What an angel appeared to me at last! She had to my eyes all the charms we had seen heretofore.
I did not find her either puffy or sallow; she is less thin, though, and more happy-looking.

She has those same eyes of hers, and the same expression; austerity; bad living, and little sleep have not made them hollow or dull; that singular dress takes away nothing of the easy grace and easy bearing.

As for modesty, she is no grander than when she presented to the world a princess of Conti, but that is enough for a Carmelite.

In real truth, this dress and this retirement are a great dignity for her." The king never saw her again, but it was at her side that Madame de Montespan, in her turn forced to quit the court, went to seek advice and pious consolation.

"This soul will be a miracle of grace," Bossuet had said.
[Illustration: Madame de Montespan 12] It was no longer the time of "this tiny violet that hides itself in the grass," as Madame de Sevigne used to remark.