Lives of the most eminent literary and scientific men of France, Vol. 2 (of 2)Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft
Science
Lives of the most eminent literary and scientific men of France, Vol. 2 (of 2)
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft
Authors, French -- Biography
[Footnote 11: The subsequent history of this hapless victim of a
depraved state of society which set the seal of guilt on her attachment,
may be briefly stated. After the birth of her child, Sophie was taken
from the asylum in which she was first placed, and confined in the
convent of Saintes-Claires, at Gien. By degrees many indulgences were
allowed her, and she received visits. Mirabeau became jealous, and
angrily expressed his jealousy, both in letters, and in a single
interview which they had after his liberation from Vincennes. Had
Mirabeau come to this interview with a candid mind and a constant heart,
he had at once have acknowledged Sophie's innocence. But his attachment
had waned, and he was intent on completing his reconciliation with his
father, and contriving one with his wife. He played the part of the wolf
with the lamb in the fable; and, to the utter destruction of the nobler
portion of his nature, the ties of love and affection, the knitting of
which had occasioned misery and ruin to both, were broken for ever. Soon
after, the death of her husband restored Sophie to her liberty, but she
chose to continue to reside within the precincts of the convent, though
she used her liberty to make visits and excursions. She was greatly
loved by all who knew her. Her sweetness and gentleness attached many
friends: her charity and kind sympathy caused her to be beloved by the
poor, by whom her memory was long gratefully preserved. She formed a
second attachment for a gentleman to whom she was about to be married,
but his death prevented their union. Sophie resolved not to survive him.
Immediately on receiving his last sigh, she prepared to die. She shut
herself up with two braziers of burning charcoal; and was found on the
morrow dead. She died on the 8th September, 1789, in the 37th year of
her age.]
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