Balzac’s fame increased with the years, but he still regarded the friendship of Madame de Girardin among those he most prized, and in 1842 he dedicated to her Albert Savarus.  When she moved into the little Greek temple in the Champs-Elysees, she was nearer Balzac, who was living at that time in the rue Basse at Passy, so their relations became more intimate.  Yet when, after his return from St. Petersburg where he had visited Madame Hanska in 1843, the Presse published the scandalous story about his connection with the Italian forger, he vowed he would never see again the scorpions Gay and Girardin.

Madame de Girardin regretted Balzac’s not being a member of the Academy.  In 1845, a chair being vacant, she tried to secure it for him.  Although her salon was not an “academic” one, she had several friends who were members of the Academy and she exerted her influence with them in his behalf; when, after all her solicitude, he failed to gain a place among the “forty immortals,” she had bitter words for their poor judgment, Balzac at that time being at the zenith of his reputation.  Some time before this, too, she promised to write a feuilleton on the great conversationalists of the day, maintaining that Balzac was one of the most brilliant; and she was thoughtful in inserting in her feuilleton a few gracious words about his recent illness and recovery.

Balzac confided to Madame de Girardin his all absorbing passion for Madame Hanska.  She knew of the secret visit of the “Countess” to Paris and of his four days’ visit with her in Wiesbaden.  She knew all the noble qualities and countless charms of the adored “Countess,” but never having seen her, she felt that Madame Hanska did not fully reciprocate the passionate love of her moujik.  Becoming ironical, she called Balzac a Vetturino per amore, and told him she had heard that Madame Hanska was, to be sure, exceedingly flattered by his homage and made him follow wherever she went—­but only through vanity and pride,—­that she was indeed very happy in having for patito a man of genius, but that her social position was too high to permit his aspiring to any other title.

When the Avant-Propos of the Comedie humaine was reprinted in the Presse, October 25, 1846, it was preceded by a very flattering introduction written by Madame de Girardin.  She continued to entertain the novelist, sending him many amusing invitations.  In spite of the “Potentate of the Presse,” her friendship with Balzac lasted until 1847, when she had to give him up.

The ever faithful Delphine knew of Balzac’s financial embarrassment and persuaded her husband to postpone pressing him for the debts which he had partially paid before setting out for the Ukraine.  The Revolution of February seriously affected Balzac’s financial matters.  After the death of Madame O’Donnel, in 1841, Madame de Girardin’s friendship lost a part of its charm for Balzac and the rest of it vanished in these troubles.  Since the greater part of the last few years of Balzac’s life was spent in the Ukraine, she saw but little of him, but she hoped for his return with his long sought bride to the home he had so lovingly prepared for her in the rue Fortunee.