prompting of genius in connection with one who had her faculties so well under her control is downright mockery.  It would, however, be foolish to expect considerateness for others in one who needlessly detailed and proclaimed to the world not only the little foibles but also the drunkenness and consequent idiocy and madness of a brother whose family was still living.  Her practice was, indeed, so much at variance with her profession that it is preposterous rather to accept than to doubt her words.  George Sand was certainly not the self-sacrificing woman she pretended to be; for her sacrifices never outlasted her inclinations, they were, indeed, nothing else than an abandonment to her desires.  And these desires were the directors of her reason, which, aided by an exuberant imagination, was never at a loss to justify any act, be it ever so cruel and abject.  In short, the chief characteristic of George Sand’s moral constitution was her incapacity of regarding anything she did otherwise than as right.  What I have said is fully borne out by her Ma Vie and the “Correspondance,” which, of course, can be more easily and safely examined than her deeds and spoken words.

And now we will continue our investigations of the causes and circumstances of the rupture.  First I shall quote some passages from letters written by George Sand, between which will be inserted a note from Chopin to her.  If the reader does not see at once what several of these quotations have to do with the matter under discussion, he will do so before long.

  Madame Sand to Madame Marliani; Nohant, September 1, 1846:—­

It is exceedingly kind of you to offer me shelter [un gîte].  We have still our apartments in the Square Saint-Lazare [Square d’Orleans], and nothing would prevent us from going there.

  Chopin to Madame Sand; Tuesday 2 1/2 [Paris, December 15,
  1846]

[Footnote:  The date is that of the postmark.  A German translation of the French original (in the Imperial Public Library at St. Petersburg) will be found in La Mara’s “Musikerbriefe."]:—­

Mademoiselle de Rozieres has found the piece of cloth in question (it was in the camail-carton of Mdlle.  Augustine), and I sent it at once last night to Borie, [Victor Borie a publicist and friend of George Sand] who, as Peter was told, does not yet leave to-day.  Here we have a little sun and Russian snow.  I am glad of this weather for your sake, and imagine you walking about a great deal.  Did Dib dance in last night’s pantomime?  May you and yours enjoy good health!

       Your most devoted,

C.

  For your dear children.

  I am well; but I have not the courage to leave my fireside for
  a moment.

  Madame Sand to Madame Marliani; Nohant, May 6, 1847:—­