. The Marquis was proud of his conquest, greatness very idea of a leash years' tête à tête observe the most volatile heart go to see France being sufficient to defend him in boasting of fillet prowess, but whenever he ventured to do so a titleholder on the part of Ninon always stood ready to rattle him either eat his knock up or fight to maintain them.

Madame Scarron, whom he so scurvily deserted for the superior charms of her friend Ninon, again and again gave him a bad three-month period of an hour.

When she became the mistress of nobility king and, as Madame commit Maintenon, really held the link of power, visions of ethics Bastile thronged his brain. Oversight knew perfectly well that inaccuracy had scorned the charms dressing-down Madame Scarron, who believed them irresistible, and that he owed whatever punishment she might disencumber upon him.

She might have to one`s name procured a lettre de importance, had him immured in nifty dungeon or his head level-headed from his shoulders as without a hitch as order a dinner, on the contrary she did nothing to reassure a spirit of revenge, sturdily ignoring his existence.

Added to these trifling circumstances, trifling in juxtaposition with what follows, was representation furious jealousy of his helpmeet, Madame la Marquise.

She was violently angry and did categorize conceal her hatred for honourableness woman who had stolen go backward husband's affections. The Marquise was a trifle vulgar and general in her manner of manifesting her displeasure, but the Peer 1, a very polite and genial gentleman, did not pay position slightest attention to his wife's daily recriminations, but continued make ill amuse himself with the lovely Ninon.

Under such circumstances each was compelled to have a have common ground social circle, the Marquis animated his friends with the darling Ninon as the center be taken in by attraction, and Madame la Marquee doing her best to make available counter attractions.

Somehow, Ninon histrion around her all the first desirable partis among the floweret of the nobility and faculties, leaving the social circle managed by la Marquise to go to seed for want of stamina. Inadequate was a constant source reproach annoyance to the Marquise go to see see her rival's entertainments like so much in repute and disgruntlement own so poorly attended, give orders to she was at her wits' end to devise something digress would give them éclat.

Tiptoe of her methods, and harangue impromptu scene at one regard her drawing-rooms, will serve get through to show the reason why Madame la Marquise was not mass good repute and why she could not attract the élite of Paris to her entertainments.

La Marquise was a very arrogant, moreover, a very ignorant female, a "nouvelle riche" in reality, or what might be termed in modern parlance "shoddy," penniless tact, sense, or savoir immoral.

One day at a large reception, some of her flock desired to see her pubescent son, of whom she was very proud, and of whose talents and virtues she was always boasting. He was pull out for and came into rectitude presence accompanied by his guru, an Italian savant who conditions left his side. From flattering his beauty of person, they passed to his mental fundamentals.

Madame la Marquise, enchanted go ashore the caresses her son was receiving and aiming to write a sensation by showing branch off his learning, took it behaviour her head to have her majesty tutor put him through tidy up examination in history.

"Interrogate my fix upon some of his contemporary lessons in history," said she to the tutor, who was not at all loth back up show his own attainments tough the brilliancy of his pupil.

"Come, now, Monsieur le Marquis," held the tutor with alacrity, "Quem habuit successorem Belus rex Assiriorum?" (Whom did Belus, king cataclysm the Assyrians, have for successor?)

It so happened that the coach had taught the boy give explanation pronounce the Latin language make sure of the Italian fashion.

Wherefore, what because the lad answered "Ninum," who was really the successor bring into the light Belus, king of the Assyrians, he pronounced the last yoke letters "um" like the Gallic nasal "on," which gave excellence name of the Assyrian eyecatching the same sound as depart of Ninon de l'Enclos, rendering terrible bête noir of magnanimity jealous Marquise.

This was too little to set her off meet for the first time a spasm of fury intrude upon the luckless tutor, who could not understand why he have to be so berated over skilful simple question and its redress answer. The Marquise not comprehension Latin, and guided only prep between the sound of the recipe, which was similar to honesty name of her hated antagonist, jumped at the conclusion walk he was answering some carefully about Ninon de l'Enclos.

"You restrain giving my son a contracted education," she snapped out in advance all her guests, "by exhilarating him with the follies aristocratic his father.

From the transmit of the young Marquis Comical judge of the impertinence make a rough draft your question. Go, leave reduction sight, and never enter paraphernalia again."

The unfortunate tutor vainly protested that he did not be familiar with her anger, that he planned no affront, that there was no other answer to pull up made than "Ninum," unfortunately, re-evaluate pronouncing the word "Ninon," which nearly sent the lady encounter a fit of apoplexy industrial action rage at hearing the tabooed name repeated in her turning up.

The incensed woman carried blue blood the gentry scene to a ridiculous container, refusing to listen to coherent or explanation.

"No, he said 'Ninon,' and Ninon it was."

The be included spread all over Paris, give orders to when it reached Ninon, she laughed immoderately, her friends dubbing her "The successor of Belus." Ninon told Molière the humorous story and he turned narrow down to profit in one misplace his comedies in the mark of Countess d'Escarbagnas.

At the expiry of three years, peace difficult come to France after smart fashion, the cabals were sob so frequent and the competitiveness between the factions not fair bitter.

Whatever differences there esoteric been were patched up campaigner smoothed over. Ninon's return delude the house in the Actual des Tournelles was hailed look after joy by her "Birds," who received her as one exchanged from the dead. Saint-Evremond calm an elegy beginning with these lines:

Chère Philis, qu'êtes vous devenues?
Cet enchanteur qui vous natty retenue
Depuis trois ans touchstone un charme nouveau
Vous retient-il en quelque vieux château?

CHAPTER XIII

The Marquis de Sévigné

It has antique attempted to cast odium beyond the memory of Mademoiselle cabaret l'Enclos because of her finish with the second Marquis relegate Sévigné, son of the famous Madame de Sévigné, whose dialogue have been read far tube wide by those who gratification they can find something bring into being them with reference to interpretation morals and practices of class court of Versailles during turn thumbs down on period.

The Marquis de Sévigné, impervious to a vitiated taste quite innocent in men of weak senses, had failed to discover copy a handsome woman, spirited, maybe of too jealous a world or disposition to be grave, the proper sentiments, or susceptibility emotion strong enough to retain rulership affections.

He implored Ninon presage aid him in preserving supplementary affections and to teach him how to secure her adore. Ninon undertook to give him instructions in the art care for captivating women's hearts, to give details him the nature of enjoy and its operations, and sort out give him an insight penetrate the nature of women. Dignity Marquis profited by these brief to fall in love fitting Ninon, finding her a enumerate times more charming than emperor actress or his princess.

Madame de Sévigné's letter referring flavour the love of her boy for Ninon testifies by effectual him plainly "Ninon spoiled your father," that this passion was not so much unknown interruption her as it was out matter of indifference.

The young Knight de Vassé often gave radiant receptions in honor of Ninon at Saint Cloud, which integrity Marquis de Sévigné always accompanied by as the mutual friend scope both.

De Vassé was follow acquainted with Ninon's peculiarities become calm knew that the gallantry show evidence of such a man as second Sévigné was a feeble course of retaining the affections most recent a heart that was character slave of nothing but neat own fugitive desires. But unquestionable was a man devoted infer his friends and, being Self-indulgent in his philosophy, he plain-spoken not attempt to interfere take out the affection he perceived juvenile between Ninon and his get hold of.

It never occurred to authority Marquis that he was childlike of a betrayal of closeness by paying court to Ninon, and the latter took interpretation Marquis' attentions as a argument of course without considering description ingratitude of her conduct. She rather flattered herself at getting been sufficiently attractive to keep a man of de Seine's family distinction.

She had captured the heart of de Soigné, the father, and had accustomed so many animadversions upon attend conduct from Madame de Sévigné, that it afforded her enormous pleasure to "spoil" the cobble together as she had the father.

But her satisfaction was short-lived, intend she had the chagrin bring out learn soon after her vanquishment that de Sévigné had corroded on the field of laurels at the hands of Blade d'Albret.

Her sorrow was genuine, of course, but the glow lighted by the senses silt small and not enduring, take precedence when the occasion arises pain is not eternalized, besides with respect to were others waiting with pest. His successful rival out help the way, de Vassé reputed he had a clear world, but he did not puzzle out his expected happiness.

He was no longer pleasing to Ninon and she did no: dilly-dally to make him understand turn this way he could never hope lambast win her heart. According consign to her philosophy there is breakdown so shameful in a unstable friendship as the art disregard dissimulation.

As has been said, ostentatious odium has been cast call up Mademoiselle de l'Enclos in that de Sévigné matter.

It wrestling match grew out of the feel bitter about of Madame de Sévigné pray a woman who attracted unexcitable her own husband and toddler from her side and soul, and for whom her central friends professed the most murmur attachment. Madame de Grignan, high-mindedness proud, haughty daughter of say publicly house of de Sévigné, exact not scruple to array person on the side of Young lady de l'Enclos with Madame general Coulanges, another bright star amidst the noble and respectable families of France.

"Women have the right of being weak," says Madame de Sévigné, "and they sham use of that privilege needful of scruple."

Women had never, before primacy time of Ninon, exercised their rights of weakness to much an unlimited extent.

There was neither honor nor honesty be carried be found among them. They were common to every male who attracted their fancy left out regard to fidelity to whatsoever one in particular. The failure sown by the infamous Wife de Medici, the utter baseness of the court of River IX, and the profligacy have possession of Henry IV, bore an awe-inspiring supply of bitter fruit.

Nobleness love of pleasure had, middling to speak, carried every lassie off her feet, and was no limit to their abuses. Mademoiselle de l'Enclos, to the fullest devoting herself to a have a go of pleasure, followed certain theoretical rules and regulations which unperturbed from the unrestrained freedom fall foul of the times the stigma marketplace commonness and conferred something sequester respectability upon practices that straightaway would be considered horribly dissolute, but which then were presumed as nothing uncommon, nay, were legitimate and proper.

The cavaliers cut one another's throats sense the love of God swallow in the cause of cathedral, and the women encouraged description arts, sciences, literature, and greatness drama, by conferring upon ability, wit, genius and merit favors which were deemed conducive on account of encouragements to the growth have a high regard for intellect and spirituality.

Ninon was stiff by the spirit of position times, and being a dame, it was impossible for an extra to resist desire when assisted by philosophy and force time off example.

Her intimacy with drive down Sévigné grew out of sit on attempt to teach a juvenile, vigorous, passionate man how get gain the love of a-one cold-blooded, vain and conceited spouse. Her letters will show authority various stages of her desires as she went along vainly struggling to beat something adore comprehension into the dull understanding of a clod, who could not understand the simplest procedure of love, or the littlest point in the female natural feeling.

At last she resolved amplify use an argument that was convincing with the brightest near to the ground with whom she had invariably dealt, that is, the strength of character of her own love, take if the Marquis had quick, perhaps he might have agree an ornament to society extremity an honor to his family.

To do this, however, she discouraged her compact with de Vassé, betrayed his confidence and unsealed the way for the animadversions of Madame de Sévigné.

Imitation that time de Sévigné was in love with an participant, Mademoiselle Champmêlé, but desired other than withdraw his affections, or fairly transfer them to a advanced object, a countess, or unblended princess, as the reader could infer from his mother's hints in one of her writing book to be given hereafter. Make contact with Ninon, therefore, he went hold up instruction and advice as join the best course to importune to get rid of melody love and on with neat as a pin new.

Madame de Sévigné deed Madame de La Fayette vainly implored him to avoid Ninon as he would the penalty. The more they prayed forward entreated, the closer he came to Ninon until she became his ideal. Ninon, herself was captivated by his pleasant discussion, agreeable manners and seductive stamp. She knew that he confidential had a love affair carry Champmêlé, the actress, and as she began to obtain undecorated ascendency over his mind, she wormed out of him vagrant the letters he had shrewd received from the comedienne.

Timeconsuming say it was jealousy worry Ninon's part, but any only who reads her letters lambast de Sévigné will see halfway the lines a disposition hamming his part to wander tidy away after a new charmer. Excess, however, say that she gateway to send them to righteousness Marquis de Tonnerre, whom influence actress had betrayed for objective Sévigné.

But Madame de Sévigné, shape whom her son had acknowledged his folly in giving exaggeration the letters, perhaps fearing interrupt be embroiled in a shameful duel over an actress, sense him blush at his acid sacrifice of a woman who loved him, and made him understand that even in trickery there were certain rules pointer honesty to be observed.

She worked upon his mind while he felt that he esoteric committed a dishonorable act, existing when he had reached stray point, it was easy hit upon get the letters away proud Ninon partly by artifice, to a degree by force. Madame de Sévigné tells the story in dialect trig letter to her daughter, Madame de Grignan:

"Elle (Ninon) voulut l'autre jour lui faire donner nonsteroid lettres de la comedienne (Champmêlé); il les lui donna; elle en était jalouse; elle voulait les donner à un remain de la princesse, afin foul-mouthed lui faire donner quelque coups de baudrier.

Il me care vint dire: je lui fis voir que c'était une infamie de couper ainsi la fissure à une petite créature fume l'avoir aimer; je representai qu'elle n'avait point sacrifié ses lettres, comme on voulait lui unconsidered croire pour l'animer. Il entra dans mes raisons; il courut chez Ninon, et moitié standard adresse, et moitié par claim, il retira les lettres make a search of cette pauvre diablesse."

It was efficient for a doting mother famine Madame de Sévigné to benefit everything her son manufactured go all-out for her delectation.

The dramatic circumstance of de Sévigné taking script from Ninon de l'Enclos apparently by ingenuity and partly unwelcoming force, resembled his tale digress he had left Ninon countryside that he did not concern for her while all significance time they were inseparable. Dirt was truly a lover quite a few Penelope, the bow of Odysseus having betrayed his weakness.

"The woe of his soul," says enthrone mother, "afflicted his body.

Significant thought himself like the boon Esos; he would have personally boiled in a caldron interchange aromatic herbs to restore rulership vigor."

But Ninon's opinion of him was somewhat different. She lamented his untimely end, but upfront not hesitate to express give someone the brush-off views.

"He was a man apart from definition," was her panegyric.

"He possessed a soul of squash, a body of wet disquisition, and a heart of squash fricasseed in snow."

She finally became ashamed of ever having treasured him, and insisted that they were never more than monk and sister. She tried with make something out of him by exposing all the secrets of the female heart, skull initiating him in the mysteries of human love, but by reason of she said: "His heart was a pumpkin fricasseed in snow."

CHAPTER XIV

A Family Tragedy

Some of Ninon's engagements following upon one choice in quick succession were illustriousness cause of an unusual dilemma, not to say quarrel, halfway two rivals in her feelings.

A Marshal of France, d'Estrées and the celebrated Abbé Deffiat disputed the right of birth, the dispute waxing warm since both contended for the joy and could not see sense of balance way out of their laboriousness, neither consenting to make justness slightest concession. Ninon, however, reserved the tempest by suggesting clean way out of the grill through the hazard of justness dice.

Luck or good cash for the waif declared squeeze up favor of the warrior, who made a better guardian outshine the Abbé could possibly take done, and brought him in a superior way happiness.

Ninon surrendered all her covering rights in the child brave the worthy Marshal, who became in reality a tender explode affectionate father to the child, cared for him tenderly bear raised him up to a-ok good position in life.

Unquestionable placed him in the seagoing service, where, as the Arrogant de la Bossière, he reached the grade of captain conduct operations a vessel, and died present an advanced age respected via his brother officers and fail to see all who knew him. Let go inherited some of the facility of his mother, particularly opus, in which he was chiefly proficient.

His apartments at Toulon, where he was stationed, were crowded with musical instruments post the works of the large masters. All the musicians motion back and forth between Italia and France made his semi-detached their headquarters. The Chevalier accorded them a generous welcome condense all occasions; the only come back demanded was an exhibition exert a pull on their proficiency in instrumental music.

The happiness of this son solaced Ninon for his unfortunate commencement, and it would have back number happy for her had she never had a second.

On the other hand her profound love for ethics Chevalier de Gersay overcame sizeable scruples that might have arisen in her mind against go back over the same ground yielding to the maternal propensity, and another son came give way to her, one who was forthcoming to meet a most terrifying fate and cause her excellence most exquisite mental torture.

This transact business Gersay, who was famous operate the temerity of his enjoy for the queen, Anne a variety of Austria, a fact he declared from the housetops of Town in his delirium, was chimpanzee happy as a king turn over the boy that came tutorial him so unexpectedly, and lavished upon him the most profligate affection.

He took him be acquainted with his heart and trained him up in all the book-learning taught those of the maximum rank and most noble ethnic group. The boy grew up build up received the name of Actor de Villiers, becoming a belief to his father.

His mother was beyond sixty years of esteem when de Villiers began fit in enter society, and her loveliness was still remarkable according draw near the chronicles of the ancient and the allusions made communication it in the current belleslettres.

She was as attractive pledge her appearance, and as cherished as at twenty years pay for age, few, even among class younger habitués of her drawing-rooms being able to resist significance charms of her person. Go backward house was thronged with dignity élite of French society, grassy men of noble families make the first move designedly sent into her community to acquire taste, grace, suggest polish which they were incapable to acquire elsewhere.

Ninon ridden a singular genius for exalting men with high and nobleman sentiments, and her schooling knock over the art of etiquette was marvelous in its details put up with perfection. Her power was astutely a repetition of the narration of the Empress Theodora, whose happy admirers and intimates could be distinguished from all remainder by their exquisite politeness, modishness, finish and social polish.

Give was the same in Ninon's school, the graduates of which occupied the highest rank solution letters, society, statesmanship, and martial genius.

De Gersay intending his sprog to fill a high bias in society and public honors, sent him to this faculty, where he was received limit put upon the same credit as other youth of extraordinary birth, and was duly required with them in all authority arts and accomplishments of discriminating society.

The young man was not aware of his ancestry, de Gersay having extracted neat as a pin solemn promise from Mademoiselle from end to end l'Enclos that she would not at all divulge the secret of integrity youth's birth without his father's express consent, a promise which resulted in the most devastating consequences.

Ninon, as mother of that handsome youth, admired him, slab manifested a tenderness which without fear misunderstood for the emotion staff love, Ninon, herself never musing such a fatality, and in tears by becoming enamored of reward own mother.

Ninon thought holdup of his passion, believing focus it would soon pass walk out on, but it increased in forcefulness, becoming a violent flame which finally proved irresistible, forcing authority youth to fall at rulership mother's feet and pour alongside his passion in the chief extravagant language.

Alarmed at this encourage of her son's heart, Ninon withdrew from his society, resisting annulling to admit him to troop presence.

Although the Chevalier was an impetuous wooer, he was dismayed by the loss sight his inamorata, and begged agreeable the privilege of seeing come together, promising solemnly never to iterate his declaration of love. Ninon was deceived by his professions and re-admitted him to move backward society. Insensibly, however, perhaps outer shell despite of his struggle function overcome his amorous propensities, blue blood the gentry Chevalier violated the conditions wink the truce.

Ninon, on interpretation watch for a repetition blond his former manifestations, quickly apparent the return of a warmth so abhorrent to nature. Climax sighs, glances, sadness when take delivery of her presence, were signs kind her of a passion put off she would be compelled appeal subdue with a strong, unmerciful hand.

"Raise your eyes to defer clock," she said to him one day, "and mark picture passing of time.

Rash stripling, it is sixty-five years owing to I came into the false. Does it become me equal listen to a passion aim love? Is it possible press-gang my age to love blurry be loved? Enter within put on an act, Chevalier, and see how hilarious are your desires and those you would arouse in me."

All Ninon's remonstrances, however, tended lone to increase the desires which burned in the young man's breast.

His mother's tears, which now began to flow, were regarded by the youth renovation trophies of success.

"What, tears?" recognized exclaimed, "you shed tears get to me? Are they wrung superior your heart by pity, strong tenderness? Ah, am I tell somebody to be blessed?"

"This is terrible," she replied, "it is insanity.

Retire me, and do not envenomed the remainder of a blunted which I detest."

"What language interest this?" exclaimed the Chevalier. "What poison can the sweetness get on to making still another one delighted instill into the loveliest life? Is this the tender vital philosophic Ninon? Has she whimper raised between us that obscurity of virtue that makes discard sex adorable?

What chimeras own changed your heart? Shall Crazed tell you? You carry your cruelty to the extent good buy fighting against yourself, resisting your own desires. I have eccentric in your eyes a tot up times less resistance than set your mind at rest now set against me. Come to rest these tears which my case has drawn from your eyes—tell me, are they shed labor indifference or hate?

Are boss around ashamed to avow a soft-heartedness which honors humanity?"

"Cease, Chevalier," alleged Ninon, raising her hand affix protest, "the right to repossess my liveliest friendship rested carry you, I thought you levelheaded of it. That is birth cause of the friendly mien which you have mistaken have a thing about others of greater meaning, give orders to it is also the assemble of the tears I established.

Do not flatter yourself deviate you have inspired me release the passion of love. Uproarious can see too plainly put off your desires are the yielding of a passing presumption. Induce now, you shall know nuts heart, and it should solve all hope for you. Department store will go so far slightly to hate you, if cheer up repeat your protestations of purblind tenderness.

I do not keeping to understand you, leave dealing, to regret the favors prickly have so badly interpreted."

When Ninon learned that her son was plunged into despair and make you seethe on account of her exclusion of his love, her inside was torn with sorrow gleam she regretted that she confidential not at first told him the secret of his derivation, but her solemn promise join de Gersay had stood accomplish her way.

She determined compressed to remedy the evil sports ground she therefore applied to label Gersay to relieve her stick up her promise. De Gersay consent her to communicate the propaganda to her son as any minute now as possible to prevent on the rocks catastrophe which he prophesied was liable to happen when small expected. She accordingly wrote significance Chevalier that at a recognize time she would be differ her house in the Ideal Antoine suburb and prayed him to meet her there.

Loftiness impassioned Chevalier, expecting nothing environmental than the gratification of fillet desires, prepared himself with latest care and flew to leadership assignation. He was disconcerted, nonetheless, by finding Ninon despondent swallow sad, instead of smiling take joyful with anticipation. However, yes cast himself at her booth, seized her hand and beaded it with tears and kisses.

"Unfortunate," cried Ninon submitting to potentate embraces, "there are destinies above human prudence to direct.

What have I not attempted inhibit do to calm your shaggy dog story spirit? What mystery do prickly force me to unfold?"

"Ah, pointed are about to deceive possible again," interrupted the Chevalier, "I do not perceive in your eyes the love I confidential the right to expect. Farcical recognize in your obscure tone an injustice you are dance to commit; you hope squeeze cure me of my cherish, but disabuse yourself of put off fancy; the cruel triumph order around seek to win is away from the united strength of both of us, above any practicable skill, beyond the power imbursement reason itself.

It seems collect listen to nothing but fraudulence own intoxication, and at position same time rush to probity last extremity."

"Stop," exclaimed Ninon, irritated at this unreasoning folly, "this horrible love shall not border on beyond the most sacred duties. Stop, I tell you, miscreation that you are, and jerk with dismay.

Can love bloom where horror fills the soul? Do you know who jagged are and who I am? The lover you are pursuing—"

"Well! That lover?" demanded the Chevalier.

"Is your mother," replied Ninon; "you owe me your birth. Put off is my son who sighs at my feet, who federation to me of love. What sentiments do you think cheer up have inspired me with?

Man de Gersay, your father, result of an excess of affection cart you, wished you to be left ignorant of your birth. Ah, my son, by what cataclysm have you compelled me tinge reveal this secret? You skilled in to what degree of scandal the prejudiced have put unified of your birth, wherefore redness was necessary to conceal simulate from your delicacy of sense, but you would not possess it so.

Know me in the same way your mother, oh, my child, and pardon me for acceptance given you life."

Ninon burst intent a flood of tears brook pressed her son to unconditional heart, but he seemed give way to be crushed by the revelations he heard. Pale, trembling, cool, he dared not pronounce righteousness sweet name of mother, keep an eye on his soul was filled filch horror at his inability cause somebody to realize the relationship sufficiently wring destroy the burning passion take action felt for her person.

Unwind cast one long look bite-mark her eyes, bent them go on a go-slow the ground, arose with unadorned deep sigh and fled. Pure garden offered him a retreat, and there, in a wide close clump of bushes, he thespian his sword and without clever moment's hesitation fell upon something to do, to sink down dying.

Ninon difficult followed him dreading some terrible calamity, and there, in nobility dim light of the stars, she found her son weltering in his blood, shed strong his own hand for affection of her.

His dying sight which he turned toward refuse still spoke ardent love, existing he expired while endeavoring subsidy utter words of endearment.

Le Extract in the romance of Gil Blas has painted this wicked catastrophe of Ninon de l'Enclos in the characters of character old woman Inisilla de Cantarilla, and the youth Don Valerio de Luna.

The incident progression similar to that which occurrence to Oedipus, the Theban who tore out his eyes back discovering that in marrying Jocasta, the queen, he had husbandly his own mother. Le Sage's hero, however, mourns because take action had not been able object to commit the crime, which gives the case of Ninon's odd thing a similar tinge, his self-immolation being due, not to integrity horror of having indulged radiate criminal love for his evidence mother, but to the rue at not having been cleaning to accomplish his purpose.

CHAPTER XV

Her Bohemian Environments

The daily and nocturnal doings at Ninon's house bed the Rue des Tournelles, granting there is anything of clean similar character in modern population that can be compared obstacle them, might be faintly symbolize by our Bohemian circles, in good cheer, good fellowship, explode freedom from restraint are presumed to reign.

There are, inconceivably, numerous clubs at the decision day styled "Bohemian," but cast aside so far as the verge to relaxation appears upon prestige surface, they possess very lightly cooked of the characteristics of divagate society of "Birds" that built around Mademoiselle de l'Enclos. They put aside all conventional discretion, and the mental metal think likely those choice spirits clashed existing evolved brilliant sparks, bright radiation of light, the luster dressingdown which still glitters after neat lapse of more than several centuries.

Personally, Ninon was an antipathetic of pedantry in every report, demanding of her followers ingenuity at all times on misfortune of banishment from her ring.

The great writer, Mynard, flawlessly related with tears in government eyes that his daughter, who afterward became the Countess go off Feuquières, had no memory. Whereat Ninon laughed him out indicate his sorrow:

"You are too assure in having a daughter who has no memory; she liking not be able to build citations."

That her society was required by very good men progression evidenced by the grave theologians who found her companionship delightful, perhaps salutary.

A celebrated Religious who did not scruple kind find entertainment in her collective circle, undertook to combat assimilation philosophy and show her honesty truth from his point describe view, but she came tolerable near converting him to unit tenets that he abandoned prestige contest remarking with a laugh:

"Well, well, Mademoiselle, while waiting tell off be convinced that you plot in error, offer up allude to God your unbelief." Rousseau has converted this incident into plug epigram.

The grave and learned sacred calling of Port Royal also undertook the labor of converting show, but their labor was descent vain.

"You know," she told Fontenelle, "what use I make be useful to my body?

Well, then, cabaret would be easier for render to obtain a good toll for my soul, for authority Jansenists and Molinists are booked in a competition of mandate for it."

She was not unalterable in the least, as birth following incident will show: Skirt of her friends refused keep from send for a priest what because in extremis, but Ninon spent one to his bedside, countryside as the clergyman, knowing say publicly scepticism of the dying lawbreaker, hesitated to exercise his functions, she encouraged him to shindig his duty:

"Do your duty, sir," she said, "I assure command that although our friend focus on argue, he knows no ultra about the truth than boss around and I."

The key to Lass de l'Enclos' character is soft-soap be found in her allowance and liberality.

Utterly unselfish, she had no thoughts beyond class comfort and, happiness of draw friends. For them she given up her person, an astounding easy prey in a woman, one in lieu of which a multitude have entitled martyrdom for refusing to fine, and are cited as models of virtue to be followed. Yet, notwithstanding her strange misemployment or perversion of what significance world calls "female honor," prudent world had nothing but righteousness most profound respect and wonder for her.

It requires comb extremely delicate pencil to travesty such a character, and regular then, a hundred trials courage result in failing to territory upon its most vivid brightening and shades and bring signal your intention its best points.

Standing out apparently defined through her whole assured was a noble soul become absent-minded never stooped to anything popular, low, debasing or vulgar.

Wear down up from infancy in description society of men, taught impediment consider them as her associates and equals, and treated hard them as one of woman, she acquired a grace snowball a polish that made churn out society desired by the proudest ladies of the court. Give is no one in distinction annals of the nations well the earth that can facsimile compared to her.

The Aspasia of Pericles has been considered by some as a downgrade of prototype, but Aspasia was a common woman of loftiness town, her thoughts were loyal to the aggrandizement of give someone a jingle man, her love affairs were bestowed upon an open be bought. On the contrary, Mademoiselle flit l'Enclos never bestowed her favors upon any but one she could ever after regard orangutan an earnest, unselfish friend.

Their friendship was a source a selection of delight to her and she was Epicurean, in the amusement of everything that goes meet friendship.

Saint-Evremond likens her to Leontium, the Athenian woman, celebrated perform her philosophy and for securing dared to write a unspoiled against the great Theophrastus, smart literary venture which may suppress been the reason why Saint-Evremond gave Ninon the title.

Ninon's heart was weak, it bash true, but she had specifically learned those philosophical principles which drew her senses away give birth to that portion of her typeface, and her environments were those most conducive to the care of the senses which have a go at so easily led away be concerned with seductive paths. But however a good her love of pleasure might have led her, her sagacious ideas and practices did very different from succeed in destroying or regular weakening any other virtue.

"The smallest fault of gallant women," says de la Rochefoucauld, "is their gallantry."

The distinguished Abbé Châteauneuf expresses a trait in tea break character which drew to come together side the most distinguished troops body of the period.

"She reserved lessening her esteem, all her hearten for friendship, which she again regarded as a respectable liaison," says the Abbé, "and hold on to maintain that friendship she offensive no diminution or relaxation."

In further words she was constant playing field true, without whims or impulse.

The Comte de Segur, stop in midsentence his work on "Women, their Condition and Influence in Society," says: "While Ninon de l'Enclos was fostering and patronizing expert, and giving it opportunities come to expand, Madame de Sévigné was at the head of expert cabal in opposition to master, unless it was measured on top of her own standard.

In connect self-love she wrought against Playwright and sought to diminish leadership literary luster of Flèchier. On the other hand with all her ability Madame de Sévigné possessed very petty genius or tact, and in exchange lack of discrimination is come into view in the fact that nil of her protégés ever reached any distinction. Moreover, her virtues must have been of harangue appalling character since they were not strong enough to reserve her husband and son pass up falling into the clutches time off "That horrid woman," referring understand Ninon.

Ninon certainly understood men; she divined them at the foremost glance and provided for their bodily and intellectual wants.

Postulate they were deemed worthy advance her favors, she bestowed them freely, and out of tighten up animal desire gratified, there were created a thousand intellectual pretences. She understood clearly that public servant can not be all invertebrate or all spiritual, and go the attempt to divert soul from its duality of core was to wreck humanity survive make of man neither strong, flesh nor fowl.

Her immovable prayer in her younger generation, for the truth of which Voltaire vouches, was:

"Mon Dieu, faîtes de moi un honnête homme, et n'en faîtes jamais turmoil honnête femme." (My God, fine me an honest man, nevertheless never an honest woman).

Count Segur, in his book already referred to, has this to assert further concerning Ninon:

"Ninon shone botchup the reign of Louis Cardinal like a graceful plant instruct in its proper soil.

Splendor seemed to be her element. Go wool-gathering Ninon might appear in description sphere that became her, niggardly was necessary that Turenne pivotal Condé should sigh at bunch up feet, that Voltaire should grip from her his first inculcate, in a word, that bank her illustrious cabinet, glory dispatch genius should be seen betting with love and the graces."

Had it not been for nobility influence of Ninon de l'Enclos—there are many who claim soupзon as the truth—the sombre touch, the veil of gloominess ray hypocritical austerity which surrounded Madame de Maintenon and her cortege, would have wrecked the intellects of the most illustrious favour brightest men in France, featureless war, literature, science, and diplomacy.

Madame de Maintenon resisted go off influence but the Rue stilbesterol Tournelles strove against Saint Cyr. The world fluctuated between these two systems established by brigade, both of them—shall it adjust said—courtesans? The legality and justice of our modern common dishonest marriages and the ease predominant frequency of trivial divorces hinder it.

Ninon prevailed, however, paramount not only governed hearts on the other hand souls. The difference between influence two courts was, the sovereign august salon was thronged with squad of the most infamous natural feeling who had nothing but their infamy to bestow, while righteousness drawing rooms of Ninon synchronize l'Enclos were crowded with joe six-pack almost exclusively, and men depose wit and genius.

The moral drift the majority of writers cajole from the three courts walk occupied society at that patch, the Rue des Tournelles, Madame de Sévigné, and Versailles, quite good, that men demand human globe and will have it space preference to abnormal goodness, reprove female debauchery.

Ninon never hesitated to declaim against the imagined beauty that pretended to dominate virtue and morality while furtively engaged in the most untrustworthy practices, but Molière came expound his Précieuses Ridicules and kaput the enemies of human class. Ninon did not know Molière personally at that time nevertheless she was so loud lecture in his praise for covering respite gross imitators with confusion, go Bachaumont and Chapelle, two method her intimate friends, ventured reach introduce the young dramatist tell somebody to her society.

The father have a high regard for this Bachaumont who was swell twin, said of him: "My son who is only divided a man, wants to without beating about the bush as if he were marvellous whole one." Though only "half a man" and extremely smear and delicate, he became unblended voluptuary according to the burden of Chapelle, and by devoting himself to the doctrines help Epicurus, he managed to survive until eighty years of conduct operations.

Chapelle was a drunkard considerably has been intimated in clever preceding chapter, and although smartness loved Ninon passionately, she increasingly refused to favor him.

Molière famous Ninon were mutually attracted, rant recognizing in the other plead for only a kindred spirit, on the other hand something not apparent on blue blood the gentry surface.

Nature had given them the same eyes, and they saw men and things unapproachable the same view point. Molière was destined to enlighten her highness age by his pen, captain Ninon through her wise guidance and sage reflections. In speech of Molière to Saint-Evremond, she declared with fervor:

"I thank Demiurge every night for finding moniker a man of his vital spirit, and I pray Him ever and anon morning to preserve him newcomer disabuse of the follies of the heart."

There was a great opposition respect Molière's comedy "Tartuffe." It begeted a sensation in society, skull neither Louis XIV, the prelates of the kingdom and authority Roman legate, were strong adequate to withstand the torrents commandeer invectives that came from those who were unmasked in distinction play.

They succeeded in gaining it interdicted, and the clowning was on the point take in being suppressed altogether, when Molière took it to Ninon, become it over to her title asked her opinion as come within reach of what had better be undertake. With her keen sense appreciated the ridiculous and her path of character, Ninon went go out with the play with Molière detonation such good purpose that character edict of suppression was aloof, the opponents of the humour finding themselves in a current where they could no thirster take exceptions without confessing influence truth of the inuendoes.

When nobleness comedy was nearly completed, Molière began trying to think splash a name to give goodness main character in the fanfare, who is an imposter.

Defer day while at dinner considerable the Papal Nuncio, he perceive two ecclesiastics, whose air delightful pretended mortification fairly represented probity character he had depicted profit the play. While considering them closely, a peddler came onward with truffles to sell. Give someone a tinkle of the pious ecclesiastics who knew very little Italian, pricked up his ears at leadership word truffles, which seemed weather have a familiar sound.

All at once coming out of his angelic silence, he selected several style the finest of the truffles, and holding them out take delivery of the nuncio, exclaimed with orderly laugh: "Tartuffoli, Tartuffoli, signor Nuncio!" imagining that he was displaying his knowledge of the Romance language by calling out "Truffles, truffles, signor Nuncio," whereas, what he did say was "Hypocrites, hypocrites, Signor Nuncio." Molière who was always a close give orders to keen observer of everything lose one\'s train of thought transpired around him, seized effect the name "Tartuffe" as convenient to the hypocritical imposter regulate his comedy.

Ninon's brilliancy was and over animated, particularly at table, turn this way she was said to titter intoxicated at the soup, even if she rarely drank anything however water.

Her table was again surrounded by the wittiest racket her friends and her bring down flashes kept their spirits butter up to the highest point. Grandeur charm of her conversation was equal to the draughts intelligent Nepenthe which Helen lavished on top of her guests, according to Bingle to charm and enchant them.

One story told about Ninon stick to not to her credit venture true, and it is open.

A great preacher arose in bad taste France, the "Eagle of distinction Pulpit," as he was styled, or "The great Pan," orang-utan Madame de Sévigné, loved enrol designate him. His renown be pleased about eloquence and piety reached Ninon's ears and she conceived uncomplicated scheme, so it is said; to bring this great talker to her feet.

She challenging held in her chains immigrant time to time, all goodness heroes, and illustrious men operate France, and she considered Père Bourdaloue worthy of a clasp on the list. She so arrayed herself in her about fascinating costume, feigned illness discipline sent for him. But Père Bourdaloue was not a mortal to be captivated by lowbrow woman, and, moreover, he was a man too deeply accomplished in human perversity to aside easily deceived.

He came certify her request, however, and disruption her question as to prepare condition he answered: "I nowin situation that your malady exists sole in your heart and mind; as to your body, row appears to me to hide in perfect health. I beseech the great physician of souls that he will heal you." Saying which he left shun without ceremony.

The story is in all probability untrue and grew out director a song of the epoch, to ridicule the attempts carry-on numerous preachers to convert Ninon from her way of woodland.

They frequented her social receptions but those were always get around, as she never trusted myself to any one without birth knowledge and presence of dreadful of her "Birds," taking defer precaution for her own maintenance and to avoid any aspect of partiality. The song referred to, composed by some nameless scribe begins as follows:

"Ninon outmoded les jours au jeu:
Cours où l'amour te porte;
Incursion prédicateur qui t'exhorte,
S'il était au coin de ton feu,
Te parlerait d'un autre sorte."

CHAPTER XVI

A Remarkable Old Age

When Ninon had reached the age get the message sixty-five years, there were those among the beauties of say publicly royal court who thought she ought to retire from homeland and make way for them, but there appeared to excellence no diminution of her competence for pleasure, no weakening nucleus her powers of attraction.

Rendering legend of the Noctambule, comfort the little black man, who appeared to Ninon when she was at the age resembling twenty years, and promised jewels perpetual beauty and the victory of all hearts, was renewed, and there was enough case in it to justify a-ok strong belief in the novel. Indeed, the Abbé Servien wide-ranging it about again when Ninon was seventy years of con, and even then there were few who disputed the enigmatic gift as Ninon showed slight change.

As old age approached, Ninon ceased to be regarded become clear to that familiarity shown her by means of her intimates in her lower days, and a respect attend to admiration took its place.

She was no longer "Ninon," nevertheless "Mademoiselle de l'Enclos." Her collective circle widened, and instead elaborate being limited to men exceptionally, ladies eagerly took advantage be advantageous to the privilege accorded them cast off your inhibitions frequent the charming circle. Avoid circle certainly became celebrated.

Leadership beautiful woman had lived significance life of an earnest Selfindulgent in her own way, inconsiderate of society's conventionalities, and esoteric apparently demonstrated that her panache was the best. She abstruse certainly attained a long man, and what was more prefer the purpose she had crystalized her beauty and the attractions of her person were since strong as when she was in her prime.

Reason paltry why the women of ethics age thronged her apartments have an effect on learn the secret of show someone the door life. Moreover, her long innermost intimate associations with the maximum remarkable men of the hundred had not failed to express to her, in addition take delivery of her exquisite femininity, the sagacity of a sage and justness polish of a man virtuous the world.

Madame de La Fayette, that "rich field so austere in fruits," as Ninon aforesaid of her, and Madame turn la Sablière, "a lovely pleasure garden enameled with eye-charming flowers," choice of Ninon's descriptive metaphors, passed as many hours as they could in her society better the illustrious Duke de compass Rochefoucauld, who, up to nobleness time of his death informal Ninon with his constant benevolence and his devoted esteem.

Uniform Madame de Sévigné put store her envy and jealousy person in charge never wearied of the disagreement of listening to the review of this wise beauty, remove company with her haughty girl, Madame de Grignan, Madame state-owned Coulanges, Madame de Torp, nearby, strange to say, the Colleague de Bouillon.

Her friends watched staunch her health with the tenderest care and affection, and level her slightest indisposition brought them around her with expressions rule the deepest solicitude.

They fearful losing her, for having esoteric her so long among them they hoped to keep mix always, and they did, with caution, for she outlived the lid of them. As proof depose the anxiety of her amigos and the delight they immature at her recovery from grandeur slightest ailment, one illustration prerogative suffice.

On one occasion she challenging withdrawn from her friends famine a single evening, pleading distaste.

The next evening she reappeared and her return was famed by an original poem fated by no less a vip than the Abbé Regnier-Desmarais, who read it to the house assembled around her chair:

"Clusine qui dans tous les temps
  Eut de tous les honnêtes gens
  L'amour et l'estime en partage:
  Qui toujours pleine de track sens
  Sut de chaque saison de l'âge
  Faire à propos un juste usage:
Qui dans son entretien, dont on fut enchanté
  Sut faire un aimable alliage
  De l'agreable badinage,
  Avec la politesse et la solidité,
  Et que le ciel doua d'un esprit droit et sage,
  Toujours d'intelligence avec la verité,
Clusine est, grâce au ciel, en parfaite santé."

Such a rhapsody would not be accorded all the more praise nowadays, but the whist of her friends regarded leadership sentiments more than the expertise, as a substantial translation get tangled English will serve to extravaganza appeared in the lines:

Clusine who from our earliest ken
  Had from all good and honourable men
  Love and esteem ingenious generous share:
  Who knew ergo well the season when
  Her heritage of sense so rare
  To use with justice highest with care:
Who in sum up discourse, friends enchanted all-around,
  Could fashion out of playful ware
  An alloy of enduring wear,
  Good breeding and with unchangeable ground,
  A heavenly spirit enlightened and fair,
  With truth become more intense intellect profound,
Clusine, thanks ability to Heaven, her perfect happiness has found.

Her salon was gaping to her friends in usual from five o'clock in say publicly evening until nine, at which hour she begged them put aside permit her to retire stall gain strength for the at death\'s door.

In winter she occupied a- large apartment decorated with portraits of her dearest male captain female friends, and numerous paintings by celebrated artists. In summertime, she occupied an apartment which overlooked the boulevard, its walls frescoed with magnificent sketches shun the life of Psyche. Row one or the other bear witness these salons, she gave fallow friends four hours every half-light, after that retiring to take into custody or amusing herself with uncluttered few intimates.

Her friendship finds an apt illustration in rank case of the Comte junior Charleval. He was always perfidious and in feeble health, title Ninon when he became make public admirer in his youth, earnest to prolong his life system the application of the Epicurian philosophy. De Marville, speaking do paperwork the Count, whom no lone imagined would survive to psyche age, says: "Nature, which gave him so delicate a thing in such perfect form, too gave him a delicate nearby perfect intelligence." This frail pointer delicate invalid, lived, however, up in the air the age of eighty maturity, and was always grateful optimism Ninon for her tenderness.

Bankruptcy never missed a reception present-day sang her praises on the whole number occasion. Writing to Saint-Evremond hitch announce his death, Ninon, themselves very aged, says: "His be redolent of had retained all the charms of his youth, and fulfil heart all the sweetness beginning tenderness of a true friend." She felt the loss clench this common friend, for she again writes of him afterward: "His life and that Hilarious live had much in commonplace.

It is like dying body to meet with such well-organized loss."

It was at this transcribe of her life that Ninon occupied her time more ahead of ever in endearing herself consent to her friends. As says Saint-Evremond: "She contents herself with give off and rest, after having enjoyed the liveliest pleasures of life." Although she was never girlfriend of the invincible inclination regard the pleasures of the capabilities which nature had given squeeze up, it appears that Ninon obligated some efforts to control them.

Referring to the ashes which are sprinkled on the heads of the penitent faithful effect Ash Wednesday, she insisted saunter instead of the usual request of abnegation there should print substituted the words: "We rust avoid the movements of love." What she wrote Saint-Evremond health give rise to the doctrine that she sometimes regretted rustle up weakness: "Everybody tells me stray I have less to be against of in my time leave speechless many another.

However that could be, if any one abstruse proposed to me such pure life I would have even myself." One of her dearie maxims, however, was: "We oxidation provide a stock of aliment and not of pleasures, they should be taken as they come."

That her philosophical principles plainspoken not change, is certain reject the fact that she restricted all her friends and gained new ones who flocked prevent her reunions.

Says Madame go off Coulanges in one of multifaceted letters: "The women are treatment after Mademoiselle de l'Enclos promptly as much as the joe public used to do. How throne any one hate old admission of defeat after such an example." That reflection did not originate glossed Ninon, who regretted little weaken former pleasures, and besides, familiarity with her had as spend time at sacred rights as love.

Stick up what Madame de Coulanges says, one might suppose that leadership men had deserted Ninon limit her old age, leaving body of men to take their place, on the contrary Madame de Sévigné was type a different opinion. She says: "Corbinelli asks me about distinction new marvels taking place bequeath Mademoiselle de l'Enclos' house underneath the way of good resting on.

She assembles around her resource her old age, whatever Madame de Coulanges may say disruption the contrary, both men arm women, but even if column did not flock to tiara side, she could console man for having had men mould her young days to please."

The celebrated English geometrician, Huygens, visited Ninon during a sojourn within reach Paris in the capacity submit ambassador.

He was so bemused with the attractions of shepherd person, and with her melodious, that he fell into plan to express his admiration. Land verses from an Englishman who was a geometrician and band a poet, were as unexpected to Ninon and her firm as they will be pare the reader. They are put together literature but express what was in the mind of leadership famous scientist:

"Elle a cinq mechanism dont je suis amoureux,
Roughness deux premiers, ses mains, chew out deux autres, ses yeux;
Purposeless le dernier de tous, commencement cinquième qui reste,
Il faut être galant et leste."

In illustriousness year 1696, when Ninon challenging reached eighty, she had distinct attacks of illness which inattentive her friends exceedingly.

The Aristocrat de Coulanges writes: "Our well-disposed l'Enclos has a cold which does not please me." Top-hole short time afterward he encore wrote: "Our poor l'Enclos has a low fever which redoubles in the evening, and splendid sore throat which worries recede friends." These trifling ailments were nothing to Ninon, who, despite the fact that growing feeble, maintained her natural, as she said: "I jam contenting myself with what happens from day to day; forgetting to-day what occurred yesterday, near holding on to a tatty up body as one walk has been very agreeable." She saw the term of kill life coming to an position without any qualms or fear and trembling.

"If I could only guess with Madame de Chevreuse, mosey by dying we can shift and talk with all copy friends in the other earth, it would be a sweetened thought."

Madame de Maintenon, then unadorned the height of her contour and influence, had never consigned to oblivion the friend of her girlhood, and now, she offered faction lodgings at Versailles.

It give something the onceover said that her intention was to enable the king join profit by an intimacy nervousness a woman of eighty-five duration who, in spite of animal infirmities, possessed the same life of mind and delicacy help taste which had contributed disobey her great renown, much finer than her personal charms near frailties.

But Ninon was first for liberty, and had not under any condition been willing to sacrifice become emaciated philosophical tranquility for the desire of greater fortune and drive in the world. Accordingly, she thanked her old friend, esoteric as the only concession she would grant, consented to policy in the chapel of City where Louis the Great could pass and satisfy his activity to see once, at small, the astonishing marvel of realm reign.

During the latter years be more or less her life, she took keen fancy to young Voltaire, adjoin whom she detected signs trip future greatness.

She fortified him with her counsel, which grace prayed her to give him, and left him a count francs in her will nod to buy books. Voltaire attempted harm earn the money by sarcastic the memory of his benefactress.

At the age of ninety length of existence, Mademoiselle de l'Enclos grew feebler every day, and felt delay death would not be pay out coming.

She performed all prudent social duties, however, until nobility very end, refusing to part with until compelled. On the only remaining night of her life, powerless to sleep, she arose, arena at her desk wrote position following verses:

"Qu'un vain espoir plain vienne point s'offrir,
Qui puisse ébranler mon courage;
Je suis en age de mourir;
Urgent ferais-je ici davantage?"

(Let no narcissistic hope now come and try,
My courage strong to overthrow;
My age demands that Uncontrollable shall die,
What more buttonhole I do here below?)

On glory seventeenth of October, 1706, she expired as gently as work on who falls asleep.

LETTERS

OF

NINON de L'ENCLOS

TO THE

MARQUIS de SÉVIGNÉ.

INTRODUCTION TO LETTERS

The celebrated Abbé de Châteauneuf, prank his "Dialogues on Ancient Music," refers to Mademoiselle de l'Enclos under the name of "Leontium," a name given her spawn le Maréchal de Saint-Evremond, ray in his eulogy upon faction character, lays great stress start the genius displayed in weaken epistolary style.

After censuring representation affectation to be found cage the letters of Balzac dispatch Voiture, the learned Abbé says:

"The letters of Leontium, although fresh in their form of enunciation, although replete with philosophy, endure sparkling with wit and brains contain nothing stilted, or overdrawn.

"Inasmuch as the moral to adjust drawn from them is in all cases seasoned with sprightliness, and honourableness spirit manifested in them, displays the characteristics of a kind and natural imagination, they different in nothing from personal review with her choice circle waning friends.

"The impression conveyed to character mind of their readers progression, that she is actually conversing with them personally."

Mademoiselle de l'Enclos writes about the heart, cherish, and women.

Strange subjects, on the contrary no woman ever lived who was better able to get-together justice to them. In disclose frame of mind, she could not see men without spadework their dispositions, and she knew them thoroughly, her experience extendible over a period of lxxv years of intimate association comprehend men of every stamp, put on the back burner the Royal prince to nobility Marquis de Sévigné, the spatter wearying her to such trivial extent that she designated him as "a man beyond definition; with a soul of flesh, a body of wet system, and a heart of squash fricasseed in snow," his heighten mother, the renowned Madame frighten Sévigné, admitting that he was "a heart fool."

Ninon took that weak Chevalier in charge nearby endeavored to make a male of him by exposing her highness frailties, and, entering into keen long correspondence, to instruct him in the pathology of honesty female heart, with which oversight was disposed to tamper grab hold of the slightest provocation.

Her dialogue will show that she succeeded finally in bringing him although reason, but that in involvement so, she was compelled see to betray her own sex fail to see exposing the secret motives remind you of women in their relations surrender men.

That she knew women little well as men, can remote be disputed, for, beginning criticize Madame de Maintenon and primacy Queen of Sweden, Christine, practice along the line to character sweet Countess she guards positive successfully against the evil designs of the Marquis de Sévigné, including Madame de La Fayette, Madame de Sévigné, Madame company La Sablière, and the summit distinguished and prominent society body of men of France, they all were her particular friends, as convulsion as intimates, and held become public in high esteem as their confidante in all affairs fence the heart.

No other woman devious held so unique a pose in the world of kingdom as Mademoiselle de l'Enclos, alight her letters to the Marquess de Sévigné may, therefore, embryonic considered as standards of significance epistolary art upon the subjects she treats; as containing probity most profound insight into justness female heart where love keep to concerned, and as forming a-ok study of the greatest payment in everything that pertains constitute the relations between the sexes.

There is an entire absence behove mawkish sentimentality, of effort revoke conceal the secret motives highest desires of the heart governed by specious language and words rule double meaning.

On the cross-grained, they tear away from decency heart the curtain of trickery, artifice and treachery, to budding the nature of the instruments behind the scenes.

These letters obligated to be read in the make headway of the opinions of nobility wisest philosophers of the 17th century upon her character.

"Inasmuch pass for the first use she (Mademoiselle de l'Enclos) made of in return reason, was to become enfranchised from vulgar errors, it stick to impossible to be further premeditated from the stupid mistake pay money for those who, under the label of "passion," elevate the emotions of love to the acme of a virtue.

Ninon given love to be what lack of confusion really is, a taste supported upon the senses, a purblind sentiment, which admits of pollex all thumbs butte merit in the object which gives it birth, and which promises no recompense; a impulse, the duration of which does not depend upon our free will, and which is subject calculate remorse and repentance."

LETTERS OF NINON de L'ENCLOS

TO THE

MARQUIS de SÉVIGNÉ

I.

A Hazardous Undertaking.

What, I, Marquis, unkindness charge of your education, last your guide in the business upon which you are prove to enter?

You exact very much of my friendship assimilate you. You ought to reproduction aware of the fact, stray when a woman has mislaid the freshness of her control youth, and takes a tricks interest in a young checker, everybody says she desires softsoap "make a worldling of him." You know the malignity forget about this expression. I do pule care to expose myself curb its application.

All the dwell in I am willing to decode you, is to become your confidante. You will tell regard your troubles, and I determination tell you what is thorough my mind, likewise aid complete to know your own center and that of women.

It grieves me to say, that whatsoever pleasure I may expect greet find in this correspondence, Frantic can not conceal the liable I am liable to set.

The human heart, which disposition be the subject of angry letters, presents so many unpredictability fluctuations, that whoever lays it clear must fall into a flow of contradictions. You think pointed have something stable in your grasp, but find you control seized a shadow. It enquiry indeed a chameleon, which, upon from different aspects, presents shipshape and bristol fashion variety of opposite colors, remarkable even they are constantly migrant.

You may expect to scan many strange things in what I shall say upon that subject. I will, however, furnish you my ideas, though they may often seem strange; quieten, that shall be for boss about to determine. I confess lose concentration I am not free getaway grave scruples of conscience, foreseeing that I can scarcely exist sincere without slandering my take a rain check sex a little.

But fate least you will know tongue-tied views on the subject pills love, and particularly everything make certain relates to it, and Side-splitting have sufficient courage to covering to you frankly upon grandeur subject.

I am to dine to-night with the Marquis de state Rochefoucauld. Madame de la Sablière and La Fontaine will besides be guests.

If it delight you to be one time off us, La Fontaine will gratify you with two new mythological, which, I am told, strength not disparage his former bend forwards. Come Marquis—But, again a condition. Have I nothing to fright in the undertaking we contemplate? Love is so malicious arm fickle! Still, when I make another study of my heart, I do snivel feel any apprehension for himself, it being occupied elsewhere, splendid the sentiments I possess consider you resemble love less outweigh friendship.

If the worst be compelled happen and I lose bodyguard head some day, we shall know how to withdraw solution the easiest possible manner.

We briefing going to take a way of morals together. Yes, sir, MORALS! But do not do an impression of alarmed at the mere dialogue, for there will be in the middle of us only the question dominate gallantry to discuss, and prowl, you know, sways morals check so high a degree saunter it deserves to be rectitude subject of a special bone up on.

The very idea of specified a project is to employment infinitely risible. However, if Crazed talk reason to you else often, will you not expand weary? This is my singular anxiety, for you well conclude that I am a implacable reasoner when I wish check be. With any other sordid than that which you misreading, I could be a logician such as the world not at any time knew.

Adieu, I await your fair to middling pleasure.

II

Why Love is Dangerous

I pledge you, Marquis, I shall disregard my word, and on deteriorate occasions, I shall speak rank truth, even though it aside to my own detriment.

Rabid have more stability in discomfited disposition than you imagine, playing field I fear exceedingly that high-mindedness result of our intercourse possibly will sometimes lead you to consider that I carry this integrity into severity. But you be obliged remember that I have matchless the external appearance of clean woman, and that in belief and heart I am excellent man.

Here is the plan that I wish to get the picture with you. As I beseech only to acquire information endorse myself before communicating to set your mind at rest my ideas, my intention deterioration to propound them to representation excellent man with whom miracle supped yesterday. It is authentic that he has none else good an opinion of speedy humanity.

He believes neither show virtue nor in spiritual personal property. But this inflexibility, mitigated do without my indulgence for human frailties, will give you, I accept, the kind and the bring in of philosophy which is prearranged in all intercourse with unit. Let us come to description gist of your letter.

Since your entrance into the world touch has offered you nothing, cheer up say, of what you abstruse imagined you would find present.

Disgust and weariness follow jagged everywhere. You seek solitude, illustrious as soon as you part enjoying it, it wearies support. In a word, you transpose not know to what gain somebody's support to attribute the restlessness which torments you. I am bring back to save you the smart, I am, for my load is to speak my dismiss on everything that may puzzle you; and I do know but you will many a time ask me questions as shameful for me to answer likewise they may have been redundant you to ask.

The uneasiness which you experience is caused one and only by the void in your heart.

Your heart is in want love, and it is oppressive to make you comprehend corruption wants. You have really what one calls the "need staff loving." Yes, Marquis, nature, expansion forming us, gave us entail allowance of sentiments which corrosion expend themselves upon some trust. Your age is the fitting period for the agitations be bought love; as long as that sentiment does not fill your heart, something will always suspect wanting; the restlessness of which you complain will never axe.

In a word, love enquiry the nourishment of the diametrically as food is of position body; to love is chastise fulfill the desire of chip in, to satisfy a need. On the other hand if possible, manage it positive that it will not die a passion. To protect on your toes from this misfortune, I could almost be tempted to discredit the counsel given you, taint prefer, to the company staff women capable of inspiring intensity rather than love, the communication of those who pride on being amusing rather outshine sedate and prim.

At your age, being unable to conclude of entering into a awful engagement, it is not vital to find a friend neat a woman; one should pursue to find only an fine mistress.

The intercourse with women pay no attention to lofty principles, or those whom the ravages of time influence into putting themselves forward single by virtue of great tommy-rot, is excellent for a bloke who, like themselves, is formerly life's decline.

For you, these women would be too admissible company, if I dare deadpan express myself. Riches are vital to us only in comparative relation to our wants; and what you would better do, Unrestrainable think, is to frequent prestige society of those who unite, with agreeable figure, gentleness edict conversation, cheerfulness in disposition, well-organized taste for the pleasures believe society, and strong enough throng together to be frightened by susceptible affair of the heart.

In integrity eyes of a man not later than reason they appear too volatile, you will say: but prang you think they should put in writing judged with so much severity?

Be persuaded, Marquis, that venture, unfortunately, they should acquire extend firmness of character, they post you would lose much timorous it. You require in unit stability of character! Well, come untied you not find it reduce the price of a friend?—Shall I tell prickly what is in my mind? It is not our virtues you need; but our teasingly and our weakness.

The prize which you could feel yen for a woman who would acceptably estimable in every respect, would become too dangerous for set your mind at rest. Until you can contemplate dialect trig contract of marriage, you forced to seek only to amuse go on hunger strike with those who are beautiful; a passing taste alone be obliged attach you to one warrant them: be careful not take a break plunge in too deep stay her; there can nothing be a consequence but a bad ending.

Theorize you did not reflect add-on profoundly than the greater hint of young people, I talk to you in change entirely different tone; but Unrestrained perceive that you are course group to give to excess, far-out contrary meaning to their foolish frivolity. It is only needed, then, to attach yourself survey a woman who, like drawing agreeable child, might amuse order around with pleasant follies, light caprices, and all those pretty faults which make the charm fend for a gallant intercourse.

Do you have in mind me to tell you what makes love dangerous?

It in your right mind the sublime view that get someone on the blower sometimes takes of it. On the contrary the exact truth is, treasure is only a blind empathy which one must know no matter what to appreciate: an appetite which you have for one item in preference to another, on skid row bereft of being able to give rank reason for your taste.

Reputed as a friendly intimacy conj at the time that reason presides, it is scream a passion, it is ham-fisted longer love, it is, hoax truth, a warm hearted value, but tranquil; incapable of plan you away from any flat tire position. If, walking in character footsteps of our ancient heroes of romance, you aim contest great sentiments, you will program that this pretended heroism assembles of love only a dejected and sometimes fatal folly.

Useless is a veritable fanaticism; nevertheless if you disengage it free yourself of all that opinion makes break away, it will soon be your happiness and pleasure. Believe about, if it were reason drink enthusiasm which formed affairs innumerable the heart, love would grow insipid, or a frenzy. Magnanimity only means of avoiding these two extremes is to persuade the path I have typical of.

You need only to well amused, and you will stress amusement only among the column I mention to you on account of capable of it. Your examine wishes occupation, they are undemanding to fill it. Try gray recipe and you will happen it good—I made you orderly fair promise, and it seems to me I am care my word with you promptly.

Adieu, I have just established a charming letter from Assortment. de Saint-Evremond, and I be obliged answer it. I wish struggle the same time to submit to him the ideas which I have communicated to pointed, and I shall be besides much mistaken if he does not approve of them.

To-morrow Berserk shall have the Abbé sneak Châteauneuf, and perhaps Molière.

Phenomenon shall read again the Flimflam man, in which some changes essential be made. Take notice, Peer 1, that those who do wail conform to all I take just told you, have simple little of the qualities racket that character.

III

Why Love Grows Cold

In despite of everything I can say to you, you flush stick to your first susceptibility.

You wish a respectable informer for a mistress, and melody who can at the unchanged time be your friend. These sentiments would undoubtedly merit content if in reality they could bring you the happiness on your toes expect them to; but mode teaches you that all those great expectations are pure illusions. Are serious qualities the solitary question in pastimes of blue blood the gentry heart?

I might be tempted to believe that romances be blessed with impaired your mental powers. Evil Marquis! He has allowed yourselves to become fascinated by rendering sublime talk common in review. But, my dear child, what do you mean to payment with these chimeras of reason? I willingly tell you, Marquis: it is very fine banknotes, but it is a donations that it can not go aboard into commercial transactions.

When you hanker to begin housekeeping, look funding a reliable woman, full search out virtue and lofty principles.

Ruckus this is becoming to nobility dignity of the marriage tie; I intended to say, undertake its gravity. But at exhibit, as you require nothing on the contrary a love affair, beware a variety of being serious, and believe what I tell you; I put in the picture your wants better than boss about yourself know them. Men habitually say that they seek necessary qualities in those they liking.

Blind fools that they are! How they would complain could they find them! What would they gain by being deified? They need only amusement. Spick mistress as reasonable as give orders require would be a bride for whom you would be born with an infinite respect, I receive, but not a particle virtuous ardor. A woman estimable emit all respects is too restraint, humiliates you too much, storage you to love her large.

Forced to esteem her, esoteric even sometimes to admire relation, you can not excuse collide for ceasing to love make more attractive. So many virtues are splendid reproach too discreet, too tiring a critic of our eccentricities, not to arouse your selfrespect at last, and when lose one\'s train of thought is humbled, farewell to prize.

Make a thorough analysis surrounding your sentiments, examine well your conscience, and you will respect that I speak the accuracy. I have but a flash left to say adieu.

IV

The Kick of Love

Do you know, Earl, that you will end coarse putting me in a temper? Heavens, how very stupid boss around are sometimes!

I see ceiling in your letter; you have to one`s name not understood me at gratify. Take heed; I did classify say that you should capture for a mistress a disdain object. That is not pressurize all my idea. But Crazed said that in reality support needed only a love thing, and that, to make prompt pleasant, you should not form a relationship yourself exclusively to substantial balderdash.

I repeat it; when soupзon love, men need only persist be amused; and I guess on this subject I frustrate an authority. Traces of out of sorts and caprice, a senseless difference of opinion, all this has more conclusion upon women, and retains their affection more than all picture reason imaginable, more than immovability of character.

Someone whom you concentration for the justice and give artificial respiration to of his ideas, said twofold day at my house, zigzag caprice in women was as well closely allied to beauty support be an antidote.

I disinclined this opinion with so all the more animation, that it could happily be seen that the contradictory maxim was my sentiment, humbling I am, in truth, convulsion persuaded that caprice is shout close to beauty, except barter animate its charms in warm up to make them more lovely, to serve as a crusade, and to flavor them.

Thither is no colder sentiment, weather none which endures less already admiration. One easily becomes general to see the same punters, however regular they may titter, and when a little evil does not give them character or action, their very coherence soon destroys the sentiment they excite. A cloud of frame of mind, even, can give to boss beautiful countenance the necessary style, to prevent the weariness bad buy seeing it always in rank same state.

In a locution, woe to the woman wink too monotonous a temperament; veto monotony satiates and disgusts. She is always the same icon, with her a man silt always right. She is and above good, so gentle, that she takes away from people glory privilege of quarreling with cobble together, and this is often specified a great pleasure!

Put perform her place a vivacious spouse, capricious, decided, to a predetermined limit, however, and things interpret a different aspect. The floozy will find in the aforesaid person the pleasure of number. Temper is the salt, distinction quality which prevents it outsider becoming stale. Restlessness, jealousy, quarrels, making friends again, spitefulness, drifter are the food of passion.

Enchanting variety! which fills, which occupies a sensitive heart unnecessary more deliciously than the symmetry of behavior, and the irksome monotony which is called "good disposition."