Thatismycharacteristic，though。Iamafirmfriendnevertheless，andtobedependedon。DonotforgetwhatIhavesaidnow，asIshallnotoftenrepeatthis。Remember，too，thathappinessinthisworlddependsontheinterestandesteemthatweinspire。
Idonotsaythistoeveryone，asitwouldbeimpossible，butjusttoacertainnumberoffriends。Itisimpossibletofindone’shappinessentirelyinone’sself，withoutbeinganegoist，andIdonotthinksobadlyofyouthatIimagineyoutobeone。
Amanwhomnoonecaresforiswretched，andthemanwhohasfriendsisafraidofgrievingthembybehavingbadly。AsPolytesays，allthisisforthesakeoflettingyouknowthatyoumustdoyourbesttobehavewell，ifyouwanttoprovetomethatyouarenotungratefulformyinterestinyou。Yououghttogetridofthebadhabitofboastingthatyouhaveadoptedthroughfrequentingyoungmenasfoolishasyourself。Dowhateveryourpositionandyourhealthallowyoutodo，providedthatyoudonotcompromisethehonourorthereputationofanyoneelse。
Idonotseethatayoungmaniscalledupontobeaschasteasanun。
Butkeepyourgoodorbadluckinyourloveaffairstoyourself。
Sillytalkisalwaysrepeated，anditmaychancetogettotheearsofsensiblepeoplewhowilldisapprove。Try，too，nottomakesomanyplans，buttocarryoutjustoneortwoofthem。YouknowthatiswhyIquarrelwithyoualways。Ishouldliketoseemoreconstancyinyou。YoutellHippolytethatyouareverywillingandcourageous。Astophysicalcourage，ofthekindthatconsistsinenduringillnessandinnotfearingdeath，Idaresayyouhavethat，butIdoubtverymuchwhetheryouhavethecouragenecessaryforsustainedwork，unlessyouhaveverymuchaltered。
Everythingfreshdelightsyou，butafteralittletimeyouonlyseetheinconveniencesofyourposition。Youwillscarcelyfindanythingwithoutsomethingthatisannoyingandtroublesome，butifyoucannotlearntoputupwiththingsyouwillneverbeaman。
\"Thisistheendofmysermon。Iexpectyouhavehadenoughofit，especiallyasyouarenotaccustomedtoreadingmybadhandwriting。
Ishallbegladtohearfromyou，butdonotconsideryourletterasaStateaffair，anddonottormentyourselftoarrangewell—turnedphrases。Idonotcareforsuchphrasesatall。
Aletterisalwaysgoodenoughwhenthewriterexpresseshimselfnaturally，andsayswhathethinks。Finepagesareallverywellfortheschoolmaster，butIdonotappreciatethematall。
Promisemetobereasonable，andtothinkofmysermonsnowandthen。
ThatisallIask。YoumaybeverysurethatifitwerenotformyfriendshipforyouIshouldnottakethetroubletolectureyou。
Ishouldbeafraidofannoyingyouifitwerenotforthat。
Asitis，Iamsurethatyouarenotdispleasedtohavemylectures，andthatyouunderstandthefeelingwhichdictatesthem。
\"Adieu，mydearAdolphe。Writetomeoftenandtellmealwaysaboutyouraffairs。Takecareofyourself，andtrytokeepwell；
butifyoushouldfeelillcomebacktoyournativeplace。
Therewillalwaysbemilkandsyrupforyou，andyouknowthatIamnotabadnurse。Everyonewishestoberememberedtoyou，andI
sendyoumyholyblessing。
\"AURORED————\"
{Theendoffootnote[5]}
Sheconsideredhimidle，andreproachedhimwithhislackofdignityandwithmakinghimselftoofamiliarwithhisinferiors。
Shecouldnotadmitthisfamiliarity，althoughshewascertainlyafriendofthepeopleandofthepeasants。Betweensympathyandfamiliaritytherewasadistinction，andAuroretookcarenottoforgetthis。Therewasalwayssomethingofthe_grandedame_
inher。Boucoiranwasdevoted，though，andshecountedonhimforlookingafterherchildren，forkeepingherstrictly_aucourant_，andlettingherknowincaseofillness。Perfectlyeasyonthisscore，shecouldliveinParisonanincomeofsixtypoundsbyaddingtoitwhatshecouldearn。
Casimirmadenoobjections。Allthathappenedlateroninthisexistence，whichwasfromhenceforthsostormy，happenedwithhisknowledgeandwithhisconsent。Hewasapoorsortofman。
Letusconsidernow，foramoment，BaronneDudevant’simpressionsaftersuchamarriage。Wewillnotspeakofhersadnessnorofherdisgust。
Inaunionofthiskind，howcouldthesacredandbeneficialcharacterofmarriagehaveappearedtoher？Ahusbandshouldbeacompanion。
Sheneverknewthecharmoftrueintimacy，northedelightofthoughtssharedwithanother。Ahusbandisthecounsellor，thefriend。
Whensheneededcounsel，shewasobligedtogoelsewhereforit，anditwasfromanothermanthatguidanceandencouragementcame。
Ahusbandshouldbetheheadand，Idonothesitatetosay，themaster。Lifeisaceaselessstruggle，andthemanwhohastakenuponhimselfthetaskofdefendingafamilyfromallthedangerswhichthreatenitsdissolution，fromalltheenemieswhichprowlaroundit，canonlysucceedinhistaskofprotectorifhebeinvestedwithjustauthority。Aurorehadbeentreatedbrutally：
thatisnotthesamethingasbeingdominated。Thesensationwhichneverleftherwasthatofanimmensemoralsolitude。
ShecouldnolongerdreamintheNohantavenues，fortheoldtreeshadbeenlopped，andthemysterychasedaway。Sheshutherselfupinhergrandmother’slittleboudoir，adjoiningherchildren’sroom，sothatshecouldhearthembreathing，andwhilstCasimirandHippolyteweregettingabominablyintoxicated，shesattherethinkingthingsover，andgraduallybecomingsoirritatedthatshefelttherebellionwithinhergatheringforce。Thematrimonialbondwasaheavyyoketoher。
AChristianwifewouldhavesubmittedtoitandacceptedit，buttheChristianityofBaronneDudevantwasnothingbutreligiosity。
Thetrialsoflifeshowuptheinsufficiencyofreligioussentimentwhichisnotaccompaniedbyfaith。Marriage，withoutlove，friendship，confidenceandrespect，wasforAuroremerelyaprison。
Sheendeavouredtoescapefromit，andwhenshesucceededsheutteredasighofreliefatherdeliverance。
Such，then，isthechapterofmarriageinBaronneDudevant’spsychology。
Itisafineexampleoffailure。Thewomanwhohadmarriedbadlynowremainedanindividual，insteadofharmonizingandblendinginageneralwhole。Thisill—assortedunionmerelyaccentuatedandstrengthenedGeorgeSand’sindividualism。
AuroreDudevantarrivedinParisthefirstweekoftheyear1831。
Thewomanwhowasrebellioustomarriagewasnowinacitywhichhadjusthadarevolution。
TheextraordinaryeffervescenceofParisin1831canreadilybeimagined。
Therewastempestintheair，andthistempestwasboundtobreakouthereorthere，eitherimmediatelyorinthenearfuture，inaninsurrection。Everyonewasfeverishlyanxioustodestroyeverything，inordertocreateallthingsanew。Ineverything，inart，ideasandevenincostume，therewasthesameexplosionofindiscipline，thesametriumphofcapriciousness。Everydaysomefreshsystemofgovernmentwasborn，somenewmethodofphilosophy，aninfalliblereceiptforbringingaboutuniversalhappiness，anunheard—ofideaformanufacturingmasterpieces，someinventionfordressingupandhavingaperpetualcarnivalinthestreets。
Theinsurrectionwaspermanentandmasqueradeanormalstate。
Besidesallthis，therewasamagnificentburstofyouthandgenius。
VictorHugo，proudofhavingfoughtthebattleof_Hernani_，wasthenthinkingof_Notre—Dame_andclimbinguptoit。
Mussethadjustgivenhis_Contesd’Espagneeld’Italie_。Stendhalhadpublished_LeRougeetleNoir_，andBalzac_LaPeaudeChagrin_。
ThepaintersofthedaywereDelacroixandDelaroche。PaganiniwasabouttogivehisfirstconcertattheOpera。SuchwasParisinallitsimpatienceandimpertinence，initsconfusionanditssplendourimmediatelyaftertheRevolution。
Theyoungwife，whohadsnappedherbondsasunder，breathedvoluptuouslyinthisatmosphere。ShewaslikeaprovincialwomanenjoyingParistothefull。Shebelongedtotheromanticschool，andwasimbuedwiththeprinciplethatanartistmustseeeverything，knoweverything，andhaveexperiencedhimselfallthatheputsintohisbooks。
ShefoundalittlegroupofherfriendsfromBerryinParis，amongothersFelixPyat，CharlesDuvernet，AlphonseFleury，SandeauanddeLatouche。Thiswasthebandshefrequented，youngmenapprenticedeithertoliterature，thelaw，ormedicine。
Withthemshelivedastudent’slife。Inordertofacilitatehervariousevolutions，sheadoptedmasculinedress。Inher_Histoitedemavie_shesays：\"Fashionhelpedmeinmydisguise，formenwerewearinglong，squarefrock—coatsstyleda_laproprietaire_。
Theycamedowntotheheels，andfittedthefiguresolittlethatmybrother，whenputtinghison，saidtomeonedayatNohant：
`Itisanicecut，isn’tit？Thetailortakeshismeasuresfromasentry—box，andthecoatthenfitsawholeregiment。’Ihad`asentry—boxcoat’made，ofroughgreycloth，withtrousersandwaistcoattomatch。Withagreyhatandahugecravatofwoollenmaterial，Ilookedexactlylikeafirst—yearstudent……\"
Dressedinthisstyle，sheexploredthestreets，museums，cathedrals，libraries，painters’studios，clubsandtheatres。SheheardFrederickLemaitreoneday，andthenextdayMalibran。OneeveningitwasoneofDumas’pieces，andthenextnight_Moise_attheOpera。
Shetookhermealsatalittlerestaurant，andshelivedinanattic。
Shewasnotevensureofbeingabletopayhertailor，soshehadallthejoyspossible。\"Ah，howdelightful，toliveanartist’slife！
Ourdeviceisliberty！\"shewrote。[6]Shelivedinaperpetualstateofdelight，and，inFebruary，wrotetohersonMauriceasfollows：
\"Everyoneisatloggerheads，wearecrushedtodeathinthestreets，thechurchesarebeingdestroyed，andwehearthedrumbeingbeatenallnight。\"[7]InMarchshewrotetoCharlesDuvernet：\"Doyouknowthatfinethingsarehappeninghere？Itreallyisamusingtosee。
Wearelivingjustasgailyamongbayonetsandriotsasifeverythingwereatpeace。Allthisamusesme。\"[8]
[6]_Correspondance_：ToBoucoiran，March4，1831。[7]_Ibid_。
ToMauriceDudevant，February15，I831。[8]_Ibid_。ToCharlesDuvernet，March6，1831。
Shewasamusedateverythingandsheenjoyedeverything。
Withherkeensensitiveness，sherevelledinthecharmofParis，andshethoroughlyappreciateditsscenery。
\"Paris，\"shewrote，\"withitsvaporousevenings，itspinkcloudsabovetheroofs，andthebeautifulwillowsofsuchadelicategreenaroundthebronzestatueofouroldHenry，andthen，too，thedearlittleslate—colouredpigeonsthatmaketheirnestsintheoldmasksofthePontNeuf……\"[9]
[9]UnpublishedlettersofDr。EmileRegnault。
ShelovedtheParissky，sostrange—looking，sorichincolouring，sovariable。[10]
[10]_Ibid_。
ShebecameunjustwithregardtoBerry。\"AsforthatpartoftheworldwhichIusedtolovesodearlyandwhereIusedtodreammydreams，\"shewrote，\"Iwasthereattheageoffifteen，whenI
wasveryfoolish，andattheageofseventeen，whenIwasdreamyanddisturbedinmymind。Ithaslostitscharmformenow。\"[11]
[11]_Ibid_。
Sheloveditagainlateron，certainly，butjustatthistimeshewasover—excitedwiththejoyofhernewly—foundliberty。Itwasthatreallywhichmadehersojoyfulandwhichintoxicatedher。
\"Idonotwantsociety，excitement，theatres，ordress；whatIwantisfreedom，\"shewrotetohermother。Inanotherlettershesays：
\"Iamabsolutelyindependent。IgotoLaChatre，toRome。Istartoutatteno’clockoratmidnight。Ipleasemyselfentirelyinallthis。\"[12]
[12]_Correspondance_：Tohermother，May31，1831。
Shewasfree，andshefanciedshewashappy。HerhappinessatthatepochmeantJulesSandeau。
Inaletter，writteninthehumoristicstyleinwhichshedelighted，shegivesusportraitsofsomeofhercomradesofthattime。
ShetellsusofDuvernet，ofAlphonseFleury，surnamed\"theGaulois，\"
andofSandeau。
\"Oh，fair—hairedCharles！\"shewrites，\"youngmanofmelancholythoughts，withacharacterasgloomyasastormyday……
Andyou，giganticFleury，withyourimmensehandsandyouralarmingbeard……Andyou，dearSandeau，agreeableandlight，likethehummingbirdoffragrantsavannahs！\"[13]
[13]_Correspondance_：December1，1830。
The\"dearSandeau，agreeableandlight，likethehummingbirdoffragrantsavannahs，\"wastobeBaronneDudevant’sLatinQuarter_liaison_。Herbiographersusuallypassoverthis_liaison_quickly，asinformationaboutitwasnotforthcoming。
Importantdocumentsexist，though，intheformoffiftyletterswrittenbyGeorgeSandtoDr。EmileRegnault，thenamedicalstudentandtheintimatefriendandconfidantofJulesSandeau，whokeptnothingbackfromhim。Hisson，Dr。PaulRegnault，haskindlyallowedmetoseethiscorrespondenceandtoreproducesomefragmentsofit。Itisextremelycurious，byturnlyricalandplayful，fullofeffusions，ideas，plansofwork，impressionsofnature，andconfidencesaboutherloveaffairs。Takenaltogetheritreflects，asnearlyaspossible，thestateoftheyoungwoman’smindatthistime。
ThefirstletterisdatedApril，1831。GeorgeSandhadleftParisforNohant，andisanxiouslywonderinghowherpoorJuleshaspassedthiswretchedday，andhowhewillgobacktotheroomfromwhichshehadtornherselfwithsuchdifficultythatmorning。
Inherlettershegivesutterancetothegratitudesheowestotheyoungmanwhohasreconciledheroncemoretolife。\"Mysoul，\"shesays，\"eageritselfforaffection，neededtoinspirethisinaheartcapableofunderstandingmethoroughly，withallmyfaultsandqualities。
AferventsoulwasnecessaryforlovingmeinthewaythatI
couldlove，andforconsolingmeafteralltheingratitudewhichhadmademyearlierlifesodesolate。AndalthoughIamnowold，Ihavefoundaheartasyoungasmyown，alifelongaffectionwhichnothingcandiscourageandwhichgrowsstrongereveryday。
Juleshastaughtmetocareoncemoreforthisexistence，ofwhichI
wassoweary，andwhichIonlyenduredforthesakeofmychildren。
Iwasdisgustedbeforehandwiththefuture，butitnowseemsmorebeautifultome，fullasitappearstomeofhim，ofhiswork，hissuccess，andofhisupright，modestconduct……Oh，ifyouonlyknewhowIlovehim！……\"[14]
[14]ThisquotationandthosethatfollowareborrowedfromtheunpublishedcorrespondencewithEmileRegnault。
\"WhenIfirstknewhimIwasdisillusionedabouteverything，andI
nolongerbelievedinthosethingswhichmakeushappy。Hehaswarmedmyfrozenheartandrestoredthelifethatwasdyingwithinme。\"
Shethenrecallstheirfirstmeeting。Itwasinthecountry，atCoudray，nearNohant。ShefellinlovewithherdearSandeau，thankstohisyouthfulness，histimidityandhisawkwardness。
Hewasjusttwenty，in1831。Onapproachingthebenchwhereshewasawaitinghim，\"heconcealedhimselfinaneighbouringavenue——
andIcouldseehishatandstickonthebench，\"shewrites。
\"Everything，eventothelittleredribbonthreadedintheliningofhisgreyhat，thrilledmewithjoy……\"
Itisdifficulttosaywhy，buteverythingconnectedwiththisyoungJulesseemsabsurd。Lateronwegetthefollowingstatement：
\"UntilthedaywhenItoldhimthatIlovedhim，Ihadneveracknowledgedasmuchtomyself。IfeltthatIdid，butIwouldnotowniteventomyownheart。JulesthereforelearntitatthesametimeasIdidmyself。\"
PeopleatLaChatretooktheyoungmanforherlover。TheideaoffindinghimagaininPariswasprobablyoneofherreasonsforwishingtoestablishherselfthere。Thencameherlife，asshedescribesitherself，\"inthelittleroomlookingontothequay。
IcanseeJulesnowinashabby，dirty—lookingartist’sfrock—coat，withhiscravatunderneathhimandhisshirtopenatthethroat，stretchedoutoverthreechairs，stampingwithhisfeetorbreakingthetongsintheheatofthediscussion。TheGauloisusedtositinacornerweavinggreatplots，andyouwouldbeseatedonatable。
Allthismustcertainlyhavebeencharming。Theroomwastoosmall，though，andGeorgeSandcommissionedEmileRegnaulttofindheraflat，theessentialconditionofwhichshouldbesomewayofegressforJulesatanyhour。
AlittleflatwasdiscoveredontheQuaySt。Michel。Therewerethreerooms，oneofwhichcouldbereserved。\"Thisshallbethedarkroom，\"wroteGeorgeSand，\"themysteriousroom，theghost’sretreat，themonster’sden，thecageoftheperforminganimal，thehiding—placeforthetreasure，thevampire’scave，orwhateveryouliketocallit……\"
Inplainerlanguage，itwasJules’room；andthenfollowssometouchingeloquenceaboutthedearboysheworshippedwholovedhersodearly。
Thisisthebeginningofthings，butlateronthetoneofthecorrespondencechanges。Thelettersbecomelessfrequent，andarealsonotsogay。GeorgeSandspeaksmuchlessofJulesinthemandmuchmoreoflittleSolange，whomsheintendedtobringbacktoPariswithher。SheisbeginningtowearyofJulesandtoesteemhimathistruevalue。Heislazy，andhasfitsofdepressionandallthecapriciousnessofaspoiltchild。Shehashadenoughofhim，andthen，too，itisveryevidentfromthelettersthattherehasbeensomedivisionamongthelivelyfriendswhohadsworntobecomradesforlife。Thereareexplanationsandjustifications。
GeorgeSanddiscoversthattherearecertaininconveniencesconnectedwithintimaciesinwhichthereissuchdisproportionofageandofsocialposition。Finallytherearethefollowingdesperateletters，writteninfitsofirritation：\"Mydearfriend，gotoJulesandlookafterhim。Heisbroken—hearted，andyoucandonothingforhiminthatrespect。Itisnousetrying。
Idonotaskyoutocometomeyet，asIdonotneedanything。
Iwouldratherbealoneto—day。Then，too，thereisnothingleftformeinlife。Itwillbehorribleforhimforalongtime，butheissoyoung。Thedaywillcome，perhaps，whenhewillnotbesorrytohavelived……
Donotattempttoputmattersright，asthistimethereisnoremedy。
Wedonotblameeachotheratall，andforsometimewehavebeenstrugglingagainstthishorriblenecessity。Wehavehadtroubleenough。
Thereseemedtobenothingleftbuttoputanendtoourlives，andifithadnotbeenformychildren，weshouldhavedonethis。
Thequestionis，WasGeorgeSandblamelessinthematter？ItappearsthatshehaddiscoveredthatherdearJuleswasfaithlesstoher，andthat，duringherabsence，hehaddeceivedher。Shewouldnotforgivehim，butsenthimofftoItaly，andrefusedtoseehimagain。
ThelastoftheselettersisdatedJune15，1833。
\"IshallmakeaparcelofafewofJules’thingsthatheleftinthewardrobe，\"shesays，\"andIwillsendthemtoyou。
Idonotwantanythingtodowithhimwhenhecomesback，and，accordingtothelastwordsoftheletteryoushowedme，hisreturnmaybesoon。ForalongtimeIhavebeenverymuchhurtbythediscoveriesImadewithregardtohisconduct，andIcouldnotfeelanythingelseforhimnowbutaffectionatecompassion。
Hispride，Ihope，wouldrefusethis。Makehimclearlyunderstand，ifnecessary，thattherecanneverbeanythingmorebetweenus。
Ifthishardtaskshouldnotbenecessary，thatis，ifJulesshouldhimselfunderstandthatitcouldnotbeotherwise，sparehimthesorrowofhearingthathehaslosteverything，evenmyrespect。
Hemustundoubtedlyhavelosthisownself—esteem，sothatheispunishedenough。\"
Thusendedthisgreatpassion。ThiswasthefirstofGeorgeSand’serrors，anditcertainlywasanimmenseone。Shehadimaginedthathappinessreignsinstudents’rooms。Shehadcountedonthepassingfancyofayoungmanofgoodfamily，whohadcometoParistosowhiswildoats，forgivingherfreshzestandforcarvingoutforherselfafreshfuture。Itwasamostcommonplaceadventure，utterlydestituteofpsychology，andbyitsverybitternessitcontrastedstrangelywithherelevatedsentimentalromancewithAureliendeSeze。
Thatwasthequintessenceofrefinement。AllthatisinterestingaboutthissecondadventureistheproofthatitgivesusofGeorgeSand’swonderfulillusions，oftheintensityofthemirageofwhichshewasadupe，andofwhichwehavesomanyinstancesinherlife。
BaronneDudevanthadtriedconjugallife，andshehadnowtriedfreelove。Shehadbeenunsuccessfulinbothinstances。
Itistotheseadventuresthough，tothesetrials，errorsanddisappointmentsthatweowethewriterweareabouttostudy。
GeorgeSandwasnowborntoliterature。
III
AFEMINISTOF1832
THEFIRSTNOVELSANDTHEQUESTIONOFMARRIAGE
WhenBaronneDudevantarrivedinParis，in1831，herintentionwastoearnherlivingwithherpen。Sheneverreallycountedseriouslyontheincomeshemightmakebyhertalentforpaintingflowersonsnuff—boxesandornamentingcigar—caseswithwater—colours。Shearrivedfromherprovincewiththeintentionofbecomingawriter。
Likemostauthorswhocommence，shefirsttriedjournalism。
Onthe4thofMarch，shewroteasfollowstothefaithfulBoucoiran：
\"InthemeantimeImustlive，andforthesakeofthat，Ihavetakenuptheworstoftrades：Iamwritingarticlesforthe_Figaro_。
Ifonlyyouknewwhatthatmeans！Theyarepaidfor，though，attherateofsevenfrancsacolumn。\"
Sheevidentlyfounditworthwhiletowriteforthe_Figaro_，whichatthattimewasquiteasmallnewspaper，managedbyHenrideLatouche，whoalsocamefromBerry。Hewasaverysecond—ratewriterhimself，andapoetwithverylittletalentbut，atanyrate，heappreciatedanddiscoveredtalentinothers。HepublishedAndreChenier’sfirstwritings，andheintroducedGeorgeSandtothepublic。
Hisnewapprenticewasplacedatoneofthelittletablesatwhichthevariouspartsofthepaperweremanufactured。Unfortunatelyshehadnotthevocationforthiswork。Thefirstprinciplewithregardtonewspaperarticlesistomakethemshort。WhenAurorehadcometotheendofherpaper，shehadnotyetcommencedhersubject。
Itwasnouseattemptingtocontinue，soshegaveup\"theworstoftrades，\"lucrativethoughitmightbe。
Shecouldnothelpknowing，though，thatshehadthegiftofwriting。
Shehadinheriteditfromherancestors，andthisistheblestpartofheratavism。Nomatterhowfarbackwego，andineverybranchofhergenealogicaltree，thereisartistichereditytobefound。
MauricedeSaxewrotehis_Reveries_。Thiswasafinebookforasoldiertowrite，andforthatalonehewoulddeservepraise，evenifhehadnotbeatentheEnlishsogloriously。MademoiselleVerriereswasanactressandDupindeFrancueiladilettante。
Aurore’sgrandmother，Marie—Aurore，wasverymusical，shesangoperaticsongs，andcollectedextractsfromthephilosophers。
MauriceDupinwasdevotedtomusicandtothetheatre。
EvenSophie—Victoirehadaninnateappreciationofbeauty。
Shenotonlywept，likeMargot，atmelodrama，butshenoticedthepinkofacloud，themauveofaflower，and，whatwasmoreimportant，shecalledherlittledaughter’sattentiontosuchthings。
ThisilliteratemotherhadthereforehadsomeinfluenceonAuroreandonhertasteforliterature。
ItisnotenoughtosaythatGeorgeSandwasabornwriter。Shewasabornnovelist，andshebelongedtoacertaincategoryofnovelists。
ShehadbeencreatedbyaspecialdecreeofProvidencetowriteherownromances，andnotothers。Itisthiswhichmakesthehistoryofthefar—backoriginsofherliteraryvocationsointeresting。
Itisextremelycurioustosee，fromherearliestchildhood，thepromisesofthosefacultieswhichweretobecometheveryessenceofhertalent。Whenshewasonlythreeyearsold，hermotherusedtoputherbetweenfourchairsinordertokeepherstill。
Bywayofenliveninghercaptivity，shetellsuswhatshedid。
\"Iusedtomakeupendlessstories，whichmymotherstyledmynovels……Itoldthesestoriesaloud，andmymotherdeclaredthattheyweremosttiresomeonaccountoftheirlengthandofthedevelopmentIgavetomydigressions……Therewereveryfewbadpeopleinthem，andneveranyserioustroubles。
Everythingwasalwaysarrangedsatisfactorily，thankstomylively，optimisticideas……\"
Shehadalreadycommenced，then，attheageofthree，andtheseearlystoriesaretheprecursorsofthenovelsofhermaturity。
Theyareoptimistic，drawnout，andwithlongdigressions。
SomethingsimilaristoldaboutWalterScott。Thereisevidentlyaprimordialinstinctinthosewhoarebornstory—tellers，andthisurgesthemontoinventfinestoriesforamusingthemselves。
Alittlelateronwehaveanotherphenomenon，almostascurious，withregardtoAurore。Weareapttowonderhowcertaindescriptivewritersproceedinordertogiveuspictures，thevariousfeaturesofwhichstandoutinsuchintensereliefthattheyappearabsolutelyrealtous。GeorgeSandtellsusthatwhenBerquin’sstorieswerebeingreadtoheratNohant，sheusedtositinfrontofthefire，fromwhichshewasprotectedbyanoldgreensilkscreen。
Sheusedgraduallytolosethesenseofthephrases，butpicturesbegantoformthemselvesinfrontofheronthegreenscreen。
\"Isawwoods，meadows，rivers，townsofstrangeandgiganticarchitecture……OnedaytheseapparitionsweresorealthatIwasstartledbythem，andIaskedmymotherwhethershecouldseethem。\"
Withhallucinationsliketheseawritercanbepicturesque。
Hehasinfrontofhim，althoughitmaybebetweenfourwalls，acompletelandscape。Hehasonlytofollowthelinesofitandtoreproducethecolours，sothatinpaintingimaginarylandscapeshecanpaintthemfromnature，fromthismodelthatappearstohim，asthoughbyenchantment。Hecan，ifhelikes，counttheleavesofthetreesandlistentothesoundofthegrowinggrass。
Stilllateron，vaguereligiousorphilosophicalconceptionsbegantominglewiththefictionthatAurorealwayshadinhermind。
Toherpoeticallife，wasaddedamorallife。Shealwayshadaromancegoingon，towhichshewasconstantlyaddinganotherchapter，likesomanylinksinanever—endingchain。Shenowgaveaherotoherromance，aherowhosenamewasCorambe。Hewasherideal，amanwhomshehadmadehergod。Whilstbloodwasflowingfreelyonthealtarsofbarbarousgods，onCorambe’saltarlifeandlibertyweregiventoawholecrowdofcaptivecreatures，toaswallow，toarobin—redbreast，andeventoasparrow。Weseealreadyinallthishertendencytoputmoralintentionsintoherromanticstories，toarrangeheradventuresinsuchawaythattheyshouldserveasexamplesformakingmankindbetter。Thesewerethenovels，withapurpose，ofhertwelfthyear。
Letusnowstudyastrikingcontrast，bywayofobservingthefirstsignsofvocationintwototallydifferentnovelists。
Inthebeginningof_FacinoCane_，Balzactellsusanincidentofthetimewhen，asanaspiringwriter，helivedinhisatticintheRueLesdiguieres。Oneevening，oncomingoutofthetheatre，heamusedhimselfwithfollowingaworking—manandhiswifefromtheBoulevardduPontaux—ChouxtotheBoulevardBeaumarchais。
Helistenedtothemastheytalkedofthepiecetheyhadjustseen。
Theythendiscussedtheirbusinessmatters，andafterwardshouseandfamilyaffairs。\"Whilelisteningtothiscouple，\"saysBalzac，\"Ienteredintotheirlife。Icouldfeeltheirclothesonmybackand，Iwaswalkingintheirshabbyboots。\"
Thisisthenovelistoftheobjectiveschool，theonewhocomesoutofhimself，whoceasestobehimselfandbecomesanotherperson。
Insteadofthisexteriorworld，towhichBalzacadaptshimself，Auroretalkstousofaninnerworld，emanatingfromherownfancy，thereflectionofherownimagination，theechoofherownheart，whichisreallyherself。ThisexplainsthedifferencebetweenBalzac’simpersonalnovelandGeorgeSand’spersonalnovel。
Itisjustthedifferencebetweenrealisticart，whichgiveswaytotheobject，andidealisticart，whichtransformsthisaccordingtoitsownwillandpleasure。
UptothistimeGeorgeSand’sideashadnotbeenputontopaper。
Both_Corambe_andthestoriescomposedbetweenfourchairsweremerelyfanciesofachild’smind。Auroresoonbegantowrite，though。
Shehadcomposedtwonovelswhileintheconvent，oneofwhichwasreligiousandtheotherapastoralstory。Shewaswiseenoughtotearthembothup。OnleavingtheconventshewroteanothernovelforRene’deVilleneuve，andthissharedthesamefate。In1827，shewroteher_VoyageenAuvergne_，andin1829，anothernovel。
Inher_Histoiredemavie_shesaysofthis：\"Afterreadingit，Iwasconvincedthatitwasofnovalue，butatthesametimeIwassureIcouldwriteabetterone……IsawthatIcouldwritequicklyandeasily，andwithoutfeelinganyfatigue。Theideasthatwerelyingdormantinmymindwerequickenedandbecameconnected，bymydeductions，asIwrote。Withmymeditativelife，Ihadobservedagreatdeal，andhadunderstoodthevariouscharacterswhichFatehadputinmyway，sothatIreallyknewenoughofhumannaturetobeabletodepictit。\"Shenowhadthatfacility，thatabundanceofmatterandthatnonchalancewhichweresuchcharacteristicfeaturesofherwriting。
WhenGeorgeSandbegantopublish，shehadalreadywrittenagreatdeal。
Herliteraryformationwascomplete。Wenoticethissamethingwheneverwestudytheearlyworkofawriter。Geniusisrevealedtous，perhaps，withasuddenflash，butithasbeenmakingitswayforalongtimeunderground，sothatwhatwetakeforaspontaneousburstofgeniusisnothingbutthefinaleffortofasapwhichhasbeenslowlyaccumulatingandwhichfromhenceforthisall—powerful。
GeorgeSandhadtogothroughtheinevitableperiodoffeelingherway。Wearegladtothinkthatthefirstbookshepublishedwasnotwrittenbyherselfalone，sothattheresponsibilityofthatexecrablenoveldoesnotliesolelywithher。
Onthe9thofMarch，1831，GeorgeSandwrotetoBoucoiranasfollows：
\"Monstrositiesareinvogue，sowemustinventmonstrosities。
Iambringingforthaverypleasantonejustatpresent……\"
ThiswasthenovelwrittenincollaborationwithSandeauwhichappearedunderthesignatureofJulesSandtowardstheendof1831。
Itwasentitled，_RoseetBlanche，oulaComedienneetlaReligieuse_。
Itbeginsbyasceneinacoach，ratherlikecertainnovelsbyBalzac，butaccompaniedbyinsignificantdetailsintheworsttasteimaginable。
Twogirlsaretravellinginthesamecoach。Roseisayoungcomedian，andSisterBlancheisabouttobecomeanun。TheyseparateatTarbes，andthesceneofthestoryislaidintheregionofthePyrenees，inTarbesAuch，Nerac，theLandes，andfinisheswiththereturntoParis。Rose，afteranentertainmentwhichisaveritableorgy，ishandedoverbyhermothertoalicentiousyoungman。
Heisashamedofhimself，and，insteadofleadingRoseastray，hetakeshertotheConventoftheAugustines，whereshefindsSisterBlancheoncemore。SisterBlanchehasnotyetpronouncedhervows，andtheproofofthisisthatshemarriesHorace。Butwhatawedding！
Asamatteroffact，SisterBlanchewasformerlynamedDenise。
ShewasthedaughterofaseafaringmanofBordeaux，andwasbothprettyandfoolish。Shehadbeendishonouredbytheyounglibertinewhomsheisnowtomarry。ThememoryofthepastcomesbacktoBlanche，andmakesherliveoveragainherlifeasDenise。InthemeantimeRosehadbecomeagreatsinger。Shenowarrives，justintimetobepresentatherfriend’sdeathbed。Sheenterstheconventherself，andtakestheplaceleftvacantbySisterBlanche。Thewholeofthisisabsurdandfrequentlyverydisagreeable。
Itisquiteeasytodistinguishthepartsduetothetwocollaborators，andtoseethatGeorgeSandwrotenearlyallthebook。Therearethelandscapes，TarbesAuch，Nerac，theLandes，andanumberofrecollectionsofthefamousjourneytothePyreneesandofherstayatGuillerywiththeDudevantfamily。TheConventoftheAugustinesinParis，withitsEnglishnunsanditsboardersbelongingtothebestfamilies，istheoneinwhichAurorespentthreeyears。
Thecloistercanberecognized，thegardenplantedwithchestnuttrees，andthecellfromwhichtherewasaviewoverthecity。
AllherdreamsseemedsonearHeaventhere，fortherich，cloudyskywassonear——\"thatmostbeautifulandever—changingsky，perhapsthemostbeautifulintheworld，\"ofwhichwereadin_RoseetBlanche_。Buttogetherwiththisromanceofreligiouslifeisalibertinenovelwithstoriesoforgies，ofacertainprivatehouse，andofveryriskyandunpleasantepisodes。Thisisthecollaborator’sshareinthework。TheriskypartsareSandeau’s。
Such，then，isthishybridcomposition。Itwas，inreality，themonstrosityannouncedbyGeorgeSand。
Ithadacertainsuccess，butthepersonwhowasmostsevereinherjudgmentofitwasSophie—Victoire，GeorgeSand’smother，whohadveryprudishtastesinliterature。Thiswomanisperfectlydelightful，andeverytimewecomeacrossheritisafreshjoy。
Herdaughterwasobligedtomakesomeexcuseforherself，andthisshedidbystatingthattheworkwasnotentirelyherown。
\"Idonotapproveofagreatdealofthenonsense，\"shewrites，\"andIonlyletcertainthingspasstopleasemypublisher，whowantedsomethingratherlively……Idonotliketheriskypartsmyself……\"Lateroninthesameletter，sheadds：
\"ThereisnothingofthekindinthebookIamwritingnow，andIamusingnothingofmycollaborator’sinthis，excepthisname。\"[15]
[15]_Correspondance_：Tohermother，February22，1832。
Thiswastrue。JulesSandhadhadhisday，andthebookofwhichshenowspeakswas_Indiana_。Shesignedthis\"GeorgeSand。\"
TheunpublishedcorrespondencewithEmileRegnault，somefragmentsofwhichwehavejustread，containsamostinterestingletterconcerningthecompositionof_Indiana_。ItisdatedFebruary28，1832。GeorgeSandfirstinsistsontheseverityofthesubjectandonitsresemblancetolife。\"Itisassimple，asnaturalandaspositiveasyoucouldwish，\"shesays。
\"Itisneitherromantic，mosaic，norfrantic。Itisjustordinarylifeofthemost_bourgeois_kind，butunfortunatelythisismuchmoredifficultthanexaggeratedliterature……Thereisnottheleastwordputinfornothing，notasingledescription，notavestigeofpoetry。Therearenounexpected，extraordinary，oramazingsituations，butmerelyfourvolumesonfourcharacters。
Withonlyjustthesecharacters，thatis，withhiddenfeelings，everydaythoughts，withfriendship，love，selfishness，devotion，self—respect，persistency，melancholy，sorrow，ingratitude，disappointment，hope，andallthemixed—upmedleyofthehumanmind，isitpossibletowritefourvolumeswhichwillnotborepeople？
Iamafraidofboringpeople，ofboringthemaslifeitselfdoes。
Andyetwhatismoreinterestingthanthehistoryoftheheart，whenitisatruehistory？Themainthingistowritetruehistory，anditisjustthatwhichissodifficult……\"
Thisdeclarationisrathersurprisingtoanyonewhoreadsitto—day。Wemightaskwhetherwhatwasnaturalin1832wouldbenaturalin1910？Thatisnotthequestionwhichconcernsus，though。TheimportantfacttonoteisthatGeorgeSandwasnolongerattemptingtomanufacturemonstrosities。Shewasendeavouringtobetrue，andshewantedaboveeverythingelsetopresentacharacterofwomanwhowouldbethetypicalmodernwoman。
\"Noemi（thisnamewasafterwardslefttoSandeau，whohaduseditin_Marianna_。GeorgeSandchangedittothatof_Indiana_）
isatypicalwoman，strongandweak，tiredevenbytheweightoftheair，butcapableofholdingupthesky；timidineverydaylife，butdaringindaysofbattle；shrewdandcleverinseizingtheloosethreadsofordinarylife，butsillyandstupidindistinguishingherowninterestswhenitisaquestionofherhappiness；caringlittlefortheworldatlarge，butallowingherselftobedupedbyoneman；
nottroublingmuchaboutherowndignity，butwatchingoverthatoftheobjectofherchoice；despisingthevanitiesofthetimesasfarassheisconcerned，butallowingherselftobefascinatedbythemanwhoisfullofthesevanities。This，Ibelieve，\"
shesays，\"istheusualwoman，anextraordinarymixtureofweaknessandenergy，ofgrandeurandoflittleness，abeingevercomposedoftwooppositenatures，attimessublimeandattimesdespicable，cleverindeceivingandeasilydeceivedherself。\"
Thisnovel，intendedtopresenttousthemodernwoman，oughttobestyleda\"feministnovel。\"Itwasalso，asregardsotherpointsofview。_Indiana_appearedinMay，1832，_Valentine_in1833，and_Jacques_in1834。InthesethreebooksIshouldliketoshowourpresentfeminism，alreadyarmed，andintroducedtousaccordingtoGeorgeSand’searlyideas。
_Indiana_isthestoryofawomanwhohadmadeanunfortunatemarriage。
AttheageofnineteenshehadmarriedColonelDelmare。
Colonelswereverymuchinvogueinthosedays，andthefactthathehadattainedthatrankprovesthathewasmucholderthanshewas。
ColonelDelmarewasanhonest，straightforwardmaninthePharisaicalsenseoftheword。Thissimplymeansthathehadneverrobbedorkilledanyone。Hehadnodelicacyandnocharm，and，fondashewasofhisownauthority，hewasadomestictyrant。
Indianawasveryunhappybetweenthisexecrablehusbandandacousinofhers，Ralph，amanwhoistwiceoverEnglish，inthefirstplacebecausehisnameisBrown，andthenbecauseheisphlegmatic。
Ralphisdelightfulandmostexcellent，anditisonhisaccountthatsheisinsensibletothecharmsofRaymondeRamieresanelegantanddistinguishedyoungmanwhoisaveritablelady—killer。
Spaceforbidsustogointoalltheepisodesofthisstory，butthecrisisisthatColonelDelmareisruined，andhisbusinessaffairscallhimtotheIsleofBourbon。HeintendstotakeIndianawithhim，butsherefusestoaccompanyhim。SheknowsquitewellthatRaymonwilldoallhecantopreventhergoing。Shehurriesawaytohim，offersherselftohim，andvolunteerstoremainwithhimalways。
ItisunnecessarytogiveRaymon’sreplytothischarmingproposal。
PoorIndianareceivesaverywetblanketonacoldwinter’snight。
ShethereforestartsfortheIsleofBourbon，and，sometimeafterherarrivalthere，shegetsaletterfromRaymonwhichmakesherthinkthatheisveryunhappy。Sheaccordinglyhastensbacktohim，butisreceivedbytheyoungwifewhomRaymonhasjustmarried。Itisaverybrilliantmarriage，andRaymoncouldnothavehopedforanythingmoresatisfactory。PoorIndiana！
TheSeine，however，isquitenear，andshethrowsherselfintoit。
Thiswasquitesafe，asRalphwastheretofishheroutagain。
Ralphwasalwaysathandtofishhiscousinoutofeverything。
Heisherappointedrescuer，herNewfoundlanddog。Inthecountryorinthetown，on_terrafirma_orontheboatwhichtakesIndianatotheIsleofBourbon，wealwaysseeRalphturnup，phlegmaticasusual。UnnecessarytosaythatRalphisinlovewithIndiana。Hisapparentcalmnessisputonpurposely。
Itisthesnowycoveringunderwhichavolcanoisburning。
Hisawkwardandunprepossessingappearanceconcealsanexquisitesoul。
RalphbringsIndianagoodnews。ColonelDelmareisdead，sothatsheisfree。Whatwillshedonowwithherliberty？
Afterduedeliberation，RalphandIndianadecidetocommitsuicide，buttheyhavetoagreeaboutthekindofdeaththeywilldie。
Ralphconsidersthatthisisamatterofcertainimportance。
HedoesnotcaretokillhimselfinParis；therearetoomanypeopleabout，sothatthereisnotranquillity。TheIsleofBourbonseemstohimapleasantplaceforasuicide。Therewasamagnificenthorizonthere；then，too，therewasaprecipiceandawaterfall……
Ralph’shappyideasaresomewhatsinister，butthecouplesetoutneverthelessfortheIsleofBourboninsearchofapropitiouswaterfall。Asea—voyage，undersuchcircumstances，wouldbeanexcellentpreparation。Whenoncethere，theycarryouttheirplans，andRalphgiveshisbelovedwiseadviceatthelastmoment。Shemustnotjumpfromtheside，asthatwouldbebad。
\"Throwyourselfintothewhitelinethatthewaterfallmakes，\"
hesays。\"Youwillthenreachthelakewiththat，andthetorrentwillplungeyouin。\"Thissoundsenticing。
Suchasuicidewasconsideredinfinitelypoeticalatthatepoch，andeveryonepitiedIndianainhertroubles。Itiscurioustoreadsuchbookscalmlyalongtimeafterwards，bookswhichreflectsoexactlythesentimentsofacertainepoch。Itiscurioustonotehowthepointofviewhaschanged，andhowpeopleandthingsappeartousexactlythereverseofwhattheyappearedtotheauthorandtocontemporaries。
Asamatteroffact，theonlyinterestingpersoninallthisisColonelDelmare，or，atanyrate，heistheonlyoneofwhomIndianacouldnotcomplain。Helovedher，andhelovednooneelsebuther。
ThelikecannotbesaidforIndiana。Fewhusbandswouldimitatehispatienceandforbearance，andhecertainlyallowedhiswifethemostextraordinaryfreedom。Atonetimewefind，ayoungmaninIndiana’sbedroom，andatanothertimeIndianainayoungman’sbedroom。
ColonelDelmarereceivesRaymonathishouseinafriendlyway，andhetoleratesthepresenceofthesempiternalRalphinhishome。
Whatmorecanbeaskedofahusbandthantoallowhiswifetohaveamanfriendandacousin？IndianadeclaresthatColonelDelmarehasstruckher，andthatthemarkisleftonherface。
Sheexaggerated，though，asweknowquitewellwhattookplace。
InrealityallthiswasatPlessis—Picard。Delmare—DudevantstruckIndiana—Aurore。Thiswascertainlytoomuch，buttherewasnobloodshed。
Astotheotherpersonages，Raymonisawretchedlittlerascal，whowasfirsttheloverofIndiana’smaid。HenextmadelovetopoorNoun’smistress，andthendesertedhertomakearichmarriage。
RalphplungesIndianadownaprecipice。Thatwascertainlybadtreatmentforthewomanheloved。AsregardsIndiana，GeorgeSandhonestlybelievedthatshehadgivenherallthecharmsimaginable。
Asamatteroffact，shedidcharmthereadersofthattime。
Itisfromthismodelthatwehaveoneofthefavouritetypesofwomaninliteratureforthenexttwentyyears——themisunderstoodwoman。
Themisunderstoodwomanispale，fragile，andsubjecttofainting。
Uptopage99ofthebook，Indianahasfaintedthreetimes。Ididnotcontinuecounting。Thisfaintingwasnottheresultofbadhealth。
Itwasthefashiontofaint。Thedaysofnervesandlanguidairshadcomeback。Thewomenwhosegrandmothershadwalkedsofirmlytothescaffold，andwhosemothershadlistenedbravelytothefiringofthecannonundertheEmpire，werenowdepressedandtearful，likesomanyplaintiveelegies。Itwasjustamatteroffashion。
Themis—
understoodwomanwassupposedtobeunhappywithherhusband，butshewouldnothavebeenanyhappierwithanotherman。IndianadoesnotfindfaultwithColonelDelmareforbeingthehusbandthatheis，butsimplyforbeingthehusband！
\"Shedidnotloveherhusband，forthemerereason，perhaps，thatshewastolditwasherdutytolovehimandthatithadbecomehersecondnature，aprincipleandalawofherconsciencetoresistinwardlyallmoralconstraint。\"Sheaffectedamostirritatinggentleness，anexasperatingsubmissiveness。Whensheputonhersuperior，resignedairs，itwasenoughtounhingeanangel。Besides，whatwastheretocomplainabout，andwhyshouldshenotaccommodateherselftoconditionsofexistencewithwhichsomanyothersfallin？
Shemustnotbecomparedtoothers，though。Sheiseminentlyadistinguishedwoman，andsheaskswithoutshrinking：\"DoyouknowwhatitmeanstoloveawomansuchasIam？\"
Inherlongsilencesandherpersistentmelancholy，sheisnodoubtthinkingoftheloveappropriatetoawomansuchassheis。
Shewasaprincessinexileandtimeswerethenhardforprincesses。
Thatiswhytheoneinquestiontookrefugeinherhomesicksorrow。
Allthisiswhatpeoplewillnotunderstand。Insteadofrisingtosuchsublimities，orofbeinglostinfogs，theyjudgefrommerefacts。Andoncomingacrossayoungwifewhoisinclinedtopreferahandsome，darkyoungmantoahusbandwhoisturninggrey，theyareapttoconclude：\"Well，thisisnotthefirsttimewehavemetwithasimilarcase。Itishardlyworthwhilemakingsuchafussaboutayoungplagueofawomanwhowantstogotothebad。\"
Itwouldbeveryunjust，though，nottorecognizethat_Indiana_
isamostremarkablenovel。Thereisacertainreliefinthevariouscharacters，ColonelDelmare，Raymon，RalphandInaiana。
Weoughttoquestionthehusbandswhomarriedwivesbelongingtotheraceofmisunderstoodwomenbroughtintovogueby_Indiana_。
_Valentine_，too，isthestoryofawomanunhappilymarried。
Thistimethechief_role_isgiventothelover，andnottothewoman。
Insteadofthemisunderstoodwoman，though，wehavethetypicalfrenziedlover，createdbytheromanticschool。Louise—ValentinedeRaimbaultisabouttomarryNorbert—EvaristedeLansac，whensuddenlythisyoungperson，whoisaccustomedtogoingaboutinthecountryroundandtothevillagefetes，fallsinlovewiththenephewofoneofherfarmers。Theyoungman’snameisBenedict，andheisapeasantwhohashadsomeeducation。Hismentalityisprobablythatofapresent—dayelementaryschool—teacher。Valentinecannotresisthim，althoughwearetoldthatBenedictisnotveryhandsome。
ItishissoulwhichValentinelovesinhim。BenedictknowsverywellthathecannotmarryValentine，buthecancauseheragreatdealofannoyancebywayofprovinghislove。Onthenightoftheweddingheisinthenuptialchamber，fromwhichtheauthorhastakencaretobanishthehusbandforthetimebeing。Benedictwatchesovertheslumberofthewomanheloves，andleavesheranepistleinwhichhedeclaresthat，afterhesitatingwhetherheshouldkillherhusband，her，orhimself，orwhetherheshouldkillallthree，oronlyselecttwoofthethree，andafteradoptinginturneachofthesecombinations，hehasdecidedtoonlykillhimself。Heisfoundinaditchinaterribleplight，butwearebynomeansridofhim。
Benedictisnotdead，andhehasagreatdealofharmtodoyet。
Weshallmeetwithhimagainseveraltimes，alwayshiddenbehindcurtains，listeningtoallthatissaidandwatchingallthattakesplace。
Attherightmomenthecomesoutwithhispistolinhishand。
Thehusbandisawayduringallthistime。Noonetroublesabouthim，though。Heisabadhusband，orratherheis——ahusband，andBenedicthasnothingtofearasfarasheisconcerned。
Butonedayapeasant，whodoesnotlikethelooksofBenedict，attackshimwithhispitchforkandputsanendtothisvaluablelife。
Thequestionarises，bywhatrightBenedictdisturbsValentine’stranquillity。Theanswerisbytherightofhispassionforher。
Hehasanincomeofabouttwentypoundsayear。Itwouldbeimpossibleforhimtomarryonthat。Whathashetooffertothewomanwhosepeaceofmindhedisturbsandwhosepositionheruins？Heoffershimself。
Surelythatshouldbeenough。Then，too，itisimpossibletoreasonwithindividualsofhistemperament。Wehaveonlytolookathim，withhissicklypallorandtherestlesslightinhiseyes。Wehaveonlytolistentothesoundofhisvoiceandhisexcitedspeeches。
Attimeshegoesinforwilddeclamation，andimmediatelyafterwardsforcoldironyandsarcasm。Heisalwaystalkingofdeath。
Whenheattemptstoshoothimselfhealwaysmisses，butwhenAdeled’Herveyresistshim，atthetimehehastakenthenameofAntony，hekillsher。Heisthereforeadangerousmadman。
Wenowhavetwofreshpersonagesfornovels，themisunderstoodwomanandthefrenziedlover。Itisapitytheydonotmarryeachother，andsoridusofthem。
Wemustnotlosesight，though，ofthefactthat，contestableas_Valentine_certainlyisasanovelofpassion，thereisapastoralnovelofthehighestordercontainedinthisbook。Thesettingofthestoryisdelightful。GeorgeSandhasplacedthesceneinthatBlackValleywhichsheknewsowellandlovedsodearly。
Itisthefirstofhernovelsinwhichshecelebratesherbirthplace。
Therearewalksalongthecountrypathways，longmeditationsatnight，villageweddingsandfetes。Allthepoetryandallthepicturesquenessofthecountrytransformandembellishthestory。
In_Jacques_wehavethehistoryofamanunhappilymarried，andthis，throughthereciprocitywhichisinevitableunderthecircumstances，isanotherstoryofawomanunhappilymarried。
Attheageofthirty—five，afterastormyexistence，inwhichyearscountdouble，JacquesmarriesFernande，awomanmuchyoungerthanheis。Afterafewunhappymonthsheseesthefirstcloudsappearinginhishorizon。HesendsforhissisterSylviatocomeandlivewithhimselfandhiswife。Sylvia，likeJacques，isanexceptionalindividual。Sheisproud，haughtyandreserved。
Itcanreadilybeimaginedthat，thepresenceofthispythonessdoesnottendtorestoretheconfidencewhichhasbecomesomewhatshakenbetweenthehusbandandwife。AyoungmannamedOctave，whowasatfirstattractedbySylvia，soonbeginstopreferFernande，whoisnotaromantic，ironicalandsarcasticwomanlikehersister—in—law。HefanciesthatheshouldbeveryhappywiththegentleFernande。JacquesdiscoversthatOctaveandhiswifeareinlovewitheachother。Therearevariousalternativesforhim。
Hecandismisshisrival，killhim，ormerelypardonhim。
Eachalternativeisaveryordinarywayoutofthedifficulty，andJacquescannotresignhimselftoanythingordinary。Hethereforeaskshiswife’sloverwhetherhereallycaresforhiswife，whetherheisinearnest，andalsowhetherthisattachmentwillbedurable。
Quitesatisfiedwiththeresultofthisexamination，heleavesFernandetoOctave。Hethendisappearsandkillshimself，buthetakesallnecessaryprecautionstoavertthesuspicionofsuicide，inordernottosaddenOctaveandFernandeintheirhappiness。
Hehadnotbeenabletokeephiswife’slove，buthedoesnotwishtobethejailerofthewomanwhonolongerloveshim。Fernandehasarighttohappinessand，ashehasnotbeenabletoensurethathappiness，hemustgiveplacetoanotherman。Itisacaseofsuicideasaduty。Thereareinstanceswhenahusbandshouldknowthatitishisdutytodisappear……Jacquesis\"astoic。\"
GeorgeSandhasagreatadmirationforsuchcharacters。ShegivesusherfirstsketchofoneinRalph，butJacquesispresentedtousasasublimebeing。
Personally，Ilookuponhimasameregreenhorn，or，aswouldbesaidinWagner’sdramas，a\"puresimpleton。\"
Hedideverythingtoruinhishomelife。Hisyoungwifehadconfidenceinhim；shewasgayandnaive。Hewentabout，foldinghisarmsinatragicway。Hewasabsent—mindedandgloomy，andshebegantobeawedbyhim。Oneday，when，inhersorrowforhavingdispleasedhim，sheflungherselfonherknees，sobbing，insteadofliftingheruptenderly，hebrokeawayfromhercaresses，tellingherfuriouslytogetupandnevertobehaveinsuchawayagaininhispresence。Afterthisheputshissister，the\"bronzewoman，\"
betweenthem，andheinvitesOctavetolivewiththem。Whenhehasthusdestroyedhiswife’saffectionforhim，inspiteofthefactthatatonetimeshewishedfornothingbetterthantolovehim，hegoesawayandgivesupthewholething。Allthatistooeasy。
OneofMeilhac’sheroinessaystoaman，whodeclaresthatheisgoingtodrownhimselfforhersake，\"Ohyes，thatisallveryfine。
Youwouldbetranquilatthebottomofthewater！Butwhataboutme？……\"
InthisinstanceJacquesistranquilatthebottomofhisprecipice，butFernandeisaliveandnotatalltranquil。Jacquesneverrisestotheverysimpleconceptionofhisduty，whichwasthat，havingmadeawomanthecompanionofhislife’sjourney，hehadnorighttodesertherontheway。
Ratherthanblamehimself，though，Jacquesprefersincriminatingtheinstitutionofmarriage。Thecriticismofthisinstitutionisveryplaininthenovelweareconsidering。InherformernovelsGeorge，Sandtreatedallthisinamoreorlessvagueway。
Shenowstateshertheoryclearly。Jacquesconsidersthatmarriageisabarbarousinstitution。\"Ihavenotchangedmyopinion，\"
hesays，\"andIamnotreconciledtosociety。Iconsidermarriageoneofthemostbarbarousinstitutionseverinvented。
Ihavenodoubtthatitwillbeabolishedwhenthehumanspeciesmakesprogressinthedirectionofjusticeandreason。Somebondthatwillbemorehumanandjustassacredwilltaketheplaceofmarriageandprovideforthechildrenbornofawomanandaman，withoutfetteringtheirlibertyforever。Menaretoocoarseatpresent，andwomentoocowardly，toaskforanoblerlawthantheirononewhichgovernsthem。Forindividualswithoutconscienceandwithoutvirtue，heavychainsarenecessary。\"
WealsohearSylvia’sideasandtheplanssheproposestoherbrotherforthetimewhenmarriageisabolished。
\"Wewilladoptanorphan，imaginethatitisourchild，andbringitupinourprinciples。Wecouldeducateachildofeachsex，andthenmarrythemwhenthetimecame，beforeGod，withnoothertemplethanthedesertandnopriestbutlove。Weshouldhaveformedtheirsoulstorespecttruthandjustice，sothat，thankstous，therewouldbeonepureandhappycoupleonthefaceoftheearth。\"
Thesuppressionofmarriage，then，wastheidea，and，inafuturemoreorlessdistant，freelove！
ItisinterestingtodiscoverbywhatseriesofdeductionsGeorgeSandproceedsandonwhatprinciplesshebaseseverything。
Whenonceherprinciplesareadmitted，theconclusionshedrawsfromthemisquitelogical。
Whatisheressentialobjectiontomarriage？Thefactthatmarriagefettersthelibertyoftwobeings。\"Societydictatestoyoutheformulaofanoath。Youmustswearthatyouwillbefaithfulandobedienttome，thatyouwillneverloveanyonebutme，andthatyouwillobeymeineverything。Oneofthoseoathsisabsurdandtheothervile。Youcannotbeanswerableforyourheart，evenifIwerethegreatestandmostperfectofmen。\"Nowcomesthequestionofloveforanotherman。Untilthenitwasconsideredthatsuchlovewasaweakness，andthatitmightbecomeafault。
But，afterall，isnotpassionafatalandirresistiblething？
\"Nohumancreaturecancommandlove，andnooneistobeblamedforfeelingitorforceasingtofeelit。Whatlowersawomanisuntruth。\"
Alittlefartheronwearetold：\"Theyarenotguilty，fortheyloveeachother。Thereisnocrimewherethereissincerelove。\"
Accordingtothistheory，theunionofmanandwomandependsonlovealone。Whenlovedisappears，theunioncannotcontinue。
Marriageisahumaninstitution，butpassionisofDivineessence。
Incaseofanydissension，itisalwaystheinstitutionofmarriagewhichistobeblamed。
Thesoleendinviewofmarriageischarm，eitherthatofsentimentorthatofthesenses，anditssoleobjectistheexchangeoftwofancies。Astheoathoffidelityiseitherastupidityoradegradation，cananythingmoreopposedtocommonsense，andamoreabsoluteignoranceofallthatisnobleandgreat，beimaginedthantheeffortmankindismaking，againstallthechancesofdestructionbywhichheissurrounded，toaffirm，infaceofallthatchanges，hiswillandintentiontocontinue？
Weallremembertheheart—rendinglamentationofDiderot：
\"Thefirstpromisesmadebetweentwocreaturesofflesh，\"
hesays，\"weremadeatthefootofarockcrumblingtodust。
TheycalledonHeaventobeawitnessoftheirconstancy，buttheskiesintheHeavenabovethemwereneverthesameforaninstant。