Modesteexistedforsometimeonacomprehension，notonlyoftheworks，butofthecharactersofherfavoriteauthors，——Goldsmith，theauthorofObermann，CharlesNodier，Maturin。Thepoorestandthemostsufferingamongthemwereherdeities;sheguessedtheirtrials，initiatedherselfintoadestitutionwherethethoughtsofgeniusbrooded，andpoureduponitthetreasuresofherheart;shefanciedherselfthegiverofmaterialcomforttothesegreatmen，martyrstotheirownfaculty。Thisnoblecompassion，thisintuitionofthestrugglesoftoilers，thisworshipofgenius，areamongthechoicestperceptionsthatflutterthroughthesoulsofwomen。Theyare，inthefirstplace，asecretbetweenthewomanandGod，fortheyarehidden;
inthemthereisnothingstriking，nothingthatgratifiesthevanity，——thatpowerfulauxiliarytoallactionamongtheFrench。
Outofthisthirdperiodofthedevelopmentofherideas，therecametoModesteapassionatedesiretopenetratetotheheartofoneoftheseabnormalbeings;tounderstandtheworkingofthethoughtsandthehiddengriefsofgenius，——toknownotonlywhatitwantedbutwhatitwas。Attheperiodwhenthisstorybegins，thesevagariesoffancy，theseexcursionsofhersoulintothevoid，thesefeelersputforthintothedarknessofthefuture，theimpatienceofanungivenlovetofinditsgoal，thenobilityofallherthoughtsoflife，thedecisionofhermindtosufferinasphereofhigherthingsratherthanflounderinthemarshesofprovinciallifelikehermother，thepledgeshehadmadetoherselfnevertofailinconduct，buttorespectherfather’shearthandbringithappiness，——allthisworldoffeelingandsentimenthadlatelycometoaclimaxandtakenshape。Modestewishedtobethefriendandcompanionofapoet，anartist，amaninsomewaysuperiortothecrowdofmen。Butsheintendedtochoosehim，——nottogivehimherheart，herlife，herinfinitetendernessfreedfromthetrammelsofpassion，untilshehadcarefullyanddeeplystudiedhim。
Shebeganthisprettyromancebysimplyenjoyingit。Profoundtranquillitysettleddownuponhersoul。Hercheekstookonasoftcolor;andshebecamethebeautifulandnobleimageofGermany，suchaswehavelatelyseenher，thegloryoftheChalet，theprideofMadameLatournelleandtheDumays。Modestewaslivingadoubleexistence。Sheperformedwithhumble，lovingcarealltheminutedutiesofthehomelylifeattheChalet，usingthemasareintoguidethepoetryofherideallife，liketheCarthusianmonkswholabormethodicallyonmaterialthingstoleavetheirsoulsthefreertodevelopinprayer。Allgreatmindshaveboundthemselvestosomeformofmechanicaltoiltoobtaingreatermasteryofthought。Spinosagroundglassesforspectacles;Baylecountedthetilesontheroof;
Montesquieugardened。Thebodybeingthussubdued，thesoulcouldspreaditswingsinallsecurity。