most spiritual element of the little coterie which has left such
a legacy of condensed thought to the world.

The crowning act of the life of Mme. de Sable was her defense of
Port Royal. She united with Mme. de Longueville in protecting
the persecuted Jansenists, Nicole and Arnauld, but she had
neither the courage, the heroism, nor the partisan spirit of her
more ardent companion. With all her devotion she was something
of a sybarite and liked repose. She had the tact, during all the
troubles which scattered her little circle, to retain her
friends, of whatever religious color, though not without a few
temporary clouds. Her diplomatic moderation did not quite please
the religieuses of Port Royal, and chilled a little her pleasant
relations with d'Andilly.

Toward the close of her life, the Marquise was in the habit of
secluding herself for days together, and declining to see even
her dearest friends. The Abbe de la Victoire, piqued at not
being received, spoke of her one day as "the late Mme. la
Marquise de Sable."

La Rochefoucauld writes to her, "I know no more inventions for
entering your house; I am refused at the door every day." Mme.
de La Fayette declares herself offended, and cites this as a
proof of her attachment, saying, "There are very few people who
could displease me by not wishing to see me." But the friends of
the Marquise are disposed to treat her caprices very leniently.
As the years went by and the interests of life receded, Mme. de
Sable became reconciled to the thought that had inspired her with
so much dread. When she died at the advanced age of seventy-