Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/857

Rh one that gave her language and manner to display her genius, but left her miserably deficient in virtue and prudence. Having formed too tender an intimacy with a cousin of nearly the same age, and fearing the disagreeable consequences of that connection, she quitted her father's house and went to Paris, to seek protection of the Duchess de Rohan. She gained the favour of this lady by some very pretty verses addressed to her; and who, kindly compassionating her extreme youth, not only promised to protect her against the wrath of her parents, but provide her with every necessary, till she was able to return home. Soon after, she was brought to bed of a son, who lived but six weeks; but chusing rather to remain at Paris, than go back to Alençon, she took infinite pains to cultivate her talent for poetry, for which she had already gained some reputation; whereupon, she put the tragi-comedy of Manlius Torquatus (written by the Abbé D'Aubigné) into verse, which was acted at the hotel de Bourgogne, with great success; after which, she wrote another, called Mithetis, in the same stile, which was not favourably received. Tired of verse, she began to write romances, which were much liked; they are written with spirit, though in a negligent stile. The principal are, Les Desordres de l'Amour, or a collection of romances; Le Portrait des Foiblesses Humaines, which does not correspond with the title, and is not so well written as the preceding; Les Exiles, another collection of little romances, which was much esteemed; Les Memoires du Serrail; Les Annales Galantes; Les Galanteries Grenadines; Les Amours des Grands Hommes; L'Histoire d'Asterie, ou Tamerlan; Le Journal Amoureux; &c.

Among the number of her admirers, was young Villedieu, an officer in the infantry; but he was married. She, however,