Firstpublishedin1910。ThisvolumeisdedicatedtoMadameL。LandouzywithgratitudeandaffectionThisbookisnotintendedasastudyofGeorgeSand。Itismerelyaseriesofchapterstouchingonvariousaspectsofherlifeandwritings。Myworkwillnotbelostiftheperusalofthesepagesshouldinspireoneofthehistoriansofourliteraturewiththeideaofdevotingtothegreatnovelist，tohergeniusandherinfluence，aworkofthiskind。
　　I
　　AUROREDUPIN
　　PSYCHOLOGYOFADAUGHTEROFROUSSEAU
　　InthewholeofFrenchliteraryhistory，thereis，perhaps，nosubjectofsuchinexhaustibleandmoderninterestasthatofGeorgeSand。
　　Ofwhatuseisliteraryhistory？Itisnotonlyakindofmuseum，inwhichafewmasterpiecesarepreservedforthepleasureofbeholders。
　　Itisthiscertainly，butitisstillmorethanthis。Finebooksare，beforeanythingelse，livingworks。Theynotonlyhavelived，buttheycontinuetolive。Theylivewithinus，underneaththoseideaswhichformourconscienceandthosesentimentswhichinspireouractions。
　　Thereisnothingofgreaterimportanceforanysocietythantomakeaninventoryoftheideasandthesentimentswhicharecomposingitsmoralatmosphereeveryinstantthatitexists。Foreveryindividualthisworkistheveryconditionofhisdignity。Thequestionis，shouldwehavetheseideasandthesesentiments，if，inthetimesbeforeus，therehadnotbeensomeexceptionalindividualswhoseizedthem，asitwere，intheairandmadethemviableanddurable？
　　Theseexceptionalindividualswerecapableofthinkingmorevigorously，offeelingmoredeeply，andofexpressingthemselvesmoreforciblythanweare。Theybequeathedtheseideasandsentimentstous。
　　Literaryhistoryis，then，aboveandbeyondallthings，theperpetualexaminationoftheconscienceofhumanity。
　　Thereisnoneedformetorepeatwhateveryoneknows，thefactthatourepochisextremelycomplex，agitatedanddisturbed。
　　Inthemidstofthislabyrinthinwhichwearefeelingourwaywithsuchdifficulty，whodoesnotlookbackregretfullytothedayswhenlifewasmoresimple，whenitwaspossibletowalktowardsagoal，mysteriousandunknownthoughitmightbe，bystraightpathsandroyalroutes？
　　GeorgeSandwrotefornearlyhalfacentury。Forfiftytimesthreehundredandsixty—fivedays，sheneverletadaypassbywithoutcoveringmorepagesthanotherwritersinamonth。Herfirstbooksshockedpeople，herearlyopinionsweregreetedwithstorms。
　　Fromthattimeforthsherushedhead—longintoeverythingnew，shewelcomedeverychimeraandpasseditontouswithmoreforceandpassioninit。Vibratingwitheverybreath，electrifiedbyeverystorm，shelookedupateverycloudbehindwhichshefanciedshesawastarshining。Theworkofanothernovelisthasbeencalledarepertoryofhumandocuments。Butwhatarepertoryofideasherworkwas！
　　Shehassaidwhatshehadtosayonnearlyeverysubject；onlove，thefamily，socialinstitutionsandonthevariousformsofgovernment。
　　Andwithallthisshewasawoman。Hercaseisalmostuniqueinthehistoryofletters。Itisintenselyinterestingtostudytheinfluenceofthiswomanofgeniusontheevolutionofmodernthought。
　　Ishallendeavourtoapproachmysubjectconscientiouslyandwithallduerespect。Ishallstudybiographywhereitisindispensableforthecompleteunderstandingofworks。IshallgiveasketchoftheoriginalindividualsImeetonmypath，portrayingtheseonlyattheirpointofcontactwiththelifeofourauthoress，anditseemstomethatagalleryinwhichweseeSandeau，Sainte—Beuve，Musset，Michel（ofBourges），Liszt，Chopin，Lamennais，PierreLeroux，Dumas_fils_，Flaubertandmany，manyothersisanincomparableportraitgallery。Ishallnotattackpersons，butIshalldiscussideasand，whennecessary，disputethemenergetically。Weshall，Ihope，duringourvoyage，seemanyperspectivesopenoutbeforeus。
　　Ihave，ofcourse，madeuseofalltheworksdevotedtoGeorgeSandwhichwereofanyvalueformystudy，andamongothersofthetwovolumespublished，underthenameofWladimirKarenine，[1]byawomanbelongingtoRussianaristocraticsociety。Fortheperiodbefore1840，thisisthemostcompleteworkthathasbeenwritten。
　　M。SamuelRocheblave，acleverUniversityprofessorandthemanwhoknowsmorethananyoneaboutthelifeandworksofGeorgeSand，hasbeenmyguideandhashelpedmegreatlywithhiswiseadvice。
　　Privatecollectionsofdocumentshavealsobeenplacedatmyservicemostgenerously。Iamthereforeabletosupplysomehithertounpublishedwritings。GeorgeSandpublished，inall，aboutahundredvolumesofnovelsandstories，fourvolumesofautobiography，andsixofcorrespondence。Inspiteofallthiswearestillaskedforfreshdocuments。
　　[1]WLADIMIRKARENINE：_GeorgeSand，Savieetsesaeuvres。_
　　2Vols。Ollendorf。
　　Itisinteresting，asapreliminarystudy，tonotethenaturalgifts，andthefirstimpressionsofAuroreDupinasachildandyounggirl，andtoseehowthesepredeterminedthewomanandthewriterknowntousasGeorgeSand。
　　Lucile—Amandine—AuroreDupin，legitimatedaughterofMauriceDupinandofSophie—VictoireDelaborde，wasborninParis，at15RueMeslay，intheneighbourhoodoftheTemple，onthe1stofJuly，1804。Iwouldcallattentionatoncetothespecialphenomenonwhichexplainstheproblemofherdestiny：Imeanbythisherheredity，orrathertheradicalandviolentcontrastofhermaternalandpaternalheredity。
　　Byherfathershewasanaristocratandrelatedtothereigninghouses。
　　HerancestorwastheKingofPoland，AugustusII，theloverofthebeautifulCountessAuroravonKoenigsmarck。GeorgeSand’sgrandfatherwasMauricedeSaxe。Hemayhavebeenanadventureranda_condottiere_，butFranceowestohimFontenoy，thatbrilliantpageofherhistory。
　　Allthistakesusbacktotheeighteenthcenturywithitsbrilliant，gallant，frivolous，artisticandprofligateepisodes。MauricedeSaxeadoredthetheatre，eitherforitselforforthesakeofthewomenconnectedwithit。Onhiscampaign，hetookwithhimatheatricalcompanywhichgavearepresentationtheeveningbeforeabattle。
　　InthiscompanywasayoungartistenamedMlle。deVerriereswhosefatherwasacertainM。Rinteau。MauricedeSaxeadmiredtheyoungactressandadaughterwasbornofthis_liaison_，whowaslateronrecognizedbyherfatherandnamedMarie—AuroredeSaxe。
　　ThiswasGeorgeSand’sgrandmother。AttheageoffifteentheyounggirlmarriedComtedeHorn，abastardsonofLouisXV。Thishusbandwasobligingenoughtohiswife，whowasonlyhiswifeinname，todieassoonaspossible。Shethenreturnedtohermother"theOperalady。"Anelderlynobleman，DupindeFrancueil，whohadbeentheloveroftheotherMlle。Verrieres，nowfellinlovewithherandmarriedher。Theirson，MauriceDupin，wasthefatherofournovelist。
　　TheastonishingpartofthisseriesofadventuresisthatMarie—Auroreshouldhavebeentheeminentlyrespectablewomanthatshewas。
　　Onhermother’sside，though，AuroreDupinbelongedtothepeople。
　　ShewasthedaughterofSophie—VictoireDelabordemilliner，thegrandchildofacertainbird—sellerontheQuaidesOiseaux，whousedtokeepapublic—house，andshewasthegreat—granddaughterofMereCloquart。
　　ThisdoublehereditywaspersonifiedinthetwowomenwhosharedGeorgeSand’schildishaffection。Wemustthereforestudytheportraitsofthesetwowomen。
　　Thegrandmotherwas，ifnotatypical_grandedame_，atleastatypicalelegantwomanofthelatterhalfoftheeighteenthcentury。
　　Shewasverywelleducatedandrefined，thankstolivingwiththetwosisters，Mlles。Verrieres，whowereaccustomedtothebestsociety。Shewasagoodmusicianandsangdelightfully。
　　WhenshemarriedDupindeFrancueil，herhusbandwassixty—two，justdoubleherage。But，assheusedtosaytohergranddaughter，"noonewaseveroldinthosedays。ItwastheRevolutionthatbroughtoldageintotheworld。"
　　Dupinwasaveryagreeableman。Whenyoungerhehadbeen_too_agreeable，butnowhewasjustsufficientlysotomakehiswifeveryhappy。
　　Hewasverylavishinhisexpenditureandlivedlikeaprince，sothatheleftMarie—Auroreruinedandpoorwithaboutthreethousandayear。ShewasimbuedwiththeideasofthephilosophersandanenemyoftheQueen’s_coterie_。ShewasbynomeansalarmedattheRevolutionandwasverysoontakenprisoner。
　　Shewasarrestedonthe26thofNovember，1793，andincarceratedinthe_CouventdesAnglaises_，RuedesFosse’s—Saint—Victor，whichhadbeenconvertedintoadetentionhouse。OnleavingprisonshesettleddownatNohant，anestateshehadrecentlybought。
　　Itwastherethathergranddaughterrememberedherinherearlydays。
　　Shedescribesherastall，slender，fairandalwaysverycalm。
　　AtNohantshehadonlyhermaidsandherbooksforcompany。
　　WheninParis，shedelightedinthesocietyofpeopleofherownstationandofhertime，peoplewhohadtheideasandairsofformerdays。
　　Shecontinued，inthisnewcentury，theshadesofthoughtandthemannersandCustomsoftheold_regime。_
　　Asaset—offtothiswomanofraceandofculture，Aurore’smotherrepresentedtheordinarytypeofthewomanofthepeople。
　　Shewassmall，dark，fieryandviolent。She，too，thebird—seller’sdaughter，hadbeenimprisonedbytheRevolution，andstrangelyenoughinthe_CouventdesAnglaises_ataboutthesametimeasMauricedeSaxe’sgranddaughter。ItwasinthiswaythatthefusionofclasseswasunderstoodundertheTerror。Shewasemployedasa_figurante_inasmalltheatre。Thiswasmerelyacommencementforhercareer。AtthetimewhenMauriceDupinmether，shewasthemistressofanoldgeneral。Shealreadyhadonechildofdoubtfulparentage。MauriceDupin，too，hadanaturalson，namedHippolyte，sothattheycouldnotreproacheachother。
　　WhenMauriceDupinmarriedSophie—Victoire，amonthbeforethebirthofAurore，hehadsomedifficultyinobtaininghismother’sconsent。
　　Shefinallygavein，asshewasofanindulgentnature。ItispossiblethatSophie—Victoire’sconductwasirreproachableduringherhusband’slifetime，but，afterhisdeath，shereturnedtoherformerways。Shewasneverthelessofreligioushabitsandwouldnot，uponanyaccount，havemissedattendingMass。Shewasquick—tempered，jealousandnoisyand，whenanythingannoyedher，extremelyhot—headed。Atsuchtimesshewouldshoutandstorm，sothattheonlywaytosilenceherwastoshoutstillmoreloudly。
　　Sheneverboreanymalice，though，andwishednoharmtothoseshehadinsulted。Shewasofcoursesentimental，butmorepassionatethantender，andshequicklyforgotthosewhomshehadlovedmostfondly。
　　Thereseemedtobegapsinhermemoryandalsoinherconscience。
　　Shewasignorant，knowingnothingeitherofliteratureoroftheusagesofsociety。Her_salon_wasthelandingofherflatandheracquaintancesweretheneighbourswhohappenedtolivenextdoortoher。
　　Itiseasytoimaginewhatshethoughtofthearistocratswhovisitedhermother—in—law。Shewasamusingwhenshejokedandmadeparodiesonthewomenshestyled"theoldCountesses。"Shehadagreatdealofnaturalwit，alivelinesspeculiartothenativeofthefaubourgs，alltheimpudenceofthestreetarab，andaveritabletalentofmimicry。Shewasagoodhousewife，active，industriousandmostcleverinturningeverythingtoaccount。Withamerenothingshecouldimproviseadressorahatandgiveitacertainstyle。
　　Shewasalwaysmostskilfulwithherfingers，atypicalParisianwork—girl，adaughterofthestreetandachildofthepeople。
　　Inourtimesshewouldbestyled"amidinette。"
　　SucharethetwowomenwhosharedtheaffectionofAuroreDupin。
　　Fatehadbroughtthemtogether，buthadmadethemsounlikethattheywereboundtodislikeeachother。ThechildhoodoflittleAuroreservedasthelistsfortheircontentions。Theirrivalrywasthedominatingnoteinthesentimentaleducationofthechild。
　　AslongasMauriceDupinlived，AurorewasalwayswithherparentsintheirlittleParisiandwelling。MauriceDupinwasabrilliantofficer，andverybraveandjovial。In1808，AurorewenttohiminMadrid，wherehewasMurat’s_aide—de—camp_。ShelivedinthepalaceofthePrinceofPeace，thatvastpalacewhichMuratfilledwiththesplendourofhiscostumesandthegroanscausedbyhissuffering。
　　LikeVictorHugo，whowenttothesameplaceataboutthesametimeandundersimilarconditions，Auroremayhavebroughtbackwithher_desescourseslointaines_
　　_Commeunvaguefaisceaudelueursincertaines。_
　　Thisdoesnotseemprobable，though。Thereturnwaspainful，astheycamebackworriedandill，andweregladtotakerefugeatNohant。
　　TheywerejustbeginningtoorganizetheirlifewhenMauriceDupindiedsuddenly，fromanaccidentwhenriding，leavinghismotherandhiswifetogether。
　　Fromthistimeforth，AurorewasmoreoftenwithhergrandmotheratNohantthanwithhermotherinParis。Hergrandmotherundertookthecareofhereducation。Herhalf—brother，HippolyteChatiron，andshereceivedlessonsfromM。Deschartres，whohadeducatedMauriceDupin。
　　Hewasstewardandtutorcombined，averyauthoritativeman，arrogantandagreatpedant。Hewasaffectionate，though，andextremelydevoted。Hewasbothdetestableandtouchingatthesametime，andhadawarmhearthiddenunderaroughexterior。
　　NohantwasintheheartofBerry，andthismeantthecountryandNature。
　　ForAuroreDupinNatureprovedtobeanincomparableeducator。
　　Therewasonlyonemarkedtraitinthechild’scharacteruptothisdate，andthatwasagreattendencytoreverie。Forlonghoursshewouldremainalone，motionless，gazingintospace。
　　Peoplewereanxiousaboutherwhentheysawherlookingso_stupid_，buthermotherinvariablysaid："Donotbealarmed。Sheisalwaysruminatingaboutsomething。"Countrylife，whileprovidingherwithfreshairandplentyofexercise，sothatherhealthwasmagnificent，gavefreshfoodandanotherturntoherreveries。TenyearsearlierAlphonsedeLamartinehadbeensenttothecountryatMilly，andallowedtofrequentthelittlepeasantchildrenoftheplace。
　　AuroreDupin’sexistencewasnowverymuchthesameasthatofLamartine。NohantissituatedinthecentreoftheBlackValley。
　　Thegroundisdarkandrich；therearenarrow，shadypaths。
　　Itisnotahillycountry，andtherearewide，peacefulhorizons。
　　Atallhoursofthedayandatallseasonsoftheyear，AurorewanderedalongtheBerryroadswithherlittleplayfellows，thefarmers’children。TherewasMariewhotendedtheflock，Solangewhocollectedleaves，andLisetandPlaisirwhomindedthepigs。
　　Shealwaysknewinwhatmeadoworinwhatplaceshewouldfindthem。
　　Sheplayedwiththemamongstthehay，climbedthetreesanddabbledinthewater。Shemindedtheflockwiththem，andinwinter，whentheherdsmentalkedtogether，assembledroundtheirfire，shelistenedtotheirwonderfulstories。Thesecredulouscountrychildrenhad"seenwiththeirowneyes"Georgeon，theevilspiritoftheBlackValley。Theyhadalsoseenwill—o’—the—wisps，ghosts，the"whitegreyhound"andthe"BigBeast"！Intheevenings，shesatuplisteningtothestoriestoldbythehemp—weaver。Herfreshyoungsoulwasthusimpregnatedatanearlyagewiththepoetryofthecountry。Anditwasallthepoetryofthecountry，thatwhichcomesfromthings，suchasthefreshnessoftheairandtheperfumeoftheflowers，butalsothatwhichistobefoundinthesimplicityofsentimentsandinthatcandourandsurprisefacetofacewiththosesightsofNaturewhichhaveremainedthesameandhavebeenjustasincomprehensibleeversincethebeginningoftheworld。
　　Theantagonismofthetwomothersincreased，though。Wewillnotgointodetailwithregardtothevariousepisodes，butwillonlyconsidertheconsequences。
　　Thefirstconsequencewasthattheintelligenceofthechildbecamemorekeenthroughthisduality。Placedasshewas，inthesetwodifferentworlds，betweentwopersonswithmindssounlike，and，obligedasshewastogofromonetotheother，shelearnttounderstandandappreciatethemboth，contraststhoughtheywere。
　　Shehadsoonreckonedeachofthemup，andshesawtheirweaknesses，theirfaults，theirmeritsandtheiradvantages。
　　Asecondconsequencewastoincreasehersensitiveness。Eachtimethatshelefthermother，theseparationwasheartrending。
　　Whenshewasabsentfromher，shesufferedonaccountofthisabsence，andstillmorebecauseshefanciedthatshewouldbeforgotten。
　　Shelovedhermother，justasshewas，andtheideathatanyonewashostileordespisedhercausedthechildmuchsilentsuffering。
　　Itwasasthoughshehadanever—openwound。
　　Anotherconsequence，andbynomeanstheleastimportantone，wastodetermineinacertainsensetheimmensepowerofsympathywithinher。
　　Foralongtimesheonlyfeltasortofawe，whenwithherreservedandceremoniousgrandmother。Shefeltnearertohermother，astherewasnoneedtobeonceremonywithher。Shetookadisliketoallthosewhorepresentedauthority，rulesandthetyrannyofcustom。
　　Sheconsideredhermotherandherselfasoppressedindividuals。
　　AloveforthepeoplesprangupintheheartofthedaughterofSophie—Victoire。Shebelongedtothemthroughhermother，andshewasdrawntothemnowthroughthehumiliationssheunderwent。
　　Inthislittleenemyofreverencesandofsocietypeople，weseethedawnofthatinstinctwhich，lateron，wastocausehertorevoltopenly。GeorgeSandwasquiterightinsaying，lateron，thatitwasofnouseseekinganyintellectualreasonastheexplanationofhersocialpreferences。Everythinginherwasduetosentiment。
　　Hersocialismwasentirelytheoutcomeofhersufferingandtormentsasachild。
　　Thingshadtocometoacrisis，andthecrisiswasatrocious。
　　GeorgeSandgivesanaccountofthetragicsceneinher_Histoiredemavie_。Hergrandmotherhadalreadyhadoneattackofparalysis。
　　ShewasanxiousaboutAurore’sfuture，andwishedtokeepherfromtheinfluenceofhermother。Shethereforedecidedtoemployviolentmeanstothisend。Shesentforthechildtoherbedside，and，almostbesideherself，inachokingvoice，sherevealedtoherallthatsheoughttohaveconcealed。
　　ShetoldherofSophie—Victoire’spast，sheutteredthefatalwordandspokeofthechild’smotherasalostwoman。WithAurore’sextremesensitiveness，itwashorribletoreceivesuchconfidencesattheageofthirteen。Thirtyyearslater，GeorgeSanddescribestheanguishoftheterribleminute。"Itwasanightmare，"shesays。
　　"Ifeltchoked，anditwasasthougheverywordwouldkillme。
　　Theperspirationcameoutonmyface。Iwantedtointerrupther，togetupandrushaway。Ididnotwanttohearthefrightfulaccusation。
　　Icouldnotmove，though；Iseemedtobenailedonmyknees，andmyheadseemedtobeboweddownbythatvoicethatIheardaboveme，avoicewhichseemedtowithermelikeastormwind。"
　　Itseemsextraordinarythatawoman，whowasinrealitysokind—heartedandsowise，shouldhaveallowedherselftobecarriedawaylikethis。
　　Passionhasthesesuddenandunexpectedoutbursts，andweseehereamostsignificantproofoftheatmosphereofpassioninwhichthechildhadlived，andwhichgraduallyinsinuateditselfwithinher。
　　Underthesecircumstances，Aurore’sdeparturefortheconventwasadeliverance。Untiljustrecently，therehasalwaysbeenaconventinvogueinFranceinwhichithasbeenconsiderednecessaryforgirlsingoodsocietytobeeducated。In1817，_theCouventdesAnglaises_wasinvogue，theveryconventwhichhadservedasaprisonforthemotherandgrandmotherofAurore。
　　Thethreeyearsshespentthereinthat"bigfemininefamily，whereeveryonewasaskindasGod，"sheconsideredthemostpeacefulandhappytimeofherlife。Thepagesshedevotestotheminher_Histoiredemavie_haveallthefreshnessofanoasis。
　　Shedescribesmostlovinglythislittleworld，apart，exclusiveandself—sufficing，inwhichlifewassointense。
　　Thehouseconsistedofanumberofconstructions，andwassituatedintheneighbourhoodgivenuptoconvents。Therewerecourtyardsandgardensenoughtomakeitseemlikeasmallvillage。
　　Therewasalsoalabyrinthofpassagesaboveandunderground，justasinoneofAnneRadcliffe’snovels。Therewereoldwallsovergrownwithvineandjasmine。Thecockcouldbeheardatmidnight，justasintheheartofthecountry，andtherewasabellwithasilverytonelikeawoman’svoice。Fromherlittlecell，AurorelookedoverthetopsofthegreatchestnuttreesontoParis，sothattheairsonecessaryforthelungsofachildaccustomedtowanderingsinthecountrywasnotlackinginherconventhome。
　　Thepupilshaddividedthemselvesintothreecategories：
　　the_diables_，thegoodgirls，whowerethespeciallypiousones，andthesillyones。Auroretookherplaceatonceamongthe_diables_。
　　Thegreatexploitoftheseconventgirlsconsistedindescendingintothecellars，duringrecreation，andinsoundingthewalls，inorderto"deliverthevictim。"Therewassupposedtobeanunfortunatevictimimprisonedandtorturedbythegood，kindheartedSisters。
　　Alas！allthe_diables_sworntothetaskinthe_CouventdesAnglaises_neversucceededinfindingthevictim，sothatshemustbetherestill。
　　Verysoon，though，asuddenchange—tookplaceinAurore’ssoul。
　　Itwouldhavebeenstrangehaditbeenotherwise。Withsoextraordinarilysensitiveanorganization，thenewandtotallydifferentsurroundingscouldnotfailtomakeanimpression。
　　Thecloister，thecemetery，thelongservices，thewordsoftheritual，murmuredinthedimly—lightedchapel，andthepietythatseemstohoverintheairinhouseswheremanyprayershavebeenofferedup——
　　allthisactedontheyounggirl。OneeveninginAugust，shehadgoneintothechurch，whichwasdimlylightedbythesanctuarylamp。
　　Throughtheopenwindowcametheperfumeofhoneysuckleandthesongsofthebirds。Therewasacharm，amysteryandasolemncalmabouteverything，suchasshehadneverbeforeexperienced。
　　"Idonotknowwhatwastakingplacewithinme，"shesaid，whendescribingthis，lateron，"butIbreathedanatmospherethatwasindescribablydelicious，andIseemedtobebreathingitinmyverysoul。Suddenly，Ifeltashockthroughallmybeing，adizzinesscameoverme，andIseemedtobeenvelopedinawhitelight。
　　IthoughtIheardavoicemurmuringinmyear：_`TolleLege。’_I
　　turnedround，andsawthatIwasquitealone……"
　　Ourmodern_psychiatres_wouldsaythatshehadhadanhallucinationofhearing，togetherwitholfactorytrouble。Iprefersayingthatshehadreceivedthevisitofgrace。Tearsofjoybathedherfaceandsheremainedthere，sobbingforalongtime。
　　TheconventhadthereforeopenedtoAuroreanotherworldofsentiment，thatofChristianemotion。Hersoulwasnaturallyreligious，andthedrynessofaphilosophicaleducationhadnotbeensufficientforit。Theconventhadnowbroughtherthealimentforwhichshehadinstinctivelylonged。Lateron，whenherfaith，whichhadneverbeenveryenlightened，lefther，thesentimentremained。
　　Thisreligiosity，ofChristianform，wasessentialtoGeorgeSand。
　　Theconventalsorenderedheranothereminentservice。
　　Inthe_Histoiredemavie_，GeorgeSandretracesfrommemorytheportraitsofseveraloftheSisters。ShetellsusofMadameMarie—Xavier，andofherdespairathavingtakenthevows；ofSisterAnne—Joseph，whowasaskindasanangelandassillyasagoose；
　　ofthegentleMarie—Alicia，whoseserenesoullookedoutofherblueeyes，amirrorofpurity，andofthemysticalSisterHelene，whohadlefthomeinspiteofherfamily，inspiteofthesupplicationsandthesobsofhermotherandsisters，andwhohadpassedoverthebodyofachildonherwaytoGod。Itislikethisalways。
　　Thecostumesarethesame，thehandsareclaspedinthesamemanner，thewhitebandsandthefaceslookequallypale，butunderneaththisapparentuniformitywhatcontrasts！Itistheinnerlifewhichmarksthedifferencessovigorously，andshowsuptheoriginalityofeachone。
　　Auroregraduallydiscoveredthediversityofallthesesoulsandthebeautyofeachone。Shethoughtofbecominganun，butherconfessordidnotadvisethis，andhewascertainlywise。Hergrandmother，whohadaphilosopher’sopinionofpriests，blamedtheirfanaticism，andtookherlittlegranddaughterawayfromtheconvent。Perhapsshefelttheneedofaffectionforthefewmonthsshehadstilltolive。
　　Atanyrate，shecertainlyhadthisaffection。OneofthefirstresultsofthelargerperspicacitywhichAurorehadacquiredattheconventwastomakeherunderstandhergrandmotheratlast。
　　Shewasablenowtograspthecomplexnatureofherrelativeandtoseethedelicacyhiddenunderanappearanceofgreatreserve。
　　Sheknewnowallthatsheowedtohergrandmother，butunfortunatelyitwasoneofthosediscoverieswhicharemadetoolate。
　　TheeighteenmonthswhichAurorenowpassedatNohant，untilthedeathofhergrandmother，areveryimportantasregardsherpsychologicalbiography。Shewasseventeenyearsold，andagirlwhowaseagertoliveandveryemotional。ShehadfirstbeenachildofNature。HerconventlifehadtakenherawayfromNatureandaccustomedhertofallingbackonherownthoughts。Naturenowtookherbackoncemore，andherbelovedNohantfetedherreturn。
　　"Thetreeswereinflower，"shesays，"thenightingalesweresinging，and，inthedistance，Icouldheartheclassic，solemnsoundofthelabourers。Myoldfriends，thebigdogs，whohadgrowledatmetheeveningbefore，recognizedmeagainandwereprofuseintheircaresses……"
　　Shewantedtoseeeverythingagain。Thethingsthemselveshadnotchanged，butherwayoflookingatthemnowwasdifferent。
　　Duringherlong，solitarywalkseverymorning，sheenjoyedseeingthevariouslandscapes，sometimesmelancholy—lookingandsometimesdelightful。Sheenjoyed，too，thepicturesquenessofthevariousthingsshemet，theflocksofcattle，thebirdstakingtheirflight，andeventhesoundofthehorses’feetsplashinginthewater。
　　Sheenjoyedeverything，inakindofvoluptuousreveriewhichwasnolongerinstinctive，butconsciousandatriflemorbid。
　　Addedtoallthis，herreadingatthisepochwaswithoutanyorderormethod。Shereadeverythingvoraciously，mixingallthephilosophersuptogether。ShereadLocke，Condillac，Montesquieu，Bossuet，Pascal，Montaigne，butshekeptRousseauapartfromtheothers。Shedevouredthebooksofthemoralistsandpoets，LaBruyere，Pope，Milton，Dante，Virgil，Shakespeare。Allthisreadingwastoomuchforherandexcitedherbrain。ShehadreservedChateaubriand’s_Rene_，and，onreadingthat，shewasovercomebythesadnesswhichemanatesfromthesedistressingpages。Shewasdisgustedwithlife，andattemptedtocommitsuicide。Shetriedtodrownherself，andonlyowedherlifetothehealthy—mindednessofthegoodmareColette，asthehorseevidentlyhadnotthesamereasonsasitsyoungmistressforwishingtoputanendtoitsdays。
　　AllthistimeAurorewasentirelyfreetopleaseherself。Deschartres，whohadalwaystreatedherasaboy，encouragedherindependence。
　　Itwasathisinstigationthatshedressedinmasculineattiretogooutshooting。Peoplebegantotalkabouther"eccentricities"
　　atLanderneau，andthegossipcontinuedasfarasLaChatre。
　　Addedtothis，Aurorebegantostudyosteologywithayoungmanwholivedintheneighbourhood，anditwassaidthatthisyoungman，StephaneAjassondeGrandsaigne，gaveherlessonsinherownroom。
　　Thiswastheclimax。
　　Wehaveacurioustestimonyasregardsthestateoftheyounggirl’smindatthisepoch。Areview，entitled_LeVoiledepourpre_，publishedrecently，initsfirstnumber，aletterfromAuroretohermother，datedNovember18，1821。Hermotherhadevidentlywrittentoheronhearingthegossipabouther，andhadprobablyenlargeduponit。
　　"Youreproachme，mother，withneitherhavingtimidity，modesty，norcharm，"shewrites，"oratleastyousupposethatIhavethesequalities，butthatIrefrainfromshowingthem，andyouarequitecertainthatIhavenooutwarddecencynordecorum。
　　Yououghttoknowmebeforejudgingmeinthisway。
　　Youwouldthenbeabletoformanopinionaboutmyconduct。
　　Grandmotherishere，and，illthoughsheis，shewatchesovermecarefullyandlovingly，andshewouldnotfailtocorrectmeifsheconsideredthatIhadthemannersofadragoonorofahussar。"
　　Sheconsideredthatshehadnoneedofanyonetoguideorprotecther，andnoneedofleading—strings。
　　"Iamseventeen，"shesays，"andIknowmywayabout。"
　　IfthisMonsieurdeGrandsaignehadventuredtotakeanylibertywithher，shewasoldenoughtotakecareofherself。
　　HermotherhadblamedherforlearningLatinandosteology。
　　"Whyshouldawomanbeignorant？"sheasks。"Canshenotbewelleducatedwithoutthisspoilingherandwithoutbeingpedantic？
　　SupposingthatIshouldhavesonsinthefuture，andthatIhadprofitedsufficientlybymystudiestobeabletoteachthem，wouldnotamother’slessonsbeasgoodasatutor’s？"
　　Shewasalreadychallengingpublicopinion，startingacampaignagainstfalseprejudices，showingatendencytogeneralize，andtomakethecauseofonewomanthecauseofallwomen。
　　Wemustnowbearinmindthevarioustraitswehavediscovered，oneafteranother，inAurore’scharacter。Wemustremembertowhatparentagesheowedherintellectualityandhersentimentality。
　　ItwillthenbemoreeasytounderstandthetermssheuseswhendescribingherfascinationforRousseau’swritings。
　　"ThelanguageofJean—Jacquesandtheformofhisdeductionsimpressedmeasmusicmighthavedonewhenheardinbrilliantsunshine。
　　IcomparedhimtoMozart，andIunderstoodeverything。"
　　Sheunderstoodhim，forsherecognizedherselfinhim。
　　Shesympathizedwiththatpredominanceoffeelingandimagination，thatexaggerationofsentiment，thatpreferenceforlifeaccordingtoNature，thatemotiononbeholdingthevarioussightsofthecountry，thatdistrustofpeople，thoseeffusionsofreligioussentimentality，thosesolitaryreveries，andthatmelancholywhichmadedeathseemdesirabletohim。AllthiswastoAuroreDupinthegospelaccordingtoRousseau。Thewholeofherpsychologyistobefoundhere。
　　Shewasanexceptionalbeingundoubtedly；butinordertobeagenialexceptiononemusthavewithinoneself，andthenpersonifywithgreatintensityalltheinspirationswhich，atacertainmoment，aredispersedintheatmosphere。EversincethegreatagitationwhichhadshakenthemoralworldbyRousseau’spreaching，therehadbeenvariousvaguecurrentsandawholecrowdofconfusedaspirationsfloatingabout。Itwasthisenormouswavethatenteredafemininesoul。
　　UnconsciouslyAuroreDupinwelcomedthenewideal，anditwasthisidealwhichwastooperatewithinher。Thequestionwas，whatwouldshedowithit，inpresenceoflifewithallitseverydayandsocialrealities。Thisquestionistheobjectofourstudy。
　　Inthesolutionofitliestheinterest，thedramaandthelessonofGeorgeSand’sdestiny。
　　II
　　BARONNEDUDEVANTMARRIAGEANDFREEDOM——THEARRIVALINPARIS——
　　JULESSANDEAU
　　WemustnowendeavourtodiscoverwhatthefutureGeorgeSand’sexperiencesofmarriagewere，andtheresultoftheseexperiencesontheformationofherideas。
　　"Youwillloseyourbestfriendinme，"werethelastwordsofthegrandmothertohergranddaughteronherdeath—bed。Theoldladyspoketruly，andAurorewasverysoontoprovethis。Byaclauseinherwill，MadameDupindeFrancueillefttheguardianshipofAuroretoacousin，RenedeVilleneuve。Itwasscarcelylikely，though，thatSophie—Victoireshouldconsenttoherownrightsbeingfrustratedbythisillegalclause，particularlyasthismanbelongedtotheworldofthe"oldCountesses。"ShetookherdaughterwithhertoParis。Unfortunatelyforher，Aurore’seyeswerenowopen，andshewasculturedenoughtohavebeeninentiresympathywithherexquisitegrandmother。Itwasnolongerpossibleforhertohavetheoldpassionateaffectionandindulgenceforhermother，especiallyasshefeltthatshehadhithertobeendesertedbyher。
　　Shesawhermothernowjustasshewas，alightwomanbelongingtothepeople，awomanwhocouldnotresignherselftogrowingold。
　　IfonlySophie—Victoirehadbeenofatranquildisposition！
　　Shewasmostrestless，onthecontrary，wantingtochangeherabodeandchangeherrestauranteveryday。Shewouldquarrelwithpeopleoneday，makeitupthenext；wearadifferent—shapedhateveryday，andchangethecolourofherhaircontinually。
　　Shewasalwaysinastateofagitation。Shelovedpolicenewsandthrillingstories；readthe_SherlockHolmes_ofthosedaysuntilthemiddleofthenight。Shedreamedofsuchstories，andthefollowingdaywentonlivinginanatmosphereofcrime。
　　Whenshehadanattackofindigestion，shealwaysimaginedthatshehadbeenpoisoned。Whenavisitorarrived，shethoughtitmustbeaburglar。ShewasmostsarcasticaboutAurore’s"fineeducation"
　　andherliteraryaspirations。Herhatredofthedeadgrandmotherwasasstrongasever。Shewasconstantlyinsultinghermemory，andinherfitsofangersaidunheard—ofthings。Aurore’ssilencewasheronlyreplytothesestorms，andthisexasperatedhermother。
　　Shedeclaredthatshewouldcorrectherdaughter’s"slyways。"
　　Aurorebegantowonderwithterrorwhetherhermother’smindwerenotbeginningtogiveway。Thesituationfinallybecameintolerable。
　　Sophie—Victoiretookherdaughtertospendtwoorthreedayswithsomefriendsofhers，andthenleftherthere。TheylivedinthecountryatPlessis—Picard，nearMelun。Aurorewasdelightedtofindavastparkwiththicketsinwhichtherewereroebucksboundingabout。
　　Shelovedthedeepgladesandthewaterwiththegreenreflectionsofoldwillowtrees。MonsieurJamesDuplessisandhiswife，Angele，wereexcellentpeople，andtheyadoptedAuroreforthetimebeing。
　　Theyalreadyhadfivedaughters，sothatonemoredidnotmakemuchdifference。Theyfrequentedafewfamiliesintheneighbourhood，andtherewasplentyofgaietyamongtheyoungpeople。TheDuplessistookAuroresometimestoParisandtothetheatre。
　　"Oneevening，"wearetoldinthe_Histoiredemavie_，"wewerehavingsomeicesatTortoni’safterthetheatre，whensuddenlymymotherAngelesaidtoherhusband，`Why，there’sCasimir！’Ayoungman，slenderandratherelegant，withagayexpressionandamilitarylook，cameandshookhands，andansweredallthequestionshewasaskedabouthisfather，ColonelDudevant，whowasevidentlyverymuchrespectedandlovedbythefamily。"
　　Thiswasthefirstmeeting，thefirstappearanceofCasimirinthestory，andthiswashowheenteredintothelifeofAurore。
　　HewasinvitedtoPlessis，hejoinedtheyoungpeoplegood—humouredlyintheirgames，wasfriendlywithAurore，and，withoutposingasasuitor，askedforherhandinmarriage。Therewasnoreasonforhertorefusehim。Hewastwenty—sevenyearsofage，hadservedtwoyearsinthearmy，andhadstudiedlawinParis。Hewasanaturalson，ofcourse，buthehadbeenrecognizedbyhisfather，ColonelDudevant。
　　TheDudevantfamilywasgreatlyrespected。Theyhada_chateau_
　　atGuilleryinGascony。Casimirhadbeenwellbroughtupandhadgoodmanners。Auroremightaswellmarryhimasanyotheryoungman。
　　Itwouldevenbepreferabletomarryhimratherthananotheryoungman。
　　Hewasalreadyherfriend，andhewouldthenbeherhusband。
　　Thatwouldnotmakemuchdifference。
　　Themarriagealmostfellthrough，thankstoSophie—Victoire。
　　ShedidnotconsiderCasimirgood—lookingenough。Shewasnotthinkingofherdaughter，butofherself。Shehadmadeuphermindtohaveahandsomeson—in—lawwithwhomshecouldgoout。
　　Shelikedhandsomemen，andparticularlymilitarymen。
　　Finallysheconsentedtothemarriage，but，afortnightbeforetheceremony，shearrivedatPlessis，likeaveritablethunderbolt。
　　Anextraordinaryideahadoccurredtoher。ShevowedthatshehaddiscoveredthatCasimirhadbeenawaiterata_cafe_。
　　Shehadnodoubtdreamtthis，butsheheldtohertext，andwasindignantattheideaofherdaughtermarryingawaiter！……
　　ThingshadarrivedatthiscrisiswhenCasimir’smother，MadameDudevant，whohadallthemannersofa_grandedame_，decidedtopaySophie—Victoireanofficialvisit。Thelatterwasgreatlyflattered，forshelikedplentyofattentionpaidtoher。
　　ItwasinthiswaythatAuroreDupinbecameBaronneDudevant。
　　Shewasjusteighteenyearsofage。Itisinterestingtoreadherdescriptionofherselfatthistime。Inher_VoyageenAuvergne_，whichwasherfirstwriting，dated1827，shetracesthefollowingportrait，whichcertainlyisnotexaggerated。
　　"WhenIwassixteen，"shesays，"andlefttheconvent，everyonecouldseethatIwasaprettygirl。Iwasfresh—looking，thoughdark。
　　Iwaslikethosewildflowerswhichgrowwithoutanyartorculture，butwithgay，livelycolouring。Ihadplentyofhair，whichwasalmostblack。Onlookingatmyselfintheglass，though，IcantruthfullysaythatIwasnotverywellpleasedwithmyself。
　　Iwasdark，myfeatureswerewellcut，butnotfinished。Peoplesaidthatitwastheexpressionofmyfacethatmadeitinteresting。
　　Ithinkthiswastrue。Iwasgaybutdreamy，andmymostnaturalexpressionwasameditativeone。Peoplesaid，too，thatinthisabsent—mindedexpressiontherewasafixedlookwhichresembledthatoftheserpentwhenfascinatinghisprey。That，atanyrate，wasthefar—fetchedcomparisonofmyprovincialadorers。"
　　Theywerenotveryfarwrong，theseprovincialadorers。TheportraitsofAuroreatthisdateshowusacharmingfaceofayounggirl，asfresh—lookingasachild。Shehasratherlongfeatures，withadelicately—shapedchin。Sheisnotexactlypretty，butfascinating，withthosegreatdarkeyes，whichwereherprominentfeature，eyeswhich，whenfixedonanyone，tookcompletepossessionofthem——dreamy，passionateeyes，sombrebecausethesoulreflectedinthemhadprofounddepths。
　　Itisdifficulttodefinethatsoul，foritwassocomplex。
　　Tojudgebyappearances，itwasaverypeacefulsoul，andperhaps，too，itwasinrealitypeaceful。GeorgeSand，whoknewherselfthoroughly，frequentlyspokeofherlazinessandofherapathy，traitspeculiartothenativesofBerry。Superficialobserverslookednofurther，andhermotherusedtocallher"St。Tranquillity。"
　　Thenuns，though，ofherconventhadmoreperspicacity。Theysaid，whenspeakingofher："Stillwatersrundeep。"Underthesmoothsurfacetheyfanciedthatstormsweregathering。Aurorehadwithinhersomethingofhermotherandofhergrandmother，andtheiroppositenatureswereblendedinher。ShehadthecalmnessofMarie—Aurore，butshealsohadtheimpetuousnessofSophie—Victoire，andundoubtedly，too，somethingofthefreeandeasygoodhumourofherfather，thebreak—neckyoungofficer。ItcertainlyisnotsurprisingtofindaloveofadventureinadescendantofMauricedeSaxe。
　　Besidealltheseinnercontrasts，theobserverwasparticularlystruckbyhersuddenchangesofhumour，bythewayinwhich，afterafitofmelancholysadness，shesuddenlygavewaytothemostexuberantgaiety，followedbylongfitsofdepressionandnervousexhaustion。
　　Personally，Idonotbelievemuchintheinfluenceofthephysicaloverthemoralnature，butIamfullyconvincedoftheactionofthemoraloverthephysicalnature。Incertaincasesandinpresenceofextremelyaccentuatedconditions，physiologicalexplanationsmustbetakenintoaccount。Allthesefitsofmelancholyandweeping，thisprostration，thesehighspiritsandthelongwalks，inordertosoberdown，denotetheexigenciesofanabnormaltemperament。
　　Whenoncethecrisiswaspassed，itmustnotbesupposedthat，aswithmanyotherpeople，nothingremainedofitall。Thiswasbynomeansthecase，asinanaturesoextraordinarilyorganizedforstoringupsensationsnothingwaslost，nothingevaporated，andeverythingincreased。Thestillwaterseemedtobeslumbering。
　　Itsviolence，thoughheldincheck，wasincreasinginforce，andwhenonceletloose，itwouldcarryallbeforeit。
　　SuchwasthewomanwhomCasimirDudevantwastomarry。
　　Thefascinationwasgreat；thehonourrathertobefeared，foralldependedonhisskillinguidingthispowerfulenergy。
　　Thequestioniswhetherhelovedher。Ithasbeensaidthatitwasamarriageofinterest，asAurore’sfortuneamountedtotwentythousandpounds，andhewasbynomeansrich。Thismayhavebeenso，butthereisnoreasonwhymoneyshoulddestroyone’ssentiments，andthefactthatAurorehadmoneywasnotlikelytopreventCasimirfromappreciatingthecharmsofaprettygirl。
　　Itseems，therefore，veryprobablethathelovedhisyoungwife，atanyrateasmuchasthisCasimirwascapableoflovinghiswife。
　　Thenextquestioniswhethershelovedhim。Ithasbeensaidthatshedid，simplybecauseshedeclaredthatshedidnot。
　　When，lateron，afterherseparation，shespokeofhermarriage，allherlatergrievanceswereprobablyinhermind。Thereareherearlierletters，though，whichsomepeopleconsideraproofthatshecaredforCasimir，andtherearealsoafewwordsjotteddowninhernotebook。Whenherhusbandwasabsent，shewasanxiousabouthimandfearedthathehadmetwithanaccident。Itwouldbestrangeindeedifagirlofeighteendidnotfeelsomeaffectionforthemanwhohadbeenthefirsttomakelovetoher，amanwhomshehadmarriedofherownfree—will。Itisrareforawomantofeelnokindofattachmentforherhusband，butisthatattachmentlove？
　　Whenayoungwifecomplainsofherhusband，wehearinherreproachestheprotestofheroffendeddignity，ofherhumbledpride。
　　Whenawomanlovesherhusband，though，shedoesnotreproachhim，guiltythoughhemaybe，withhavinghumiliatedandwoundedher。
　　Whatshehasagainsthimthen，isthathehasbrokenherheartbyhislackofloveforher。Thisnoteandthisaccentcanneverbemistaken，andneveroncedowefinditwithAurore。
　　Wemaythereforeconcludethatshehadneverlovedherhusband。
　　Casimirdidnotknowhowtowinheraffection。Hedidnotevenrealizethatheneededtowinit。Hewasverymuchlikeallmen。
　　Theideaneveroccurstothemthat，whenoncetheyaremarried，theyhavetowintheirwife。
　　Hewasverymuchlikeallmen……ThatisthemostfaithfulportraitthatcanbetracedofCasimiratthisepoch。
　　Hehadnotasyettheviceswhichdevelopedinhimlateron。
　　Hehadnothingtodistinguishhimfromtheaverageman。Hewasselfish，withoutbeingdisagreeable，ratheridle，ratherincapable，rathervainandratherfoolish。Hewasjustanordinaryman。
　　Thewifehehadmarried，though，wasnotanordinarywoman。
　　Thatwastheirmisfortune。AsEmileFaguethasverywittilyputit，"MonsieurDudevant，aboutwhomshecomplainedsomuch，seemstohavehadnootherfaultthanthatofbeingmerelyanordinaryman，which，ofcourse，isunendurabletoasuperiorwoman。
　　Thesituationwasperhapsequallyunendurablefortheman。"Thisisquiteright，forCasimirwasverysoonconsiderablydisconcerted。
　　Hewasincapableofunderstandingherpsychology，and，asitseemedimpossibletohimthatawomanwasnothisinferior，hecametothelogicalconclusionthathiswifewas"idiotic。"
　　Thiswaspreciselyhisexpression，andateveryopportunityheendeavouredtocrushherbyhisownsuperiority。Allthisseemstothrowsomelightonhischaracterandalsoonthesituation。
　　HerewasamanwhohadmarriedthefutureGeorgeSand，andhecomplained，inallgoodfaith，thathiswifewas"idiotic"！
　　Certainly，oncomparingthe_Correspondance_withthe_Histoiredemavie_，thedifferenceoftoneismoststriking。ThelettersinwhichBaronneDudevanttells，daybyday，ofherhomelifearetooenthusiasticforthelettersofanunhappywife。
　　TherearereceptionsatNohant，livelydinners，singinganddancing。
　　Allthisis，atanyrate，thesurface，butgraduallythemisunderstandingsaremorepronounced，andthegulfwidens。
　　Theremayhavebeenamisunderstandingattheverybeginningoftheirmarriedlife，andAuroremayhavehadasurpriseofthenatureoftheonetowhichJanedeSimeroseconfessesin_L’Amidesfemmes_。
　　Inanunpublishedletterwrittenmuchlateron，intheyear1843，fromGeorgeSandtoherhalf—brotherHippolyteChatironontheoccasionofhisdaughter’sengagement，thefollowinglinesoccur：
　　"Seethatyourson—in—lawisnotbrutaltoyourdaughterthefirstnightoftheirmarriage……Menhavenoideathatthisamusementoftheirsisamartyrdomforus。Tellhimtosacrificehisownpleasurealittle，andtowaituntilhehastaughthiswifegraduallytounderstandthingsandtobewilling。Thereisnothingsofrightfulasthehorror，thesufferingandthedisgustofapoorgirlwhoknowsnothingandwhoissuddenlyviolatedbyabrute。
　　Webringgirlsupasmuchaspossiblelikesaints，andthenwehandthemoverlikefillies。Ifyourson—in—lawisanintelligentmanandifhereallylovesyourdaughter，hewillunderstandhis_role_，andwillnottakeitamissthatyoushouldspeaktohimbeforehand。"[2]
　　[2]CommunicatedbyM。S。Rocheblave。
　　IsGeorgeSandrecallinghereanyhiddenandpainfulmemories？
　　Casimirhad，atbottom，acertainbrutality，which，lateron，wasveryevident。Thequestioniswhetherhehadshownproofsofitatatimewhenitwouldhavebeenwisertohaverefrained。
　　Howeverthatmaybe，thefundamentaldisagreementoftheirnatureswasnotlonginmakingitselffeltbetweenthehusbandandwife。
　　Hewasmatter—of—fact，andshewasromantic；heonlybelievedinfacts，andsheinideas；hewasoftheearth，earthy，whilstsheaspiredtotheimpossible。Theyhadnothingtosaytoeachother，andwhentwopeoplehavenothingtosay，andlovedoesnotfillupthesilences，whattorturethedaily_tete—a—tete_mustbe。
　　Beforetheyhadbeenmarriedtwoyears，theywereboredtodeath。
　　TheyblamedNohant，butthefaultwasinthemselves。Nohantseemedunbearabletothem，simplybecausetheyweretherealonewitheachother。
　　TheywenttoPlessis，perhapsinthehopethattheremembranceofthedaysoftheirengagementmighthavesomeeffectonthem。
　　Itwasthere，in1824，thatthefamoussceneoftheblowtookplace。
　　Theywereplayingataregularchildren’sgameinthepark，andthrowingsandateachother。Casimirlosthispatienceandstruckhiswife。Itwascertainlyimpolite，butAuroredidnotappeartohavebeenveryindignantwithherhusbandatthetime。
　　Hergrievanceswerequiteofanotherkind，lesstangibleandmuchmoredeeplyfelt。
　　FromPlessistheywenttoOrmesson。Wedonotknowwhattookplacethere，butevidentlysomethingwhichmadeadeepimpressionmorally，somethingveryserious。Afewyearslater，referringtothisstayatOrmesson，GeorgeSandwrotetooneofherfriends：
　　"Youpassbyawallandcometoahouse……IfyouareallowedtoenteryouwillfindadelightfulEnglishgarden，atthebottomofwhichisaspringofwaterhiddenunderakindofgrotto。
　　Itisallverystiffanduninteresting，butitisverylonely。
　　Ispentseveralmonthsthere，anditwastherethatIlostmyhealth，myconfidenceinthefuture，mygaietyandmyhappiness。
　　ItwastherethatIfelt，andverydeeplytoo，myfirstapproachoftrouble……"[3]
　　[3]ExtractfromtheunpublishedlettersofGeorgeSandtoDr。EmileRegnault。
　　TheyleftOrmessonforParis，andParisforNohant，andafterthat，bywayoftryingtoshakeoffthedulnessthatwasoppressingthem，theyhadrecoursetotheclassicalmodeofdiversion——avoyage。
　　Theysetoffonthe5thofJuly，1825，forthatfamousexpeditiontothePyrenees，whichwastobesoimportantalandmarkinAuroreDudevant’shistory。OncrossingthePyrenees，thescenery，sonewtoher——orratherthememoryofwhichhadbeenlyingdormantinhermindsinceherchildhood——filledherwithwildenthusiasm。
　　Thisintenseemotioncontributedtodevelopwithinherthatsenseofthepicturesquewhich，lateron，wastoaddsoconsiderablytohertalentasawriter。Shehadhithertobeenlivinginthecountryofplains，theIle—de—FranceandBerry。Thecontrastmadeherrealizeallthebeautiesofnature，and，onherreturn，sheprobablyunderstoodherownfamiliarscenery，andenjoyeditallthemore。
　　Shehadhithertoappreciateditvaguely。LamartinelearnttolovetheseveresceneryofMillybetteronreturningtoitafterthesoftnessofItaly。
　　ThePyreneesserved，too，forBaronneDudevantasthesettingforanepisodewhichwasuniqueinhersentimentallife。
　　Inthe_Histoiredemavie_thereisanenigmaticalpageinwhichGeorgeSandhasintentionallymeasuredandvelledeveryexpression。
　　Shespeaksofhermoralsolitude，which，atthattime，wasprofoundandabsolute，andsheadds："Itwouldhavebeenmortaltoatendermindandtoagirlintheflowerofheryouth，ifithadnotbeenfilledwithadreamwhichhadtakentheimportanceofagreatpassion，notinmylife，asIhadsacrificedmylifetoduty，butinmythoughts。
　　IwasincontinualcorrespondencewithanabsentpersontowhomI
　　toldallmythoughts，allmydreams，whoknewallmyhumblevirtues，andwhoheardallmyplatonicenthusiasm。Thispersonwasexcellentinreality，butIattributedtohimmorethanalltheperfectionspossibletohumannature。Ionlysawthismanforafewdays，andsometimesonlyforafewhours，inthecourseofayear。Hewasasromantic，inhisintercoursewithme，asIwas。Consequentlyhedidnotcausemeanyscruples，eitherofreligionorofconscience。
　　Thismanwasthestayandconsolationofmyexile，asregardstheworldofreality。"Itwasthisdream，asintenseasanypassion，thatwemuststudyhere。Wemustmaketheacquaintanceofthisexcellentandromanticman。
　　AureliendeSezewasayoungmagistrate，afewyearsolderthanAurore。
　　Hewastwenty—sixyearsofageandshewastwenty—one。Hewasthegreat—nephewofthecounselwhopleadedforLouisXVI。Therewas，therefore，inhisfamilyatraditionofmoralnobility，andtheyoungmanhadinheritedthis。HehadmetAuroreatBordeauxandagainatCauterets。TheyhadvisitedthegrottoesofLourdestogether。
　　Aurelienhadappreciatedtheyoungwife’scharm，althoughshehadnotattemptedtoattracthisattention，asshewasnotcoquettish。
　　Sheappreciatedinhim——allthatwassolackinginCasimir——
　　cultureofmind，seriousnessofcharacter，discreetmannerswhichpeopletookatfirstforcoldness，andasomewhatdignifiedelegance。
　　Hewasscrupulouslyhonest，amagistrateoftheoldschool，sureofhisprinciplesandmasterofhimself。Itwas，probably，justthatwhichappealedtotheyoungwife，whowasatruewomanandwhohadalwayswishedtobedominated。WhentheymetagainatBreda，theyhadanexplanation。Thiswasthe"violentgrief"
　　ofwhichGeorgeSandspeaks。Shewasconsoledbyafriend，ZoeLeroy，whofoundawayofcalmingthisstormysoul。Shecamethroughthiscrisiscrushedwithemotionandfatigue，butcalmandjoyful。
　　Theyhadvowedtoloveeachother，buttoremainwithoutreproach，andtheirvowwasfaithfullykept。
　　Aurore，therefore，hadnothingwithwhichtoreproachherself，butwithherinnateneedofbeingfrank，sheconsidereditherdutytowritealettertoherhusband，informinghimofeverything。
　　ThiswasthefamousletterofNovember8，1825。Lateron，in1836，whenhercaseforseparationfromherhusbandwasbeingheard，afewfragmentsofitwerereadbyherhusband’sadvocatewiththeideaofincriminatingher。Bywayofreplytothis，GeorgeSand’sadvocatereadtheentireletterinallitseloquenceandgenerosity。
　　Itwasgreetedbyburstsofapplausefromtheaudience。
　　Allthisisverysatisfactory。ItisexactlythesituationofthePrincessofClevesinMadamedeLafayette’snovel。ThePrincessofClevesacknowledgestoherhusbandtheloveshecannothelpfeelingforMonsieurdeNemours，andasksforhishelpandadviceashernaturalprotector。Thisfineproceedingisusuallyadmired，althoughitcostthelifeofthePrinceofCleves，whodiedbroken—hearted。Personally，Iadmireittoo，althoughattimesI
　　wonderwhetherweoughtnotrathertoseeinitanunconscioussuggestionofperversity。Thisconfessionoflovetothepersonwhoisbeing，asitwere，robbedofthatlove，isinitselfakindofsecretpleasure。Byspeakingofthelove，itbecomesmorereal，webringitouttolightinsteadoflettingitdieawayinthosehiddendepthswithinus，inwhichsomanyofthevaguesentimentswhichwehavenotcaredtodefine，eventoourselves，dieaway。
　　Manywomenhavepreferredthismoresilentway，inwhichtheyalonehavebeenthesufferers。Butsuchwomenarenottheheroinesofnovels。
　　Noonehasappreciatedtheirsacrifice，andtheythemselvescouldscarcelytellallthatithascostthem。
　　AureliendeSezehadtakenuponhimselfthe_role_ofconfidanttothissoulthathehadallottedtohimself。Hetookhis_role_
　　veryseriously，aswashiscustominallthings。Hebecametheyoungwife’sdirectorinallmattersofconscience。Theletterswhichhewrotetoherhavebeenpreserved，andweknowthembytheextractsandtheanalysisthatMonsieurRocheblavehasgivenusandbyhisincisivecommentariesofthem。[4]Theyarelettersofguidance，spiritualletters。Thelaicconfessorendeavours，beforeallthings，tocalmtheimpatienceofthissoulwhichismoreandmoreardentandmoreandmoretroubledeveryday。Hebattleswithherabouthermaniaofphilosophizing，herwishtosifteverythingandtogettothebottomofeverything。Stronginhisowncalmness，hekeptrepeatingtoherinahundreddifferentwaysthewords：
　　"Becalm！"Theadvicewasgood；theonlydifficultywasthefollowingoftheadvice。
　　[4]"GeorgeSandavantGeorgeSand，"byS。Rocheblave（_RevuedeParis_，December15，1894）。
　　Graduallytheprofessorlosthisholdonhispupil，foritseemsasthoughAurorewerethefirsttotire。Aurelienfinallybegantodoubttheefficacyofhispreaching。Theusualfateofsentimentsoutsidethecommonorderofthingsisthattheylastthelengthoftimethatacrisisofenthusiasmlasts。Thebestthingthatcanhappenthenisthattheirnatureshouldnotchange，thattheyshouldnotdeteriorate，asissooftenthecase。Whentheyremainintacttotheend，theyleavebehindthem，inthesoul，atrailoflight，atrailofcold，purelight。
　　Thedeclineofthisplatonic_liaison_withAureliendeSezedatesfrom1828。SomegraveeventsweretakingplaceatNohantaboutthistime。ForthelastfewyearsCasimirhadfallenintothevicesofcertaincountrysquires，orso—calledgentlemenfarmers。
　　Hehadtakentodrink，incompanywithHippolyteChatiron，anditseemsthattheintoxicationpeculiartothenativesofBerrytakesaheavyandnotagayform。Hehadalsotakentootherbadhabits，awayfromhomeatfirst，andlateronundertheconjugalroof。
　　Hewasparticularlypartialtothemaid—servants，and，thedayfollowingthebirthofherdaughter，Solange，Aurorehadanunpleasantsurprisewithregardtoherhusband。Fromthatdayforth，whathadhithertobeenonlyavaguewishonherpartbecameafixedideawithher，andshebegantoformplans。Acertainincidentservedasapretext。
　　Whenputtingsomepapersinorder，Aurorecameuponherhusband’swill。
　　Itwasamerediatribe，inwhichthefuture"deceased"gaveutterancetoallhispastgrievancesagainsthis_idiotic_wife。
　　Hermindwasmadeupirrevocablyfromthismoment。Shewouldhaveherfreedomagain；shewouldgotoParisandspendthreemonthsoutofsixthere。ShehadayoungtutorfromthesouthofFrance，namedBoucoiran，educatingherchildren。ThisBoucoiranneededtobetakentotaskconstantly，andBaronneDudevantdidnotsparehim。[5]
　　[5]AninstanceofherdispositionforlecturingwillbeseeninthefollowingcuriouslettersentbyGeorgeSandtoherfriendandneighbour，AdolpheDuplomb。Thisletterhasneverbeenpublishedbefore，andweoweourthanksforittoMonsieurCharlesDuplomb。
　　_Nohant，July_23，1830。
　　"Areyousoverymuchafraidofme，mypoorHydrogene？Youexpectagoodlectureandyouwillnotexpectinvain。Havepatience，though。Beforegivingyouthedressingyoudeserve，IwanttotellyouthatIhavenotforgottenyou，andthatIwasveryvexedonreturningfromParis，tofindmygreatsimpletonofasongone。
　　IamsousedtoseeingyoursolemnfacethatIquitemissit。
　　Youhaveagreatmanyfaults，butafterall，youareagoodsort，andintimeyouwillgetreasonable。Trytorememberoccasionally，mydearPlombeus，thatyouhavefriends。IfIwereyouronlyfriend，thatwouldbeagreatdeal，asIamtobedependedon，andamalwaysatmypostasafriend，althoughImaynotbeverytender。
　　Iamnotverypoliteeither，asIspeakthetruthplainly。