“We can only conjecture the cause of the final rupture, as no satisfactory explanation is forthcoming.  The original ‘Confession’ in the Medecin de Campagne, which is the history of Balzac’s relations and parting with Madame de Castries, is in the possession of the Vicomte de Spoelberch de Lovenjoul.  The present ‘Confession’ was substituted for it, because the first revealed too much of Balzac’s private life.  However, even in the original ‘Confession,’ we learn no reason for Madame de Castries’ sudden resolve to dismiss her adorer, as Balzac declares with indignant despair that he can give no explanation of it.  Apparently she parted from him one evening with her usual warmth of affection, and next morning everything was changed, and she treated him with the utmost coldness.”

Fully to appreciate what this friendship meant to both, one must consider the private life of each.  As has been seen, it was in the summer of 1832 that Balzac and his Dilecta decided to sever their intimate connection, and since his Chatelaine of Wierzchownia had not yet become the dominating force in his life, his heart was doubtless yearning for some one to adore.

There was also an aching void in the heart of Madame de Castries.  She, too, was recovering from an amorous attachment, more serious than was his, for death had recently claimed the young Count Metternich.  Perhaps then, each was seeking consolation in the other’s society.

There was nothing more astonishing or charming than to see in the evening, in one of the most simple little drawing-rooms, antiquely furnished with tables, cushions of old velvet and screens of the eighteenth century, this woman, her spine injured, reclining in her invalid’s chair, languid, but without affectation.  This woman—­with her profile more Roman than Greek, her hair falling over her high, white brow—­was the Duchesse de Castries, nee de Maille, related to the best families of the Faubourg Saint-Germain.  Accompanying the young Comte de Metternich on the hunt, she was caught in the branch of a tree, and fell, injuring her spine.  But a shadow of her former brilliant self—­such had become this beauty, once so dazzling that the moment she entered the drawing-room, her gorgeous robe falling over shoulders worthy of a Titian, the brilliancy of the candles was literally effaced.[*]

[*] Philarete Chasles was a frequent visitor of her salon.  When Balzac
    visited Madame Hanska at Vienna in the summer of 1835, he did a
    favor for the Duchesse de Castries while there.  He wrote La
    Filandiere, 1835, one of his Contes drolatiques, for Madame de
    Castries’ son, M. le baron d’Aldenburg.

Balzac refers frequently to Count Metternich in writing to Madame Hanska of his association with Madame de Castries: