upon weakness; but it is an amiable weakness that does not
detract greatly from her fascination. She was not cast in a
heroic mold, and her faults are those which the world is pleased
to call essentially feminine.

The records of her life were preserved by Conrart, also by her
friend and physician, Valant. They give us a clear picture of
her character, with its graces and its foibles, as well as of her
pleasant intercourse and correspondence with many noted men and
women. They give us, too, interesting glimpses of her salon. We
find there the celebrated Jansenists Nicole and Arnauld, the
eminent lawyer Domat, Esprit, sometimes Pascal, with his sister,
Mme. Perier; the Prince and Princesse de Conti, the Grand Conde,
La Rochefoucauld, the penitent Mme. de Longueville, Mme. de La
Fayette, and many others among the cultivated noblesse, who are
attracted by its tone of bel esprit and graceful, but by no means
severe, devotion. The Duc d'Orleans and the lovely but
unfortunate Madame were intimate and frequent visitors.

In this little world, in which religion, literature, and fashion
are curiously blended, they talk of theology, morals, physics,
Cartesianism, friendship, and love. The youth and gaiety of the
Hotel de Rambouillet have given place to more serious thoughts
and graver topics. The current which had its source there is
divided. At the Samedis, in the Marais, they are amusing
themselves about the same time with letters and Vers de Societe.
At the Luxembourg, a more exclusive coterie is exercising its
mature talent in sketching portraits. These salons touch at many
points, but each has a channel of its own. The reflective nature
of Mme. de Sable turns to more serious and elevated subjects, and