On his return home he became very ill, and from this time onward his robust constitution, which he had so abused by overwork and by the use of strong coffee, began to break under the continual strain and his illnesses became more and more frequent.  His visit to his Chatelaine, however, had increased his longing to be constantly in her society, and he was ever planning to visit her.  During her prolonged stay in Dresden in the winter and spring of 1845, he became so desperate that he could not longer do his accustomed work, and when the invitation to visit her eventually came, he forgot all in his haste to be at her side.

With Madame Hanska, her daughter Anna, and the Count George Mniszech, Anna’s fiance, Balzac now traveled extensively in Europe.  In July, after some preliminary journeys, Madame Hanska and Anna secretly accompanied him to Paris where they enjoyed the opportunity of visiting Anna’s former governess, Lirette, who had entered a convent.  In August, after visiting many cities with the two ladies, Balzac escorted them as far as Brussels.  In September he left Paris again to join them at Baden, and in October, went to meet them at Chalons whence all four—­Count Mniszech being now of the party—­journeyed to Marseilles and by sea to Naples.  After a few days at Naples, Balzac returned to Paris, ill, having spent much money and done little work.

Ever planning a home for his future bride, and buying objects of art with which to adorn it, Balzac with his numerous worries was physically and mentally in poor condition.  In March, 1846, he left Paris to join Madame Hanska and her party at Rome for a month.  He traveled with them to some extent during the summer, and a definite engagement of marriage was entered into at Strasbourg.  In October he attended the marriage of Anna and the Count Mniszech at Wiesbaden, and Madame Hanska visited him secretly in Paris during the winter.

He was now in better spirits, and his health was somewhat improved, enabling him to do some of his best work, but he was being pressed to fulfil his literary obligations, and, as usual, harassed over his debts.  In September he left for Wierzchownia, where he remained until the following February, continually hoping that his marriage would soon take place.  But Mme. Hanska hesitated, and the failure of the Chemin de Fer du Nord added more financial embarrassments to his already large load.  The Revolution of 1848 brought him into more trouble still, and his health was obviously becoming impaired.  Yet he continued hopeful.

After spending the summer in his house of treasure in the rue Fortunee, he again left, in September, 1848, for Wierzchownia, this time determined to return with his shield or upon it.  During his prolonged stay of eighteen months, while his distraught mother was looking after affairs in his new home, his health became so bad that he could not finish the work outlined during the summer.  No sooner had he recovered