Page:Queens of Song.djvu/63

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EARLY FRENCH SINGERS.
51

seked the poor siren, who regretted the dissipation of past years, and bewailed the errors of her youth.

One of her most ardent admirers was the Count d'Albert, an elegant and highly-accomplished nobleman, to whom, while he was in the camp of Maréchal œillars, La Maupin had addressed a poetical epistle, written with warmth of feeling and grace of expression. This effusion was subsequently attributed to Benserade, who had been dead for seyeral years, and it is given in the Anecdotes Dramatiques published 1775, La Maupin now wrote to Count d' Albert in her remorse, explaining her motives for quitting the stage, and requesting his advice. The gallant cavalier, while testifying his personal regret, warmly counseled her to carry out her idea, encouraging her in every possible manner. She therefore finally decided, and returned all the presents given her by the cavaliers of the court, retaining only the pension of the Elector of Bavaria. Her new-grown piety increasing, she resolved to retire from the world altogether, and wrote to her husband, desiring him to come home directly : that gentleman meekly obeyed. Madame la Maupin made her last courtesy to her whilom enthusiastic adorers in 1705, and spent the short remnant of her life in peace. This beautiful, misguided being died in 1707, at the early age of thirty-four.