“Come, now, Monsieur le Marquis,” said the tutor with alacrity, “Quem habuit successorem Belus rex Assiriorum?” (Whom did Belus, king of the Assyrians, have for successor?)

It so happened that the tutor had taught the boy to pronounce the Latin language after the Italian fashion.  Wherefore, when the lad answered “Ninum,” who was really the successor of Belus, king of the Assyrians, he pronounced the last two letters “um” like the French nasal “on,” which gave the name of the Assyrian king the same sound as that of Ninon de l’Enclos, the terrible bete noir of the jealous Marquise.  This was enough to set her off into a spasm of fury against the luckless tutor, who could not understand why he should be so berated over a simple question and its correct answer.  The Marquise not understanding Latin, and guided only by the sound of the answer, which was similar to the name of her hated rival, jumped at the conclusion that he was answering some question about Ninon de l’Enclos.

“You are giving my son a fine education,” she snapped out before all her guests, “by entertaining him with the follies of his father.  From the answer of the young Marquis I judge of the impertinence of your question.  Go, leave my sight, and never enter it again.”

The unfortunate tutor vainly protested that he did not comprehend her anger, that he meant no affront, that there was no other answer to be made than “Ninum,” unfortunately, again pronouncing the word “Ninon,” which nearly sent the lady into a fit of apoplexy with rage at hearing the tabooed name repeated in her presence.  The incensed woman carried the scene to a ridiculous point, refusing to listen to reason or explanation.

“No, he said ‘Ninon,’ and Ninon it was.”

The story spread all over Paris, and when it reached Ninon, she laughed immoderately, her friends dubbing her “The successor of Belus.”  Ninon told Moliere the ridiculous story and he turned it to profit in one of his comedies in the character of Countess d’Escarbagnas.

At the expiration of three years, peace had come to France after a fashion, the cabals were not so frequent and the rivalry between the factions not so bitter.  Whatever differences there had been were patched up or smoothed over.  Ninon’s return to the house in the Rue des Tournelles was hailed with joy by her “Birds,” who received her as one returned from the dead.  Saint-Evremond composed an elegy beginning with these lines: 

Chere Philis, qu’etes vous devenues? 
Cet enchanteur qui vous a retenue
Depuis trois ans par un charme nouveau
Vous retient-il en quelque vieux chateau?

CHAPTER XIII

The Marquis de Sevigne

It has been attempted to cast odium upon the memory of Mademoiselle de l’Enclos because of her connection with the second Marquis de Sevigne, son of the celebrated Madame de Sevigne, whose letters have been read far and wide by those who fancy they can find something in them with reference to the morals and practices of the court of Versailles during her period.