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e lover。 His nature was one that recoiled from all violent commotions of the soul。 The cold philosophy of the Maxims marked perhaps the reaction of his intellect against the disenchanting experiences of his life。 In the tranquil atmosphere of Mme。 de Sable he found a certain mental equilibrium； but his character was finally tempered and softened by the gentle influence of Mme。 de La Fayette； whose exquisite poise and delicacy were singularly in harmony with a nature that liked nothing in exaggeration。 〃I have seen him weep with a tenderness that made me adore him；〃 writes Mme。 de Sevigne； after the death of his mother。 〃The heart or M。 de La Rochefoucauld for his family is a thing incomparable。〃 When the news came that his favorite grandson had been killed in battle； she says again： 〃I have seen his heart laid bare in this cruel misfortune； he ranks first among all I have ever known for courage； fortitude； tenderness； and reason； I count for nothing his esprit and his charm。〃 In all the confidences of the two women； La Rochefoucauld makes a third。 He seems always to be looking over the shoulder of Mme。 de La Fayette while she writes to the one who 〃satisfies his idea of friendship in all its circumstances and dependences〃； adding usually a message； a line or a pretty compliment to Mme。 de Grignan that is more amiable than sincere； because he knows it will gladden the heart of her adoring mother。
The side of Mme。 de La Fayette which has the most fascination for us is this intimate life of which Mme。 de Sevigne gives such charming glimpses。 For a moment it was her ambition to establish a popular salon； a role for which she had every requisite of position； talent； and influence。 〃She presumed very much upon her esprit；〃 says Gourville； who did not like her； 〃and proposed to fill the place of the Marquise de Sable； to whom all the young people were in the habit of paying great deference； because； after she had fashioned them a little； it was a passport for entering the world； but this plan did not succeed； as Mme。 de La Fayette was not willing to give her time to a thing so futile。〃 One can readily understand that it would not have suited her tastes or her temperament。 Besides； her health was too delicate； and her moods were too variable。 〃You know how she is weary sometimes of the same thing；〃 wrote Mme。 de Sevigne。 But she had her coterie； which was brilliant in quality if not in numbers。 The fine house with its pretty garden； which may be seen today opposite the Petit Luxembourg； was a favorite meeting place for a distinguished circle。 The central figure was La Rochefoucauld。 Every day he came in and seated himself in the fauteuil reserved for him。 One is reminded of the little salon in the Abbaye…aux… Bois； where more than a century later Chateaubriand found the pleasure and the consolation of his last days in the society of Mme。 Recamier。 They talk； they write； they criticize each other； they receive their friends。 The Cardinal de Retz comes in； and they recall the fatal souvenirs of the Fronde。 Perhaps he thinks of the time when he found the young Mlle。 De LaVergne pretty and amiable； and she did not smile upon him。 The Prince de Conde is there sometimes； and honors her with his confidence； which Mme。 de Sevigne thinks very flattering； as he does not often pay such consideration to women。 Segrais has transferred his allegiance from the Grande Mademoiselle to Mme。 de La Fayette； and is her literary counselor as well as a constant visitor。 La Fontaine； 〃so well known by his fables and tales； and sometimes so heavy in conversation；〃 may be found there。 Mme。 de Sevigne comes almost every day with her sunny face and her witty story。 〃The Mist〃 she calls Mme。 de La Fayette； who is so often ill and sad。 She might have called herself The Sunbeam； though she； too； has her hours when she can only dine tete…a…tete with her friend； because she is 〃so gloomy that she cannot support four people together。〃 Mme。 de Coulanges adds her graceful； vivacious； and sparkling presence。 Mme。 Scarron； before her days of grandeur； is frequently of the company； and has lost none of the charm which made the salon of her poet…husband so attractive during his later years。 〃She has an amiable and marvelously just mind；〃 says Mme。 de Sevigne。 。 。 〃It is pleasant to hear her talk。 These conversations often lead us very far； from morality to morality； sometimes Christian； sometimes political。〃 This circle was not limited however to a few friends； and included from time to time the learning； the elegance and the aristocracy of Paris。
But Mme。 de La Fayette herself is the magnet that quietly draws together this fascinating world。 In her youth she had much life and vivacity； perhaps a spice of discreet coquetry； but at this period she was serious； and her fresh beauty had given place to the assured and captivating grace of maturity。 She had a face that might have been severe in its strength but for the sensibility expressed in the slight droop of the head to one side； the tender curve of the full lips； and the variable light of the dark； thoughtful eyes。 In her last years； when her stately figure had grown attenuated； and her face was pallid with long suffering； the underlying force of her character was more distinctly defined in the clear and noble outlines of her features。 Her nature was full of subtle shades。 Over her reserved strength； her calm judgment； her wise penetration played the delicate light of a lively imagination； the shifting tints of a tender sensibility。 Her sympathy found ready expression in tears； and she could not even bear the emotion of saying good…by to Mme。 de Sevigne when she was going away to Provence。 But her accents were always tempered； and her manners had the gracious and tranquil ease of a woman superior to circumstances。 Her extreme frankness lent her at times a certain sharpness； and she deals many light blows at the small vanities and affectations that come under her notice。 〃Mon Dieu；〃 said the frivolous Mme。 de Marans to her one day； 〃I must have my hair cut。〃 〃Mon Dieu；〃 replied Mme。 de La Fayette simply； 〃do not have it done； that is becoming only to young persons。〃 Gourville said she was imperious and over…bearing； scolding those she loved best； as well as those she did not love。 But this valet…de…chambre of La Rochefoucauld； who amassed a fortune and became a man of some note； was jealous of her influence over his former master； and his opinions should be taken with reservation。 Her delicate satire may have been sometimes a formidable weapon； but it was directed only against follies； and rarely； if ever； used unkindly。 She was a woman for intimacies； and it is to those who knew her best that we must look for a just estimate of her qualities。 〃You would love her as soon as you had time to be with her； and to become familiar with her esprit and her wisdom；〃 wrote Mme。 de Sevigne to her daughter； who was disposed to be critical； 〃the better one knows her； the more one is attached to her。〃
One must also take into consideration her bad health。 People thought her selfish or indifferent when she was only sad and suffering。 For more than twenty years she was ill； consumed by a