FrancoisonlycaresforMadeleine，though。Onthestage，welikeamantobeadoredbyallwomen，asthisseemstousaguaranteethathewillonlycareforoneofthem。
"Champi"isawordpeculiartoacertaindistrict，meaning"naturalson。"Dumas_fils_wroteaplayentitled_LeFilsnaturel_。
Theheroisalsoasuperiorman，whoplaysthepartofProvidencetothefamilywhichhasrefusedtorecognizehim。
In_Claudie_，asin_FrancoisleChampi_，theruralsettingisoneofthegreatcharmsoftheplay。Thefirstactisoneofthemostpicturesquescenesonthestage。Ittakesplaceinafarmyard，thedaywhenthereapershavefinishedtheirtask，whichisjustasawe—inspiringasthatofthesowers。Acart，drawnbyoxen，enterstheyard，bringingasheafalladornedwithribbonsandflowers。Theoldestofthelabourers，PereRemy，addressesafinecouplettothesheafofcornwhichhascostsomuchlabour，butwhichisdestinedtokeeplifeinthemall。
Claudieisoneofthoseyoungpeasantgirls，whomwemetwithinthenovelentitled_Jeanne_。Shehadbeenunfortunate，butJeanne，althoughvirtuousandpureherself，didnotdespiseher，forinthecountrythereisgreatlatitudeincertainmatters。
Thisisjusttheplainstory，butonthestageeverythingbecomesmoredramaticandistreatedinamoredetailedandsolemnfashion。
Claudie’smisfortunecauseshertobecomeasortofpersonageapart，anditraisesherveryhighinherownesteem。
"Iamnotafraidofanythingthatcanbesaidaboutme，"
observesClaudie，"for，onknowingthetruth，kind—hearted，uprightpeoplewillacknowledgethatIdonotdeservetobeinsulted。"
Heroldgrandfather，Remy，hascompletelyabsolvedher。
"Youhaverepentedandsufferedenough，andyouhaveworkedandweptandexpiatedenough，too，mypoorClaudie，"hesays。
Throughallthisshehasbecomeworthytomakeanexcellentmarriage。
Itisacaseofthatspecialmoralcodebywhich，afterfreelove，thefaultmustberecompensed。
ClaudieislaterontheJeannineofthe_IdeesdeMadameAubray_，theDeniseofAlexandreDumas。Sheistheunmarriedmother，whosemisfortuneshavenotcrushedherpride，who，afterbeingoutraged，hasarightnowtoadoubleshareofrespect。Thefirstgoodyoungmaniscalledupontoacceptherpastlife，forthereisalawofsolidarityintheworld。Thehumanspeciesisdividedintotwocategories，theoneisalwaysbusydoingharm，andtheotherisnaturallyobligedtogiveitselfuptomakinggoodtheharmdone。
_TheMariagedeVictorine_belongstoawell—knownkindofliteraryexercise，whichwasformerlyverymuchinhonourinthecolleges。
Thisconsistsintakingacelebratedworkattheplacewheretheauthorhasleftitandinimaginingthe"sequel。"Forinstance，afterthe_Cid_，therewouldbethemarriageofRodrigueandChimeneforus。Asacontinuationof_L’EcoledesFemmes_，thereistheresultofthemarriageoftheyoungHoracewiththetiresomelittleAgnes。Corneillegaveasequeltothe_Menteur_himself。
Fabred’Eglantinewrotethesequelto_LeMisanthrope_，andcalledit_LePhilintedeMoliere_。GeorgeSandgivesusherethesequelofSedaine’s_chef—d’oeuvre_（thatis，a_chef—d’oeuvre_
forSedaine），_LePhilosophesanslesavor。_
In_LePhilosophesanslesavoir_MonsieurVanderkeisanobleman，whohasbecomeamerchantinordertobeinaccordancewiththeideasofthetimes。HeisaFrenchman，buthehastakenaDutchnameoutofsnobbishness。HehasaclerkoraconfidentialservantnamedAntoine。
VictorineisAntoine’sdaughter。Vanderke’ssonistofightaduel，andfromVictorine’semotion，whilstawaitingtheresultofthisduel，itiseasytoseethatsheisinlovewiththisyoungman。
GeorgeSand’splayturnsonthequestionofwhatistobedonewhenthedaycomesforVictorinetomarry。Anexcellenthusbandisfoundforher，acertainFulgence，oneofMonsieurVanderke’sclerks。
Hebelongstoherownclass，andthisisconsideredoneoftheindispensableconditionsforhappinessinmarriage。Helovesher，sothateverythingseemstofavourVictorine。Wearedelighted，andshe，too，seemstobeingoodspirits，but，allthetimethatsheisreceivingcongratulationsandpresents，webegintoseethatshehassomegreattrouble。
"Silkandpearls！"sheexclaims；"oh，howheavytheyare，butIamsurethattheyareveryfine。Lace，too，andsilver；oh，suchaquantityofsilver。HowrichandfineandhappyIshallbe。
AndthenFulgenceissofondofme。"（Shegetssadderandsadder。）
"Andfatherissopleased。Howstrange。Ifeelstifled。"
（ShesitsdowninAntoinc’schair。）"Isthisjoy？……Ifeel……
Ah，ithurtstobeashappyasthis……"Sheburstsintotears。
Thissuppressedemotiontowhichshefinallygivesvent，andthisforcedsmilewhichendsinsobsareveryeffectiveonthestage。
Thequestionis，howcanVictorine’stearsbedried？ShewantstomarryyoungVanderke，thesonofherfather’semployer，insteadoftheclerk。Theonlythingis，then，toarrangethismarriage。
"Isitacrime，then，formybrothertoloveVictorine？"asksSophie，"andisitmadofmetothinkthatyouwillgiveyourconsent？"
"MydearSophie，"repliesMonsieurVanderke，"therearenounequalmarriagesinthesightofGod。AservitorlikeAntoineisafriend，andIhavealwaysbroughtyouuptoconsiderVictorineasyourcompanionandequal。"
Thisisthewaythefatherofthefamilyspeaks。Personally，Iconsiderhimratherimprudent。
Asthisplayisalreadyasequeltoanotherone，Idonotwishtoproposeasequelto_LeMariagedeVictorine_，butIcannothelpwonderingwhatwillhappenwhenVanderke’ssonfindshimselftheson—in—lawofanoldservant—man，andalsowhatwilloccurifheshouldtakehiswifetocallonsomeofhissister’sfriends。
Itseemstomethathewouldthenfindouthehad，madeamistake。
Amongthevariouspersonages，onlyoneappearstomequiteworthyofinterest，andthatispoorFulgence，whowassostraightforwardandhonest，andwhoistreatedsobadly。
ButhowdeepVictorinewas！Evenifweadmitthatshedidnotdeliberatelyschemeandplottogetherselfmarriedbythesonofthefamily，shedidinstinctivelyallthathadtobedoneforthat。Shewasverydeepinaninnocentway，andIhavecometotheconclusionthatsuchdeepnessisthemosttobefeared。
Iseequitewellallthatislackinginthesepieces，andthattheyarenotverygreat，butallthesametheyforma"theatre"apart。
ThereisunityinthistheatricalworkofGeorgeSand。Whetheritmakesaheroofthenaturalson，rehabilitatestheseducedgirl，orcriesdowntheideaof_mesalliances_，itisalwaysthesamefightinwhichitisengaged；itisalwaysfightingagainstthesameenemies，prejudiceandnarrow—mindedness。Onthestage，wecalleveryopinioncontrarytoourownprejudiceornarrow—mindedness。Thetheatrelivesbyfighting。Itmatterslittlewhattheauthorisattacking。
Hemaywagewarwithprinciples，prejudices，giants，orwindmills。
Providedthattherebeabattle，therewillbeatheatreforit。
ThefactthatGeorgeSand’stheatrewastheforerunnerofthetheatreofDumas_fils_givesitadditionalvalue。WehavealreadynoticedtheanalogyofsituationsandthekinshipoftheoriescontainedinGeorgeSand’sbestplaysandinthemostnotedonesbyDumas。
IhavenodoubtthatDumasowedagreatdealtoGeorgeSand。
Weshallseethathepaidhisdebtasonlyhecouldhavedone。
Heknewthenovelistwhenhewasquiteyoung，asDumas_pere_andGeorgeSandwereonveryfriendlyterms。InherlettertellingSainte—BeuvenottotakeMussettocallonher，asshethoughthimimpertinent，shetellshimtobringDumas_pere_，whomsheevidentlyconsideredwellbred。Asshewasafriendofhisfather’s，shewaslikeamotherfortheson。Thefirstlettertohiminthe_Correspondance_
isdated1850。Dumas_fils_wasthentwenty—sixyearsofage，andshecallshim"myson。"
Hehadnotwritten_LaDameauxCamelias_then。ItwasperformedforthefirsttimeinFebruary，1852。Hewasmerelytheauthorofafewsecond—ratenovelsandofavolumeofexecrablepoetry。
Hehadnotfoundouthiscapabilitiesatthattime。ThereisnodoubtthathewasgreatlystruckbyGeorgeSand’splays，imbuedastheywerewiththeideaswehavejustpointedout。
Allthisisworthyofnote，asitisessentialforunderstandingtheworkofAlexandreDumas_fils_。He，too，wasanaturalson，andhisillegitimatebirthhadcausedhimmuchsuffering。HewassenttothePensionGoubaux，andforseveralyearsheenduredthetorturehedescribeswithsuchharshnessatthebeginningof_L’AffaireClemenceau_。
Hewasexposedtoallkindsofinsultsandblows。Hisfirstcontactwithsocietytaughthimthatthissocietywasunjust，andthatitmadetheinnocentsuffer。Thefirstexperiencehehadwasthatofthecrueltyandcowardiceofmen。Hismindwasdeeplyimpressedbythis，andheneverlosttheimpression。Hedidnotforgive，butmadeithismissiontodenouncethepharisaicalattitudeofsociety。Hisideawastotreatmenaccordingtotheirmerits，andtopaythembackfortheblowshehadreceivedasachild。[49]
Itiseasy，therefore，tounderstandhowtheprivategrievancesofDumas_fils_hadpreparedhismindtowelcomeatheatrewhichtookthepartoftheoppressedandwagedwarwithsocialprejudices。
Iamfullyawareofthedifferenceintemperamentofthetwowriters。
Dumas_fils_，withhiskeenobservation，wasapessimist。
Hedespisedwoman，andheadvisesustokillher，underthepretextthatshehasalwaysremained"thestrumpetofthelandofNo。"althoughshemaybedressedinaWorthcostumeandwearaRebouxhat。
[49]SeeourstudyofDumas_fils_inavolumeentitled_Portraitsd’ecrivains。_
Asadramaticauthor，AlexandreDumas_fils_hadjustwhatGeorgeSandlacked。Hewasvigorous，hehadtheartofbrevityandbrilliantdialogue。ItisthankstoallthisthatwehaveoneofthemasterpiecesoftheFrenchtheatre，_LeMarquisdeVillemer_，asaresultoftheircollaboration。
WeknowfromGeorgeSand’slettersthesharethatDumas_fils_
hadinthiswork。Hehelpedhertotaketheplayfromhernovel，andtowritethescenario。Afterthis，whenoncetheplaywaswritten，hetouchedupthedialogue，puttinginmoreemphasisandbrilliancy。
ItwasDumas，therefore，whoconstructedtheplay。WeallknowhowcarelessGeorgeSandwaswithhercomposition。Shewrotewithscarcelyanyplaninhermindbeforehand，andletherselfbecarriedawaybyevents。Dumas’ideawasthatthe_denouement_
isamathematicaltotal，andthatbeforewritingthefirstwordofapiecetheauthormustknowtheendandhavedecidedtheaction。
TheatricalmanagerscomplainedofthesadnessofGeorgeSand’splays。
ItistoDumasthatweowethegaietyoftheDucd’Aleria’s_role_。
Itisonecontinualflowofamusingspeeches，anditsavesthepiecefromthedangeroffallingintotearfuldrama。GeorgeSandhadnowit，andDumas_fils_wasfullofit。Itwashewhoputintothedialoguethoselittlesayingswhicharesoeasilyrecognizedashis。
"Whatdothedoctorssay？"isasked，andthereplycomes：
"Whatdothedoctorssay？Well，theysayjustwhattheyknow：
theysaynothing。"
"MybrotherdeclaresthattheairofParisistheonlyairhecanbreathe，"saysanothercharacter。
"Congratulatehimformeonhislungs，"remarkshisinterlocutor。
"Herhusbandwasabaron……"remarkssomeone。
"Whoisnotabaronatpresent？"answersanotherperson。
Acertainelderlygovernessisbeingdiscussed。
"Didyounotknowher？"
"MademoiselleArtemise？No，monsieur。"
"Haveyoueverseenanalbatross？"
"No，never。"
"Notevenstuffed？Oh，youshouldgototheZoo。Itisacuriouscreature，withitsgreatbeakendinginahook……Iteatsalldaylong……Well，MademoiselleArtemise，etc……"
The_MarquisdeVillemer_isinitsplaceintheseriesofGeorgeSand’splays，andisquiteinaccordancewiththegeneraltoneofhertheatre。Itislikethe_MariagedeVictorine_overagain。
ThistimeVictorineisareader，whogetsherselfmarriedbyaMarquisnamedUrbain。Heisofagloomydisposition，sothatshewillnotenjoyhissocietymuch，butshewillbeaMarquise。
VictorineandCarolinearebothpersonswhoknowhowtomaketheirwayintheworld。Whentheyhaveason，Ishouldbeverymuchsurprisediftheyallowedhimtomakea_mesalliance_。
GeorgeSandwasoneofthepersonsforwhomDumas_fils_
hadthegreatestadmiration。Asaproofofthis，avoluminouscorrespondencebetweenthemexists。Ithasnotyetbeenpublished，butthereisapossibilitythatitmaybesomeday。Iremember，whentalkingwithDumas_fils_，thetermsinwhichhealwaysspokeof"lamereSand，"ashecalledherinafamiliarbutfilialway。
Hecomparedhertohisfather，andthatwasgreatpraiseindeedfromhim。
Headmiredinher，too，asheadmiredinhisfather，thatwealthofcreativepowerandimmensecapacityforuninterruptedwork。
Asaproofofthisadmiration，wehaveonlytoturntotheprefaceto_LeFilsnaturel_，inwhichDumasissofuriouswiththeinhabitantsofPalaiseau。GeorgeSandhadtakenupherabodeatPalaiseau，andDumashadbeentryinginvaintodiscoverheraddressinthedistrict，whenhecameacrossoneofthenatives，whorepliedasfollows："GeorgeSand？Waitaminute。Isn’titaladywithpapers？""Somuchfortheglory，"concludesDumas，"ofthoseofuswithpapers。"Accordingtohim，nowomanhadeverhadmoretalentorasmuchgenius。"ShethinkslikeMontaigne，"
hesays，"shedreamslikeOssianandshewriteslikeJean—Jacques。
Leonardosketchesherphrasesforher，andMozartsingsthem。
MadamedeSevignekissesherhands，andMadamedeStaelkneelsdowntoherasshepasses。"WecanscarcelyimagineMadamedeStaelinthishumbleposture，butoneofthecharmsofDumaswashisgenerousnature，whichsparednopraiseandwaslavishinenthusiasm。
Attheepochatwhichwehavenowarrived，GeorgeSandhadcommencedthatperiodoftranquillityandcalminwhichshewastospendtherestofherlife。Shehadgivenuppolitics，for，aswehaveseen，shewasquicklyundeceivedwithregardtothem，andcuredofherillusions。
Whenthe_coupd’etat_ofDecember，1851，tookplace，GeorgeSand，whohadbeenLedru—Rollin’scollaboratorandafriendofBarbes，soonmadeuphermindwhattodo。AsthedaughterofMurat’s_aide—de—camp_，shenaturallyhadacertainsympathywiththeBonapartists。
NapoleonIIIwasasocialist，sothatitwaspossibletocometoanunderstanding。WhentheprincehadbeenaprisoneratHam，hehadsentthenovelisthisstudyentitled_L’Extinctiondupauperisme_。
GeorgeSandtookadvantageofherformerintercoursewithhimtobegforhisindulgrenceinfavourofsomeofherfriends。
Thistimeshewasinherproper_role_，the_role_ofawoman。
The"tyrant"grantedthefavourssheasked，andGeorgeSandthencametotheconclusionthathewasagoodsortoftyrant。Shewasaccusedoftreason，butsheneverthelesscontinuedtospeakofhimwithgratitude。SheremainedongoodtermswiththeImperialfamily，particularlywithPrinceJerome，assheappreciatedhisintellect。
Sheusedtotalkwithhimonliteraryandphilosophicalquestions。
Shesenthimtwotapestryottomansoneyear，whichshehadworkedforhim。HersonMauricewentforacruisetoAmericaonPrinceJerome’syacht，andhewasthegodfatherofGeorgeSand’slittlegrandchildrenwhowerebaptizedasProtestants。
GeorgeSanddeservesspecialmentionforherscienceintheartofgrowingold。Itisnotascienceeasytomaster，andpersonallythisisoneofmyreasonsforadmiringher。Sheunderstoodwhatacharmthereisinthattimeoflifewhenthevoiceofthepassionsisnolongerheard，sothatwecanlistentothevoiceofthingsandexaminethelessonoflife，thattimewhenourreasonmakesusmoreindulgent，whenthesadnessofearthlyseparationsissoftenedbythethoughtthatweshallsoongoourselvestojointhosewhohaveleftus。WethenbegintohaveaforetasteofthecalmnessofthatGreatSleepwhichistoconsoleusattheendofalloursufferingsandgrief。GeorgeSandwasfullyawareofthechangethathadtakenplacewithinher。Shesaid，severaltimesover，thattheageofimpersonalityhadarrivedforher。Shewasdelightedathavingescapedfromherselfandatbeingfreefromegoism。
Fromhenceforthshecouldgiveherselfuptothesentimentswhich，inpedanticandbarbarousjargon，arecalledaltruisticsentiments。
Bythiswemeanmotherlyandgrandmotherlyaffection，devotiontoherfamily，andenthusiasmforallthatisbeautifulandnoble。
Shewasdelightedwhenshewastoldofagenerousdeed，andcharmedbyabookinwhichshediscoveredtalent。Itseemedtoherasthoughshewereinsomewayjointauthorofit。
"MyheartgoesouttoallthatIseedawningorgrowing……"
shewrote，atthistime。"Whenweseeorreadanythingbeautiful，doesitnotseemasthoughitbelongstousinaway，thatitisneitheryoursnormine，butthatitbelongstoallwhodrinkfromitandarestrengthenedbyit？"[50]
[50]_Correspondance：_ToOctaveFeuillet，February27，1859。
Thisisanoblesentiment，andlessrarethanisgenerallybelieved。
Thepubliclittlethinksthatitisoneofthegreatjoysofthewriter，whenhehasreachedacertainage，toadmiretheworksofhisfellow—writers。GeorgeSandencouragedheryoung_confreres_，Dumas_fils_，FeuilletandFlaubert，atthebeginningoftheircareer，andhelpedthemwithheradvice。
Wehaveplentyofinformationaboutheratthisepoch。Herintimatefriends，inquisitivepeopleandpersonspassingthroughParis，havedescribedtheirvisitstoheroverandoveragain。WehavetheimpressionsnoteddownbytheGoncourtbrothersintheir_Jounal_。
Weallknowhowmuchtotrusttothisdiary。WhenevertheGoncourtsgiveusanidea，anopinion，oradoctrine，itisaswelltobewaryinacceptingit。Theywerenotveryintelligent。Idonotwish，insayingthis，todetractfromthem，butmerelytodefinethem。
Ontheotherhand，whattheysaw，theysawthoroughly，andtheynotedthegenerallook，theattitudeorgesturewithgreatcare。
WegivetheirimpressionsofGeorgeSand。InMarch，1862，theywenttocallonher。ShewasthenlivinginParis，intheRueRacine。
Theygiveanaccountofthisvisitintheirdiary。
"_March_30，1862。
"Onthefourthfloor，No。2，RueRacine。Alittlegentleman，verymuchlikeeveryoneelse，openedthedoortous。Hesmiled，andsaid：`MessieursdeGoncourt！’andthen，openinganotherdoor，showedusintoaverylargeroom，akindofstudio。
"Therewasawindowatthefarend，andthelightwasgettingdim，foritwasaboutfiveo’clock。Wecouldseeagreyshadowagainstthepalelight。Itwasawoman，whodidnotattempttorise，butwhoremainedimpassivetoourbowandourwords。Thisseatedshadow，lookingsodrowsy，wasMadameSand，andthemanwhoopened。
thedoorwastheengraverManceau。MadameSandislikeanautomaticmachine。Shetalksinamonotonous，mechanicalvoicewhichsheneitherraisesnorlowers，andwhichisneveranimated。
Inherwholeattitudethereisasortofgravityandplacidness，somethingofthehalf—asleepairofapersonruminating。
Shehasveryslowgestures，thegesturesofasomnambulist。Withamechanicalmovementshestrikesawaxmatch，whichgivesaflicker，andlightsthecigarsheisholdingbetweenherlips。
"MadameSandwasextremelypleasant；shepraisedusagreatdeal，butwithachildishnessofideas，aplatitudeofexpressionandamournfulgood—naturednessthatwasaschillingasthebarewallofaroom。Manceauendeavouredtoenliventhedialogue。
WetalkedofhertheatreatNohant，wheretheyactforherandforhermaiduntilfourinthemorning……Wethentalkedofherprodigiousfacultyforwork。Shetoldusthattherewasnothingmeritoriousinthat，asshehadalwaysworkedsoeasily。
Shewriteseverynightfromoneo’clockuntilfourinthemorning，andshewritesagainforabouttwohoursduringtheday。
Manceauexplainseverything，ratherlikeanexhibitorofphenomena。
`Itisallthesametoher，’hetoldus，`ifsheisdisturbed。
Supposeyouturnonatapatyourhouse，andsomeonecomesintheroom。Yousimplyturnthetapoff。ItislikethatwithMadameSand。’"
TheGoncourtbrotherswereextremelycleverindetractingfromthemeritsofthepeopleaboutwhomtheyspoke。TheytellusthatGeorgeSandhad"achildishnessinherideasandaplatitudeofexpression。"
Theywereunkindwithoutendeavouringtobeso。Theyrandownpeopleinstinctively。Theywereeminentlyliterarymen。Theywerealsoartisticwriters，andhadeveninvented"artisticwriting，"
buttheyhadverylittleincommonwithGeorgeSand’sattitudeofmind。Toherthetheoryofartforthesakeofarthadalwaysseemedaveryhollowtheory。Shewroteaswellasshecould，butsheneverdreamedoftheprofessionofwritinghavinganythingincommonwithanacrobaticdisplay。
InSeptember，1863，theGoncourtbrothersagainspeakofGeorgeSand，tellingusaboutherlifeatNohant，orratherputtingtheaccounttheygiveintothemouthofTheophileGautier。HehadjustreturnedfromNohant，andhewasaskedifitwasamusingatGeorgeSand’s。
"JustasamusingasamonasteryoftheMoravianbrotherhood，"
hereplies。"Iarrivedthereintheevening，andthehouseisalongwayfromthestation。Mytrunkwasputintoathicket，andonarrivingIenteredbythefarminthemidstofallthedogs，whichgavemeafright……"
Asamatteroffact，Gautier’sarrivalatNohanthadbeenquiteadramaticpoem，halftragicandhalfcomic。AbsolutefreedomwastheruleofNohant。Everyonethereread，wrote，orwenttosleepaccordingtohisownwillandpleasure。GautierarrivedinthatframeofmindpeculiartotheParisianofformerdays。
HeconsideredthathehadgivenaproofofheroisminventuringoutsidethewallsofParis。Hethereforeexpectedaheartywelcome。
Hewasverymuchannoyedathisreception，andwasabouttostartbackagainimmediately，whenGeorgeSandwasinformedofhisarrival。
Shewasextremelyvexedatwhathadhappened，andexclaimed，"ButhadnotanyonetoldhimhowstupidIam！"
TheGoncourtbrothersaskedGautierwhatlifeatNohantwaslike。
"Luncheonisatten，"hereplied，"andwhenthefingerwasonthehour，wealltookourseats。MadameSandarrived，lookinglikeasomnambulist，andremainedhalfasleepallthroughthemeal。
Afterluncheonwewentintothegardenandplayedat_cochonnet_。
Thisrousedher，andshewouldthensitdownandbegintotalk。"
Itwouldhavebeenmoreexacttosaythatshelistened，asshewasnotagreattalkerherself。Shehadahorrorofacertainkindofconversation，ofthatfutile，paradoxicalandspasmodickindwhichisthespecialityof"brillianttalkers。"Sparklingconversationofthissortdisconcertedherandmadeherfeelillatease。
Shedidnotlikethetopictobetheliteraryprofessioneither。
ThisexasperatedGautier，whowouldnotadmitoftherebeinganythingelseintheworldbutliterature。
"Atthreeo’clock，"hecontinued，"MadameSandwentawaytowriteuntilsix。Wethendined，butwehadtodinequickly，sothatMarieCaillotwouldhavetimetodine。MarieCaillotistheservant，asortoflittleFadettewhomMadameSandhaddiscoveredintheneighbourhoodforplayingherpieces。
ThisMarieCaillotusedtocomeintothedrawing—roomintheevening。
AfterdinnerMadameSandwouldplaypatience，withoututteringaword，untilmidnight……Atmidnightshebegantowriteagainuntilfouro’clock……Youknowwhathappenedonce。Somethingmonstrous。
Shefinishedanovelatoneo’clockinthemorning，andbegananotherduringthenight……TomakecopyisafunctionwithMadameSand。"
ThemarionettetheatrewasoneoftheNohantamusements。Oneofthejoysofthefamily，andalsooneofthedelightsof_dilettanti_，[51]
wasthepaintingofthescenery，themanufacturingofcostumes，theworkingoutofscenarios，dressingdollsandmakingthemtalk。
[51]"TheindividualnamedGeorgeSandisverywell。HeisenjoyingthewonderfulwinterwhichreignsinBerry；hegathersflowers，pointsoutanyinterestingbotanicalanomalies，sewsdressesandmantlesforhisdaughter—in—law，andcostumesforthemarionettes，cutsoutstagescenery，dressesdollsandreadsmusic……"——_Correspondance：_ToFlaubert，January17，1869。
Inoneofhernovels，publishedin1857，GeorgeSandintroducestousacertainChristianWaldo，whohasamarionetteshow。
Heexplainstheattractionofthiskindoftheatreandthefascinationofthese_burattini_，whichwerelivingbeingstohim。
Thoseamonguswho，somefifteenyearsago，wereinfatuatedbyasimilarshow，arenotsurprisedatWaldo’swords。ThemarionettestowhichwereferweretobeseeninthePassageVivienne。
Sacredplaysinverseweregiven，andthemanagerswereMonsieurRichepinandMonsieurBouchor。Forsuchplayswepreferredactorsmadeofwoodtoactorsoffleshandblood，asthereisalwaysacertaindesecrationotherwiseinactingsuchpieces。
GeorgeSandrarelyleftNohantnowexceptforherlittleflatinParis。Inthespringof1855，shewenttoRomeforashorttime，butdidnotenjoythisvisitmuch。Shesumsupherimpressionsinthefollowingwords："Romeisaregularsee—saw。"Theruinsdidnotinteresthermuch。
"Afterspendingseveraldaysinvisitingurns，tombs，cryptsandcolumns，onefeelstheneedofgettingoutofallthisalittleandofseeingNature。"
Nature，however，didnotcompensatehersufficientlyforherdisappointmentintheruins。
"TheRomanCampagna，whichhasbeensomuchvaunted，iscertainlysingularlyimmense，butitissobare，flatanddeserted，somonotonousandsad，milesandmilesofmeadow—landineverydirection，thatthelittlebrainonehasleft，afterseeingthecity，isalmostoverpoweredbyitall。"
Thisjourneyinspiredherwithoneoftheweakestofhernovels，_LaDaniella_。ItisthediaryofapainternamedJeanValreg，whomarriedalaundry—girl。In1861，afteranillness，shewenttoTamaris，inthesouthofFrance。Thisnameisthetitleofoneofhernovels。Shedoesnotcareforthisplaceeither。
Sheconsidersthatthereistoomuchwind，toomuchdust，andthattherearetoomanyolive—treesinthesouthofFrance。
Iamconvincedthatatanearliertimeinherlifeshewould，havebeenwonoverbythefascinationofRome。ShehadcomprehendedthecharmofVenicesoadmirably。Atanearlierdate，too，shewouldnothavebeenindifferenttothebeautiesofProvence，asshehaddelightedinmeridionalNaturewheninMajorca。
Theyearswereover，though，forhertoenjoythevarietyofoutsideshowswithalltheirphantasmagoria。Atimecomesinlife，andithadalreadycomeforher，whenwediscoverthatNature，whichhasseemedsovaried，isthesameeverywhere，thatwehavequitenearusallthatwehavebeensofarawaytoseek，alittleofthisearth，alittlewaterandalittlesky。Wefind，too，thatwehaveneitherthetimenortheinclinationtogoawayinsearchofallthiswhenourhoursarecountedandwefeeltheendnear。
Theessentialthingthenistoreserveforourselvesalittlespaceforourmeditations，betweentheagitationsoflifeandthatmomentwhichalonedecideseverythingforus。
X
THEGENIUSOFTHEWRITER
CORRESPONDENCEWITHFLAUBERT——LASTNOVELS
Withthatmaternalinstinctwhichwassostrongwithinher，GeorgeSandcouldnotdowithouthavingachildtoscold，directandtaketotask。
Theonetowhomshewastodevotethelasttenyearsofherlife，whoneededherbeneficentaffectionmorethananyofthoseshehadadopted，wasakindofgiantwithhairturnedbackfromhisforeheadandathickmoustachelikeaNormanoftheheroicages。HewasjustsuchamanaswecanimaginethepiratesinDucRollo’sboats。
ThisdescendantoftheVikingshadbeenbornintimesofpeace，andhissoleoccupationwastoendeavourtoformharmoniousphrasesbyavoidingassonances。
IdonotthinktherehavebeentwoindividualsmoredifferentfromeachotherthanGeorgeSandandGustaveFlaubert。Hewasanartist，andsheinmanyrespectswas_bourgeoise_。Hesawallthingsattheirworst；shesawthembetterthantheywere。Flaubertwrotetoherinsurpriseasfollows："Inspiteofyourlargesphinxeyes，youhaveseentheworldthroughgoldcolour。"
Shelovedthelowerclasses；hethoughtthemdetestable，andqualifieduniversalsuffrageas"adisgracetothehumanmind。"
Shepreachedconcord，theunionofclasses，whilsthegavehisopinionasfollows：
"Ibelievethatthepoorhatetherich，andthattherichareafraidofthepoor。Itwillbelikethiseternally。"
Itwasalwaysthus。Oneverysubjecttheopinionoftheonewassuretobethedirectoppositeoftheopinionoftheother。
Thiswasjustwhathadattractedthem。
"Ishouldnotbeinterestedinmyself，"GeorgeSandsaid，"ifI
hadthehonourofmeetingmyself。"ShewasinterestedinFlaubert，asshehaddivinedthathewasherantithesis。
"ThemanwhoisJustpassing，"saysFantasio，"ischarming。Thereareallsortsofideasinhismindwhichwouldbequitenewtome。"
GeorgeSandwantedtoknowsomethingoftheseideaswhichwerenewtoher。SheadmiredFlaubertonaccountofallsortsofqualitieswhichshedidnotpossessherself。Shelikedhim，too，asshefeltthathewasunhappy。
Shewenttoseehimduringthesummerof1866。TheyvisitedthehistoricstreetsandoldpartsofRouentogether。Shewasbothcharmedandsurprised。Shecouldnotbelievehereyes，asshehadneverimaginedthatallthatexisted，andsonearParis，too。
ShestayedinthathouseatCroissetinwhichFlaubert’swholelifewasspent。ItwasahousewithwidewindowsandaviewovertheSeine。Thehoarse，monotonoussoundofthechaintowingtheheavyboatsalongcouldbehearddistinctlywithintherooms。
Flaubertlivedtherewithhismotherandniece。ToGeorgeSandeverythingthereseemedtobreatheoftranquillityandcomfort，butatthesametimeshebroughtawaywithheranimpressionofsadness。SheattributedthistothevicinityoftheSeine，comingandgoingasitdoesaccordingtothebar。
"Thewillowsoftheisletsarealwaysbeingcoveredanduncovered，"
shewrites；"italllooksverycoldandsad。[52]
[52]_Correspondance：_ToMauriceSand，August10，1866。
Shewasnotreallyduped，though，byherownexplanation。Sheknewperfectlywellthatwhatmakesahousesadorgay，warmoricy—coldisnottheoutlookontothesurroundingcountry，butthesoulofthosewhoinhabititandwhohavefashioneditintheirownimage。
Shehadjustbeenstayinginthehouseofthemisanthropist。
WhenMoliereputthemisanthropistonthestagewithhiswretched—lookingface，hegavehimsomeofthefeatureswhichremindussostronglyofFlaubert。ThemostordinaryandeverydayeventswerealwaysenoughtoputAlcesteintoarage。
ItwasjustthesamewithFlaubert。Everydaythingswhichwearephilosophicalenoughtoaccepttookhisbreathaway。Hewasangry，andhewantedtobeangry。Hewasirritatedwitheveryoneandwitheverything，andhecultivatedthisirritation。Hekepthimselfinacontinualstateofexasperation，andthiswashisnormalstate。
Inhislettershedescribedhimselfas"worriedwithlife，"
"disgustedwitheverything，""alwaysagitatedandalwaysindignant。"
Hespells_hhhindignant_withseveralh’s。Hesignshisletters，"TheReverendFatherCruchardoftheBarnabiteOrder，directoroftheLadiesofDisenchantment。"Addedtoallthis，althoughtheremayhavebeenacertainamountofposeinhisattitude，hewassincere。
He"roared"inhisownstudy，whenhewasquitealoneandtherewasnoonetobeaffectedbyhisroaring。Hewasorganizedinaremarkablewayforsuffering。Hewasbothromanticandrealistic，akeenobserverandanimaginativeman。Heborrowedsomeofthemostpitifultraitsfromreality，andrecomposedthemintoaregularnightmare。
WeagreewithFlaubertthatinjusticeandnonsensedoexistinlife。
ButhegivesusNonsenseitself，theseven—headedandten—hornedbeastoftheApocalypse。Heseesthisbeasteverywhere，ithauntshimandblocksupeveryavenueforhim，sothathecannotseethesublimebeautiesofthecreationnorthesplendourofhumanintelligence。
Inreplytoallhiswildharangues，GeorgeSandgiveswiseanswers，smilingasshegivesthem，andusinghercommonsensewithwhichtoprotectherselfagainstthetrickeryofwords。Whathashetocomplainof，thisgrown—upchildwhoistoonaiveandwhoexpectstoomuch？Bywhatextraordinarymisfortunehashesuchanexceptionallyunhappylot？Heisfairlywelloffandhehasgreattalent。Howmanypeoplewouldenvyhim！Hecomplainsoflife，suchasitisforeveryone，andofthepresentconditionsoflife，whichhadneverbeenbetterforanyoneatanyepoch。Whatistheuseofgettingirritatedwithlife，sincewedonotwishtodie？
Humanityseemeddespicabletohim，andhehatedit。Washenotapartofthishumanityhimself？Insteadofcursingourfellow—menforawholecrowdofimperfectionsinherenttotheirnature，woulditnotbemorejusttopitythemforsuchimperfections？
Astostupidityandnonsense，ifheobjectedtothem，itwouldbebettertopaynoattentiontothem，insteadofwatchingoutforthemallthetime。Besideallthis，istherenotmorereasonthanweimagineforeveryoneofustobeindulgenttowardsthestupidityofotherpeople？
"Thatpoorstupidityofwhichwehearsomuch，"exclaimedGeorgeSand。
"Idonotdislikeit，asIlookonitwithmaternaleyes。"
Thehumanraceisabsurd，undoubtedly，butwemustownthatwecontributeourselvestothisabsurdity。
ThereissomethingmorbidinFlaubert’scase，andwithequalclearnessofvisionGeorgeSandpointsouttohimthecauseofitandtheremedy。
Themorbidnessiscausedinthefirstplacebyhisloneliness，andbythefactthathehasseveredallbondswhichunitedhimtotherestoftheuniverse。Woebetothosewhoarealone！Theremedyisthenextconsideration。Istherenot，somewhereintheworld，awomanwhomhecouldloveandwhowouldmakehimsuffer？Istherenotachildsomewherewhosefatherhecouldimaginehimselftobe，andtowhomhecoulddevotehimself？Suchisthelawoflife。
Existenceisintolerabletousaslongasweonlyaskforourownpersonalsatisfaction，butitbecomesdeartousfromthedaywhenwemakeapresentofittoanotherhumanbeing。
Therewasthesameantagonismintheirliteraryopinions。
Flaubertwasanartist，thetheoristofthedoctrineofartforart，suchasTheophileGautier，theGoncourtbrothersandtheParnassianscomprehendedit，ataboutthesameepoch。Itissingularlyinterestingtohearhimformulateeacharticleofthisdoctrine，andtohearGeorgeSand’sferventprotestationsinreply。
Flaubertconsidersthatanauthorshouldnotputhimselfintohiswork，thatheshouldnotwritehisbookswithhisheart，andGeorgeSandanswers：
"Idonotunderstandatall，then。Ohno，itisallincomprehensibletome。"
Withwhatwasanauthortowritehisbooks，ifnotwithhisownsentimentsandemotions？Washetowritethemwiththeheartsofotherpeople？Flaubertmaintainedthatanauthorshouldonlywriteforabouttwentypersons，unlesshesimplywroteforhimself，"likea_bourgeois_turninghisserviette—ringsroundinhisattic。"
GeorgeSandwasofopinionthatanauthorshouldwrite"forallthosewhocanprofitbygoodreading。"Flaubertconfessesthatifattentionbepaidtotheolddistinctionbetweenmatterandform，heshouldgivethegreaterimportancetoform，inwhichhehadareligiousbelief。
Heconsideredthatinthecorrectnessoftheputtingtogether，intherarityoftheelements，thepolishofthesurfaceandtheperfectharmonyofthewholetherewasanintrinsicvirtue，akindofdivineforce。Inconclusion，headds：
"Iendeavourtothinkwellalways，_inorderto_writewell，butIdonotconcealthefactthatmyobjectistowritewell。"
This，then，wasthesecretofthatworkingupofthestyle，untilitbecameamaniawithhimanddevelopedintoatorture。
WeallknowofthedaysofanguishwhichFlaubertspentinsearchingforawordthatescapedhim，andtheweeksthathedevotedtoroundingoffoneofhisperiods。Hewouldneverwritethesedownuntilhehadsaidthemtohimself，or，asheputithimself，until"theyhadgonethroughhisjaw。"Hewouldnotallowtwocomplementsinthesamephrase，andwearetoldthathewasillafterreadinginoneofhisownbooksthefollowingwords："Unecouronne_de_
fleurs_d_’oranger。"
"Youdonotknowwhatitis，"hewrote，"tospendawholedayholdingone’sheadandsqueezingone’sbrainstofindaword。Ideasflowwithyoufreelyandcontinually，likeastream。Withmetheycomeliketricklingwater，anditisonlybyahugeworkofartthatI
cangetawaterfall。Ah，Ihavehadsomeexperienceoftheterribletortureofstyle！"No，GeorgeSandcertainlyhadnoexperienceofthiskind，andshecouldnotevenconceiveofsuchtorture。
Itamazedhertohearofsuchpainfullabour，for，personally，sheletthewindplayonher"oldharp"justasitlisted。
Briefly，sheconsideredthatherfriendwasthevictimofahopelesserror。Hetookliteraturefortheessentialthing，buttherewassomethingbeforeallliterature，andthatsomethingwaslife。
"TheHolyofHolies，asyoucallliterature，isonlysecondarytomeinlife。Ihavealwayslovedsomeonebetterthanit，andmyfamilybetterthanthatsomeone。"
This，then，wasthekeynoteoftheargument。GeorgeSandconsideredthatlifeisnotonlyapretextforliterature，butthatliteratureshouldalwaysrefertolifeandshouldberegulatedbylife，asbyamodelwhichtakestheprecedenceofitandgoesfarbeyondit。This，too，isouropinion。
ThestateofmindwhichcanbereadbetweenthelinesinGeorgeSand’sletterstoFlaubertisserenity，andthisisalsothecharacteristicofherworkduringthelastperiodofherlife。Her"laststyle"
isthatof_JeandelaRocke_，publishedin1860。Ayoungnobleman，JeandelaRoche，loseshishearttotheexquisiteLoveButler。
Shereturnshisaffection，butthejealousyofayoungbrotherobligesthemtoseparate。Inordertobenearthewomanheloves，JeandelaRochedisguiseshimselfasaguide，andaccompaniesthewholefamilyinanexcursionthroughtheAuvergnemountains。
Ayoungnoblemanasaguideisbynomeansanordinarything，butinloveaffairssuchdisguisesareadmitted。LoversinthewritingsofMarivauxtookthepartsofservants，andinformerdaysnoonewassurprisedtomeetwithprincesindisguiseonthehigh—roads。
GeorgeSand’smasterpieceofthiskindisundoubtedly_LeMarquisdeVillemer_，publishedin1861。Aprovincial_chateau_，anoldaristocraticwoman，scepticalandindulgent，twobrotherscapableofbeingrivalswithoutceasingtobefriends，ayounggirlofnoblebirth，butpoor，calumnybeingspreadabroad，butquicklyrepudiated，somewonderfulpagesofdescription，andsomeelegant，sinuousconversations。Allthishasacertaincharm。
ThepoorgirlmarriestheMarquisintheend。This，too，isareturntoformerdays，tothedayswhenkingsmarriedshepherdesses。
Thepleasurethatwehaveinreadingsuchnovelsisverymuchlikethatwhichweusedtofeelonhearingfairy—stories。
"Ifsomeoneweretotellmethestoryof_Peaud’Ane_，Ishouldbedelighted，"confessedLaFontaine，andsurelyitwouldbebadformtobemoredifficultandover—nicethanhewas。Bigchildrenasweare，weneedstorieswhichgivefoodtoourimagination，afterbeingdisappointedbytherealitiesoflife。Thisisperhapstheveryobjectofthenovel。Romanceisnotnecessarilyanexaggeratedaspirationtowardsimaginarythings。Itissomethingelsetoo。
ItistherevoltofthesoulwhichisoppressedbytheyokeofNature。Itistheexpressionofthattendencywithinustowardsafreedomwhichisimpossible，butofwhichweneverthelessdream。
Anironlawpresidesoverourdestiny。Aroundusandwithinus，theseriesofcausesandeffectscontinuestounwinditshardchain。
Everysingleoneofourdeedsbearsitsconsequence，andthisgoesontoeternity。Everyfaultofourswillbringitschastisement。
Everyweaknesswillhavetobemadegood。Thereisnotamomentofoblivion，notaninstantwhenwemayceasetobeonourguard。
Romanticillusionis，then，justanattempttoescape，atleastinimagination，fromthetyrannyofuniversalorder。
Itisimpossible，inthisvolume，toconsiderallGeorgeSand’sworks。
Someofherothersarecharming，butthewholeserieswouldperhapsappearsomewhatmonotonous。Thereis，however，onenovelofthisepochtowhichwemustcallattention，asitislikeaburstofthunderduringcalmweather。ItalsorevealsanaspectofGeorgeSand’sideaswhichshouldnotbepassedoverlightly。
ThisbookwasperhapstheonlyoneGeorgeSandwroteundertheinfluenceofanger。Wereferto_MademoiselleLaQuintinie_。
OctaveFeuillethadjustpublishedhis_HistoiredeSibylle_，andthisbookmadeGeorgeSandfuriouslyangry。Weareatalosstocomprehendherindignation。Feuillet’snovelisverygracefulandquiteinoffensive。Sibylleisafancifulyoungperson，whofromherearliestchildhooddreamsofimpossiblethings。
Shewantshergrandfathertogetastarforher，andanothertimeshewantstorideontheswan’sbackasitswimsinthepool。
Whensheisbeingpreparedforherfirstcommunion，shehasdoubtsaboutthetruthoftheChristianreligion，butonenight，duringastorm，thepriestoftheplacespringsintoaboatandgoestotherescueofsomesailorsinperil。Allthedifficultiesoftheologicalinterpretationsareatoncedispelledforher。
Ayoungmanfallsinlovewithher，butondiscoveringthatheisnotabelieversheendeavourstoconverthim，andgoesmoonlightwalkswithhim。Moonlightissometimesdangerousforyounggirls，and，afteroneofthesesentimentalandtheologicalstrolls，shehasamysteriousailment……
InordertounderstandGeorgeSand’sangeronreadingthisnovel，whichwasbothreligiousandsocial，andatthesametimeveryharmless，wemustknowwhatherstateofmindwasontheessentialquestionofreligion。
Inthefirstplace，GeorgeSandwasnothostiletoreligiousideas。
Shehadareligion。ThereisaGeorgeSandreligion。Therearenotmanydogmas，andthecreedissimple。GeorgeSandbelievedfirmlyintheexistenceofGod。WithoutthenotionofGod，nothingcanbeexplainedandnoproblemsolved。ThisGodisnotmerelythe"firstcause。"ItisapersonalandconsciousGod，whoseessential，ifnotsole，functionistoforgive——everyone。
"Thedogmaofhell，"shewrites，"isamonstrosity，animposture，abarbarism……ItisimpioustodoubtGod’sinfinitepity，andtothinkthatHedoesnotalwayspardon，eventhemostguiltyofmen。"Thisiscertainlythemostcompleteapplicationthathaseverbeenmadeofthelawofpardon。ThisGodisnottheGodofJacob，norofPascal，norevenofVoltaire。HeisnotanunknownGodeither。
HeistheGodofBerangerandofallgoodpeople。GeorgeSandbelievedalso，veryfirmly，intheimmortalityofthesoul。
Onlosinganyofherfamily，thecertaintyofgoingtothemsomedaywashergreatconsolation。
"Iseefutureandeternallifebeforemeasacertainty，"shesaid；
"itislikealight，and，thankstoitsbrilliancy，otherthingscannotbeseen；butthelightisthere，andthatisallIneed。"
Herbeliefwas，then，intheexistenceofGod，thegoodnessofProvidenceandtheimmortalityofthesoul。GeorgeSandwasanadeptinnaturalreligion。
Shedidnotaccepttheideaofanyrevealedreligion，andtherewasoneoftheserevealedreligionsthatsheexecrated。
ThiswastheCatholicreligion。HercorrespondenceonthissubjectduringtheperiodoftheSecondEmpireismostsignificant。
ShewasapersonalenemyoftheChurch，andspokeoftheJesuitsasasubscribertothe_Siecle_mightdoto—day。ShefearedthedaggeroftheJesuitsforNapoleonIII，butatthesametimeshehopedtheremightbeafrustratedattemptatmurder，sothathiseyesmightbeopened。Thegreatdangerofmoderntimes，accordingtoher，wasthedevelopmentoftheclericalspirit。
Shewasnotanadvocateforlibertyofeducationeither。
"Thepriestlyspirithasbeenencouraged，"shewrote。[53]"Franceisoverrunwithconvents，andwretchedfriarshavebeenallowedtotakepossessionofeducation。"SheconsideredthatwherevertheChurchwasmistress，itleftitsmarks，whichwereunmistakable：
stupidityandbrutishness。ShegaveBrittanyasanexample。
[53]_Correspondance：_ToBarbes，May12，1867。
"Thereisnothingleft，"shewrites，"whenthepriestandCatholicvandalismhavepassedby，destroyingthemonumentsoftheoldworldandleavingtheirliceforthefuture。"[54]
[54]_Ibid。：_ToFlaubert，September21，1860。
Itisnouseattemptingtoignorethefact。Thisisanti—clericalisminallitsviolence。Isitnotcuriousthatthispassion，whenonceittakespossessionofeventhemostdistinguishedminds，causesthemtoloseallsentimentofmeasure，ofproprietyandofdignity。
_MademoiselleLaQuintinie_istheresultofafitofanti—clericalmania。GeorgeSandgives，inthisnovel，thecounterpartof_Sibylle_。
EmileLemontier，afree—thinker，isinlovewiththedaughterofGeneralLaQuintinie。Emileistroubledinhismindbecause，ashis_fiancee_isaCatholic，heknowsshewillhavetohaveaconfessor。
Theideaisintolerabletohim，as，likeMonsieurHomais，heconsidersthatahusbandcouldnotenduretheideaofhiswifehavingprivateconversationswithoneofthoseindividuals。MademoiselleLaQuintinie’sconfessorisacertainMoreali，anearrelativeofEugeneSue’sRodin。ThewholenovelturnsonthestrugglebetweenEmileandMoreali，whichendsinthefinaldiscomfitureofMoreali。
MademoiselleLaQuintinieistomarryEmile，whowillteachhertobeafree—thinker。EmileisproudofhisworkofdrawingasoulawayfromChristiancommunion。Heconsidersthatthelightofreasonisalwayssufficientforilluminatingthepathinawoman’slife。
Hethinksthathernaturalrectitudewillprovesufficientformakingagoodwomanofher。Idonotwishtocallthisintoquestion，butevenifsheshouldnoterr，isitnotpossiblethatshemaysuffer？
Thisfree—thinkerimaginesthatitispossibletotearbelieffromaheartwithoutrendingitandcausinganincurablewound。
Oh，whatapoorpsychologist！Heforgetsthatbeliefisthesummingupandthecontinuationofthebeliefofawholeseriesofgenerations。Hedoesnothearthedistantmurmuroftheprayersofby—goneyears。Itisinvaintoendeavourtostiflethoseprayers；
theywillbeheardforeverwithinthecrushedanddesolatesoul。
_MademoiselleLaQuintinie_isaworkofhatred。GeorgeSandwasnotsuccessfulwithit。Shehadnovocationforwritingsuchbooks，andshewasnotaccustomedtowritingthem。Itisanovelfulloftiresomedissertations，anditisextremelydull。
Fromthatdate，though，GeorgeSandexperiencedthejoyofacertainpopularity。Attheatricalperformancesandatfuneralsthestudentsmanifestedinherhonour。ItwasthesameforSainte—Beuve，butthisdoesnotseemtohavemadeeitherofthemanygreater。
Wewillpassoverallthis，andturntosomethingthatwecanadmire。
TherobustandtriumphantoldageofGeorgeSandwasadmirable。
NearlyeveryyearshewenttosomefreshplaceinFrancetofindasettingforherstories。Shehadtoearnherlivingtotheverylast，andwasdoomedtowritenovelsforever。"IshallbeturningmywheelwhenIdie，"sheusedtosay，and，afterall，thisistheproperendingforaliteraryworker。
In1870and1871，shesufferedalltheanguishofthe"TerribleYear。"
Whenoncethenightmarewasover，shesettoworkoncemorelikeatruedaughterofcourageousFrance，unwillingtogivein。
Shewasashardyasironasshegrewold。"Iwalktotheriver，"
shewrotein1872，"andbatheinthecoldwater，warmasIam……Iamofthesamenatureasthegrassinthefield。
SunshineandwaterareallIneed。"
Forawomanofsixty—eighttobeabletobatheeverydayinthecoldwateroftheIndreisagreatdeal。InMay，1876，shewasnotwell，andhadtostayinbed。Shewasillfortendays，anddiedwithoutsufferingmuch。SheisburiedatNohant，accordingtoherwishes，sothatherlastsleepisinherbelovedBerry。
Inconclusion，wewouldsayjustafewwordsaboutGeorgeSand’sgenius，andtheplacethatshetakesinthehistoryoftheFrenchnovel。
OncomparingGeorgeSandwiththenovelistsofhertime，whatstrikesusmostishowdifferentshewasfromthem。SheisneitherlikeBalzac，Stendhal，norMerimee，noranystory—tellerofourthoughtful，cleverandrefinedepoch。Sheremindsusmoreofthe"oldnovelists，"
ofthosewhotoldstoriesofchivalrousdeedsandofoldlegends，or，togostillfurtherback，sheremindsusofthe_aedes_ofoldGreece。
Intheearlydaysofanationtherewerealwaysmenwhowenttothecrowdandcharmedthemwiththestoriestheytoldinawordyway。
Theyscarcelyknewwhethertheyinventedthesestoriesastheytoldthem，orwhethertheyhadheardthemsomewhere。Theycouldnottelleitherwhichwasfictionandwhichreality，forallrealityseemedwonderfultothem。Allthepeopleaboutwhomtheytoldweregreat，allobjectsweregoodandeverythingbeautiful。
Theyminglednursery—taleswithmythsthatwerequitesensible，andthehistoryofnationswithchildren’sstories。Theywerecalledpoets。
GeorgeSanddidnotemployaversifiedformforherstories，butshebelongedtothefamilyofthesepoets。Shewasapoetherselfwhohadlostherwayandcomeintoourcenturyofprose，andshecontinuedhersinging。
Liketheseearlypoets，shewasprimitive。Likethem，sheobeyedagodwithinher。Allhertalentwasinstinctive，andshehadalltheeaseofinstinctivetalent。WhenFlaubertcomplainedtoGeorgeSandofthe"tortures"thatstylecosthim，sheendeavouredtoadmirehim。
"WhenIseethedifficultythatmyoldfriendhasinwritinghisnovel，Iamdiscouragedaboutmyowncase，andIsaytomyselfthatIamwritingpoorsortofliterature。"
Thiswasmerelyhercharity，forsheneverunderstoodthattherecouldbeanyeffortinwriting。Consequentlyshecouldnotunderstandthatitshouldcausesuffering。Forher，writingwasapleasure，asitwasthesatisfactionofaneed。Asherworkswerenoefforttoher，theyleftnotraceinhermemory。Shehadnotintendedtowritethem，and，whenoncewritten，sheforgotthem。
"_ConsueloandLaComtessedeRudolstadt_，whatarethesebooks？"
sheasks。"DidIwritethem？Idonotrememberasinglewordofthem。"
Hernovelswerelikefruit，which，whenripe，fellawayfromher。
GeorgeSandalwaysreturnedtothecelebrationofcertaingreatthemeswhicharetheeternalsubjectsofallpoetry，subjectssuchasloveandnature，andsentimentslikeenthusiasmandpity。
Theverylanguagecompletestheillusion。Thechoiceofwordswasoftenfarfromperfect，asGeorgeSand’svocabularywasoftenuncertain，andherexpressionlackedprecisionandrelief。Butshehadthegiftofimagery，andherimageswerealwaysdelightfullyfresh。
Sheneverlostthatrarefacultywhichshepossessedofbeingsurprisedatthings，sothatshelookedateverythingwithyouthfuleyes。
Thereisacertainmovementwhichcarriesthereaderon，andarhythmthatissoothing。ShedevelopstheFrenchphraseslowlyperhaps，butwithoutanyconfusion。Herlanguageislikethoseriverswhichflowalongfullandlimpid，betweenflowerybanksandoasesofverdure，riversbythesideofwhichthetravellerlovestolingerandtolosehimselfindreams。
ThesharewhichbelongstoGeorgeSandinthehistoryoftheFrenchnovelisthatofhavingimpregnatedthenovelwiththepoetryinherownsoul。Shegavetothenovelabreadthandarangewhichithadneverhithertohad。ShecelebratedthehymnofNature，ofloveandofgoodnessinit。SherevealedtousthecountryandthepeasantsofFrance。Shegavesatisfactiontotheromantictendencywhichisineveryoneofus，toamoreorlessdegree。
Allthisismoreeventhanisneededtoensureherfame。Shedeniedeverhavingwrittenforposterity，andshepredictedthatinfiftyyearsshewouldbeforgotten。Itmaybethattherehasbeenforher，asthereisforeveryillustriousauthorwhodies，atimeoftestandaperiodofneglect。Thetriumphofnaturalism，byinfluencingtasteforatime，mayhavestoppedourreadingGeorgeSand。
Atpresentwearejustastiredofdocumentaryliteratureaswearedisgustedwithbrutalliterature。Wearegraduallycomingbacktoabettercomprehensionofwhatthereisof"truth"inGeorgeSand’sconceptionofthenovel。Thismaybesummedupinafewwords——
tocharm，totouchandtoconsole。Thoseofuswhoknowsomethingoflifemayperhapswonderwhethertoconsolemaynotbethefinalaimofliterature。GeorgeSand’sliteraryidealmaybereadinthefollowingwords，whichshewrotetoFlaubert：
"Youmakethepeoplewhoreadyourbooksstillsadderthantheywerebefore。Iwanttomakethemlessunhappy。"Shetriedtodothis，andsheoftensucceededinherattempt。Whatgreaterpraisecanwegivetoherthanthat？Andhowcanwehelpaddingalittlegratitudeandaffectiontoouradmirationforthewomanwhowasthegoodfairyofthecontemporarynovel？