The sight of her bright black eyes and of her rich brown cheek sufficed to put the most turbulent audience into good humour.

It was said of her that in the crowded theatre she had as many lovers as she had male spectators.

Yet no lover, however rich, however high in rank, had prevailed on her to be his mistress.

Those who are acquainted with the parts which she was in the habit of playing, and with the epilogues which it was her especial business to recite, will not easily give her credit for any extraordinary measure of virtue or of delicacy.

She seems to have been a cold, vain and interested coquette, who perfectly understood how much the influence of her charms was increased by the fame of a severity which cost her nothing, and who could venture to flirt with a succession of admirers in the just confidence that no flame which she might kindle in them would thaw her own ice.