scenes of gilded vice, and began to gather round her the coterie
of choice spirits which later became so famous.

Filled with the poetic ideals and artistic tastes which had been
nourished in a thoughtful and elegant seclusion, it seems to have
been the aim of her life to give them outward expression. Her
mind, which inherited the subtle refinement of the land of her
birth, had taken its color from the best Italian and Spanish
literature, but she was in no sense a learned woman. She was
once going to study Latin, in order to read Virgil, but was
prevented by ill health. It is clear, however, that she had a
great diversity of gifts, with a basis of rare good sense and
moral elevation. "She was revered, adored," writes Mme. de
Motteville; "a model of courtesy, wisdom, knowledge, and
sweetness." She is always spoken of in the chronicles of her
time as a loyal wife, a devoted mother, the benefactor of the
suffering, and the sympathetic adviser of authors and artists.
The poet Segrais says: "She was amiable and gracious, of a sound
and just mind; it is she who has corrected the bad customs which
prevailed before her. She taught politeness to all those of her
time who frequented her house. She was also a good friend, and
kind to every one." We are told that she was beautiful, but we
know only that her face was fair and delicate, her figure tall
and graceful, and her manner stately and dignified. Her Greek
love of beauty expressed itself in all her appointments. The
unique and original architecture of her hotel,--which was
modeled after her own designs,--the arrangement of her salon,
the pursuits she chose, and the amusements she planned, were all
a part of her own artistic nature. This was shown also in her
code of etiquette, which imposed a fine courtesy upon the members