34& MADAME GEOFF II IN. 



lities of mind and heart, was worthy of a better fate, 

 the greater part of the money fhe got for the three fine 

 pictures of Vanloo, which fhe fold to the emprefs of 

 Ruffia. Madame Geoffrin had a tender affection for 

 rEpinaffe, notwithstanding the very ftriking contrail 

 in their two characters. Madame Geoffrin was fond 

 of eafe and indulgence ; her friend, on the contrary, 

 was always in one continued buftle and noife and even 

 impetuofity. However, a warm and cordial friendfhip 

 fubfifeed between thefe two ladies, which equally re- 

 dounded to the honour of both. In the long and pain- 

 ful ficknefs which ravifhed Mademoifelle TEpinaffe 

 from her friends, fhe often declared that it was a great 

 confolation to her to be the forerunner of Madame, 

 Geoffrin through the vale of death. 



M. de Mairan had appointed Madame Geoffrin his 

 fole inheretrix, without conditions, without trufiees, 

 without limitations. Never did a dying friend fhew 

 greater confidence, and never did fuch confidence do 

 greater honour to any man. The firft thing fhe did 

 was to write to his relations to know whether they had 

 any objections to make to the laffc will and teffament of 

 M. de Mairan. They wrote to her in anfwer, that they 

 were fatisfied with the legality and juftice of the will ; 

 and that fhe was at full liberty to difpofe of his effects 

 as me thought good. In virtue of this authority, fhe 

 took upon herlelf the difpofal of the whole property, 

 which amounted to upwards of 50,000 crowns. She 

 richly rewarded the fervants of the deceafed. She gave 

 50,000 franks to an old friend of M. de Mairan, and 

 different fums to his relations, &c. " God be praifed !" 

 laid fhe once to a friend, " this morning I have at laft 



finifhe^ 



