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。