“... We went to Rueil, where we spoke every day of the affair [Marthe du Vigean’s resolution to become a nun], and where many tears were shed; and the conclusion arrived at was that, at any rate, nothing should be done for six months, my mother hoping, in asking this delay of her, that she might be able to induce her to alter her mind. Finally, we returned here, because I was very ill; I had fever so badly that I did not move from my bed. One fine day, she said to me: ‘Sister, I shall not give them all the time I promised, for I shall go before another week has passed!’ I begged her to give me time to write to my mother, in order that she might come and speak to her, since I was not strong enough to retain or to counsel her. I wrote, accordingly, ill though I was. In the meanwhile, I had sent to the Hôtel de Longueville to learn your news [the news from the army], because I had been told that a courier had arrived, and Madame de Longueville wrote to me to send for it; and at the end of her letter she asked my sister to go and see her. She went out, therefore, to go thither, and when she had gone half the distance, told her people that she must turn aside to the ‘_Grandes Carmélites_,’[188] but that she had only a word to say to them. She made them turn her carriage and went thither, where she is still and does not intend to come out. My mother arrived an hour later.... My father wished to kill every one, all the Missionaries and Carmelites in the world, but he is beginning to be somewhat appeased. I go to see her every day; she is merry and resolute, and watches me weeping without shedding a tear.”[189] Marthe du Vigean seems to have been very happy in her new life, and declared that she would not change her condition to be empress of the whole world.[190] She made profession in 1649, and took the name of Sœur Marthe de Jésus. She held the office of sub-prioress from 1659–1662, and died three years later, at the age of forty-four. The peace of the cloister had descended upon her, but the memory of her grace and beauty lingered long in the world she had quitted: “Lorsque Vigean quitta la Cour, Les Jeux, les Grâces, les Amours Entrèrent dans le monastère. Laire la laire, lon lère Laire la laire, lon la. Les Jeux pleurèrent ce jour-là; Ce jour-là la beauté se voilà Et fit vœu d’être solitaire * * * * *[191]” The man whom she had loved with such devotion did not seek to see her again, but always preserved for her “a recollection full of respect.”[192] CHAPTER XV