This novel, intended to present to us the modern woman, ought to be styled a “feminist novel.”  It was also, as regards other points of view. Indiana appeared in May, 1832, Valentine in 1833, and Jacques in 1834.  In these three books I should like to show our present feminism, already armed, and introduced to us according to George Sand’s early ideas.

Indiana is the story of a woman who had made an unfortunate marriage.  At the age of nineteen she had married Colonel Delmare.  Colonels were very much in vogue in those days, and the fact that he had attained that rank proves that he was much older than she was.  Colonel Delmare was an honest, straightforward man in the Pharisaical sense of the word.  This simply means that he had never robbed or killed any one.  He had no delicacy and no charm, and, fond as he was of his own authority, he was a domestic tyrant.  Indiana was very unhappy between this execrable husband and a cousin of hers, Ralph, a man who is twice over English, in the first place because his name is Brown, and then because he is phlegmatic.  Ralph is delightful and most excellent, and it is on his account that she is insensible to the charms of Raymon de Ramieres an elegant and distinguished young man who is a veritable lady-killer.

Space forbids us to go into all the episodes of this story, but the crisis is that Colonel Delmare is ruined, and his business affairs call him to the Isle of Bourbon.  He intends to take Indiana with him, but she refuses to accompany him.  She knows quite well that Raymon will do all he can to prevent her going.  She hurries away to him, offers herself to him, and volunteers to remain with him always.  It is unnecessary to give Raymon’s reply to this charming proposal.  Poor Indiana receives a very wet blanket on a cold winter’s night.

She therefore starts for the Isle of Bourbon, and, some time after her arrival there, she gets a letter from Raymon which makes her think that he is very unhappy.  She accordingly hastens back to him, but is received by the young wife whom Raymon has just married.  It is a very brilliant marriage, and Raymon could not have hoped for anything more satisfactory.  Poor Indiana!  The Seine, however, is quite near, and she throws herself into it.  This was quite safe, as Ralph was there to fish her out again.  Ralph was always at hand to fish his cousin out of everything.  He is her appointed rescuer, her Newfoundland dog.  In the country or in the town, on terra firma or on the boat which takes Indiana to the Isle of Bourbon, we always see Ralph turn up, phlegmatic as usual.  Unnecessary to say that Ralph is in love with Indiana.  His apparent calmness is put on purposely.  It is the snowy covering under which a volcano is burning.  His awkward and unprepossessing appearance conceals an exquisite soul.  Ralph brings Indiana good news.  Colonel Delmare is dead, so that she is free.  What will she do now with her liberty?  After