de La Fayette has fallen from the clouds," says Mme. de Sevigne.
"Where can she find such a friend, such society, a like
sweetness, charm, confidence, consideration for her and her son?"
A little later she writes from The Rocks, "Mme. de La Fayette
sends me word that she is more deeply affected than she herself
believed, being occupied with her health and her children; but
these cares have only rendered more sensible the veritable
sadness of her heart. She is alone in the world . . . The poor
woman cannot close the ranks so as to fill this place."

The records of the thirteen years that remain to Mme. de La
Fayette are somber and melancholy. "Nothing can replace the
blessings I have lost," she says. Restlessly she seeks diversion
in new plans. She enlarges her house as her horizon diminishes;
she finds occupation in the affairs of Mme. Royale and interests
herself in the marriage of the daughter of her never-forgotten
friend, the Princess Henrietta, with the heir to the throne of
Savoy. She writes a romance without the old vigor, occupies
herself with historic reminiscences, and takes a passing refuge
in an ardent affection for the young Mme. de Schomberg, which
excites the jealousy of some older friends. But the strongest
link that binds her to the world is the son whose career opens so
brilliantly as a young officer and for whom she secures an ample
fortune and a fine marriage. In this son and the establishment
of a family centered all her hopes and ambitions. She was spared
the pain of seeing them vanish like the "baseless fabric of a
vision." The object of so many cares survived her less than two
years; her remaining son and the only person left to represent
her was the abbe who had so little care for her manuscripts and
her literary fame. A century later, through a collateral branch