Marmontel had been in love with a certain Mlle. Navarre, whose heart he had stolen away from Maurice de Saxe, much to the indignation of the famous Marshal,[177] and who had made of him "the happiest of lovers and the most miserable of slaves." One day, he learned that his enchantress had jilted him, in his turn, for the Chevalier de Mirabeau, upon which he went home, "fell down like a sacrificed victim," and was for some time alarmingly ill. Mlle. Clairon came to console him, when the following conversation took place:-- "'My friend,' said she, 'your heart needs some object of love; you feel listless, because it is empty. You must interest; you must fill it. Is there not a woman in the world whom you can think agreeable?' "'I know,' said I, 'only one who could comfort me if she chose, but would she be so generous.' "'We must see as to that,' replied she, with a smile. 'Am I acquainted with her? I will endeavour to assist you.' "'Yes, you know her, and have great influence over her.' "'Well, what is her name? I will speak to her in your favour; I will say that you love with ardour and sincerity; that you can be faithful and constant; that she is sure of being happy in your love.' "'So you really believe all this?' "'Yes; I am fully persuaded of it.' "'Be so good as to say it to yourself.' "'To myself, my friend?' "'To yourself.' "'Ah! then it shall be my pride to comfort you.'"[178] A connection was thus formed, which, though it did not last very long--at least the love-affair did not[179]--was not without its influence upon the professional careers of both. Marmontel tells us that his passion for the actress had the effect of "rekindling his poetical ardour"; while, on her side, Mlle. Clairon was induced by the representations of the young author to adopt a more natural style of acting, which may be said to have given the finishing touch to an art which came nearer perfection than anything yet seen on the French stage, and, moreover, opened the door for a reform the importance of which can scarcely be over-estimated.