And the same biographer goes on to tell of the wonderful tale of such sort as is apt to cling to persons of celebrity, or more or less apart from the rank and file of people—the tale of the “_Noctambule_,” Ninon’s nocturnal visitant, the little “Man in Black”; but this is confirmed and best told in the vivid description of his last visit, as it is handed down to us— “PARIS, _9th April 1701_. * * * * * “Ah! my friend, what a terrible fright I have had! Truly I am not recovered from it yet, and my limbs still tremble at the thought of it. Oh, these cruel things that return from the past at intervals, to stare you in the face, and poison the tranquillity of the present! “I have seen my Man in Black! Do you understand? My Man in Black of the Louvre ball, the man with the red tablets, and the dozen bottles; the man who appeared to me seventy years ago. Or, rather, no, it was not he, since I am living still. But great Heaven! what a resemblance! He wore, as the first did, a black velvet coat, and breeches, carried an ebony cane, and had the great black moustache. Oh, I was ready to faint with terror. You may think me crazed, I daresay, but it is no laughing matter. Wait while I get my wits together to tell you properly. “Madeleine de Scudéri, as you know, was taken ill at my house. When a woman is ninety-four years of age, there is no great chance of her getting better. Nevertheless, Madame de Sandwich took a coach, and drove at full speed to a quack doctor, who is very fashionable, and who is said to have performed many wonderful cures. Presently she returned with this man. I looked up, to drop back into my chair, crying in amazement: ‘It is he!—it is the devil! Oh, Heaven!—Heaven! protect me!’ “He turned to the countess. “‘What is the matter with her? Is it your invalid?’ he inquired. “‘Mercy!’ I cried, casting myself on my knees, ‘I signed on your tablets, certainly; but I did not understand that I was selling my soul.’ “‘Ah! Ah!’ said he, ‘you should be Mademoiselle de L’Enclos?’ “‘Yes,’ murmured I, in half-suffocated tones. “‘You regret having given your signature?’ “‘Alas!’ “‘Calm yourself; I am not the devil I seem to be; and we will come to an understanding.’ “He approached the couch of the sick woman; but during what had passed, Madeleine had breathed her last. “‘I should not have saved her,’ said the Man in Black. ‘Let us go into another room,’ he added, turning to me; ‘we will settle our little affair.’ “‘Oh, dearest Countess, I implore you do not forsake me!’ I cried, lifting my trembling hands to Madame de Sandwich. “‘Excuse me, what I have to say must not be heard by anyone but yourself, Mademoiselle; for in that case, it would be impossible for me to arrange the bargain,’ said the Man in Black.