Agnès, etc. Agnes is the heroine of a notable

comedy of Molière's, "TÉcole des Femmes," of which the thème is the mistaken security to be had in a woman's fidelity through bringing her up in extrême ignorance and seclusion. In the play, Agnes, young and densely ignorant, is the victim whom Arnolphe, a conceited suitor of mature years and without marked attractiveness of mind or person, has designed for' himself. Of course he fails in his designs, Agnes being finally won by a suitor more in harmony with her âge and tastes. Hoping to guard against this very resuit and to make sure* against the possibility of any aberration of sentiments on her part, Arnolphe déclares, Act. I, Se. I :

Dans nn petit couvent, loin de toute pratique, Je la fia élever selon ma politique :

G*est-&-dire ordonnant quels soins on emplolrait Pour la rendre idiote autant qu*il se pouvait.

The expression ** croire que les enfants," etc. (verse 168-164) has become current, to indicate a type of extrême simple-mindedness.

280 LE HABIAOE DE gAbâBD

Pm|C«. LIM.