The Suspicion of VirtueThe salon was of particular importance in mid to late seventeenth century France, enabling aristocratic women to develop a philosophical culture that simultaneously reflected and opposed the dominant male philosophy. In The Suspicion of Virtue, John J. Conley, S. J., explores the moral philosophies developed by five women authors of that milieu: Madame de Sabl, Madame Deshoulires, Madame de la Sablire, Mlle de la Vallire, and Madame de Maintenon.