“We were in all fifty-five dancers. Mademoiselle de Choiseul danced as Orpheus, Mademoiselle de Damas as Eurydice, I as Cupid, Mesdemoiselles de Chauvigny and Montsauge were two attendants. There were ten dancers of the funeral entry, ten as the furies, ten as Orpheus’s followers, ten as Eurydice’s, and ten for the Court of Love. That winter we also played _Polyeucte_ in the Convent theatre. I took the part of Pauline, Mademoiselle de Châtillon was Polyeucte, and Mademoiselle de Choiseul, Sévère; it was a great success. Shortly after they made us study the _Cid_. I played Rodriguez, and also Cornelia, in the _Death of Pompey_.” These performances were so full of interest for the little actresses that they frequently devoted their recreation hours to the study of their parts. The audience was composed of the mothers and relations of the pupils, and their friends. And these plays were the talk of all Paris. However, these worldly amusements did not interfere with the regular course of their duties. “After the refectory,” Hélène tells us, “I was a fortnight on service at the gate. There were five of us: Mademoiselle de Morard, fourteen years old, rather pretty, but stupid and insipid; Mademoiselle de Nagu, aged seventeen, pretty and amiable; Mademoiselle de Chabrillan, ugly but clever, fourteen years of age; Mademoiselle de Barbantanne, fifteen years old, looking like a boy, a romp, pretty, and a very good dancer. “Our duty was to accompany the portress whenever she went to open the outer gates. “The movement was perpetual; at one moment the masters, then the doctors, or else the directors; in fact, Mesdames de Fumel and de Pradines, the two portresses, were completely tired out by the evening; we did not like the former--she was sour, dry, and ill-natured. “The turning box,[61] where I was next sent, suited me better; we saw a number of people all day long; I was there with Aumont, Cossé, and Chalais, all very amiable young ladies. “The two nuns in charge, Mesdames de Calvisson and de Nogaret, were sisters; the latter was fond of reading, and very learned. “We had to ring for every one who was wanted, and there was a different bell for each person. It was rather difficult not to make a mistake; for one, there would be 3, 8, and a peal; for another, V, 8, and a peal; it was endless. “Aumont was eighteen years old, and was witty and talented; she was rather pretty, and had been married some time. “Cossé was only twelve; she was plain, but full of charm, and very delicate; she married later the Duc de Mortemart. “Madame d’Avaux, of whom I have already spoken, was good-natured and pretty, but silly. “Lastly, Mademoiselle de Chalais, very pretty, fifteen years old, rather an invalid. “This department amused us, but as the work was very fatiguing, no one ever remained there long.