Madame de Ventadour was eloquent, and so was Maltravers; yet a more complete contrast in their mental views and conversational peculiarities can scarcely be conceived.

Madame de Ventadour viewed everything as a woman of the world: she was brilliant, thoughtful, and not without delicacy and tenderness of sentiment; still all was cast in a worldly mould.

She had been formed by the influences of society, and her mind betrayed its education.

At once witty and melancholy (no uncommon union), she was a disciple of the sad but caustic philosophy produced by _satiety_.

In the life she led, neither her heart nor her head was engaged; the faculties of both were irritated, not satisfied or employed.