Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/485

Rh her favour, she answered, "Heavens! how many virtues you make hateful to me."

Moliere was introduced to the acquaintance of Ninon, by Chapelle. Rediscovered in her, as he said, the essence of all talents, and the knowledge of all ages, and regarded her taste for ridicule as the most perfect he had ever met with. But, amidst the adoration of lovers and the praise of wits, Ninon was not every where triumphant. Wishing to draw all that were distinguished or great into her toils, she wanted to captivate a celebrated preacher, and pretending to be ill, sent for him as if for spiritual consolation; but, on his arrival, he found her attired with elegance, and surrounded by luxury. She practised all her graces; but to the truly good man they appeared contemptible, and to her confusion, he said: "I see that your malady is in your heart and mind, in person you appear in perfect health; I beseech the Great Physician of souls to cure you!" and left her covered with shame and confusion.

When she was past sixty, a more serious evil befel her. A son of hers had been educated under the name of the chevalier de Villiers, without being made acquainted with his birth. To finish his education, his father introduced him into her society, to learn those inimitable graces, and that charm which she alone possessed. The unhappy young man became her admirer; and, when she was thus forced to reveal to him who he was, he rushed from her, into the garden, and either struck with horror at himself, or mortified at the discovery of his dishonourable birth, fell upon his sword. Ninon saw him expiring, and would have destroyed herself, had she not