The Marquis de Sevigne, by a vitiated taste quite natural in men of weak powers, had failed to discover in a handsome woman, spirited, perhaps of too jealous a nature or disposition to be esteemed, the proper sentiments, or sentiments strong enough to retain his affections.  He implored Ninon to aid him in preserving her affections and to teach him how to secure her love.  Ninon undertook to give him instructions in the art of captivating women’s hearts, to show him the nature of love and its operations, and to give him an insight into the nature of women.  The Marquis profited by these lessons to fall in love with Ninon, finding her a thousand times more charming than his actress or his princess.  Madame de Sevigne’s letter referring to the love of her son for Ninon testifies by telling him plainly “Ninon spoiled your father,” that this passion was not so much unknown to her as it was a matter of indifference.

The young Chevalier de Vasse often gave brilliant receptions in honor of Ninon at Saint Cloud, which the Marquis de Sevigne always attended as the mutual friend of both.  De Vasse was well acquainted with Ninon’s peculiarities and knew that the gallantry of such a man as de Sevigne was a feeble means of retaining the affections of a heart that was the slave of nothing but its own fugitive desires.  But he was a man devoted to his friends and, being Epicurean in his philosophy, he did not attempt to interfere with the affection he perceived growing between Ninon and his friend.  It never occurred to the Marquis that he was guilty of a betrayal of friendship by paying court to Ninon, and the latter took the Marquis’ attentions as a matter of course without considering the ingratitude of her conduct.  She rather flattered herself at having been sufficiently attractive to capture a man of de Seine’s family distinction.  She had captured the heart of de Soigne, the father, and had received so many animadversions upon her conduct from Madame de Sevigne, that it afforded her great pleasure to “spoil” the son as she had the father.

But her satisfaction was short-lived, for she had the chagrin to learn soon after her conquest that de Sevigne had perished on the field of honor at the hands of Chevalier d’Albret.  Her sorrow was real, of course, but the fire lighted by the senses is small and not enduring, and when the occasion arises regret is not eternalized, besides there were others waiting with impatience.  His successful rival out of the way, de Vasse supposed he had a clear field, but he did not attain his expected happiness.  He was no longer pleasing to Ninon and she did no:  hesitate to make him understand that he could never hope to win her heart.  According to her philosophy there is nothing so shameful in a tender friendship as the art of dissimulation.

As has been said, much odium has been cast upon Mademoiselle de l’Enclos in this de Sevigne matter.  It all grew out of the dislike of Madame de Sevigne for a woman who attracted even her own husband and son from her side and heart, and for whom her dearest friends professed the most intimate attachment.  Madame de Grignan, the proud, haughty daughter of the house of de Sevigne, did not scruple to array herself on the side of Mademoiselle de l’Enclos with Madame de Coulanges, another bright star among the noble and respectable families of France.