mlle de launay lived there until 1710 in the enjoyment of the utmost consideration, and held a little court of her own, which included brunel, the friend of fontenelle, the sieur de la rey and the abbé vertot. she describes her own first passion for the marquis de silly, the brother of a friend with whom she was visiting. her affection was not returned, but she entered on a correspondence with him in which she plays the part of director.