FRANÇOIS THE WAIF

BY

GEORGE SAND

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY

JANE MINOT SEDGWICK

WITH AN ETCHING BY E. ABOT

NEW-YORK

GEORGE H. RICHMOND & CO.

1894

PREFATORY NOTE
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XX
CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXII
CHAPTER XXIII
CHAPTER XXIV
CHAPTER XXV

PREFATORY NOTE

François le Champi, a pretty idyl that tells of homely affections,self-devotion, "humble cares and delicate fears," opens a little vistainto that Arcadia to which, the poet says, we were all born. It offersmany difficulties to the translator. It is a rustic tale, put into themouths of peasants, who relate it with a primitive simplicity, sweet andfull of sentiment in the French, but prone to degenerate intomawkishness and monotony when turned into English. Great care has beentaken to keep the English of this version simple and idiomatic, and yetreligiously to avoid any breach of faith toward the author. It is hopedthat, though the original pure and limpid waters have necessarilycontracted some stain by being forced into another channel, they may yetyield refreshment to those thirsty souls who cannot seek them at thefountain-head.

J. M. S.

Stockbridge, January, 1894.

PREFACE

FRANÇOIS LE CHAMPI appeared for the firsttime in the feuilleton of the "Journal des Débats." Just as theplot of my story was reaching its development, another more seriousdevelopment was announced in the first column of the same newspaper. Itwas the final downfall of the July Monarchy, in the last days ofFebruary, 1848.

This catastrophe was naturally very prejudicial to my story, thepublication of which was interru

...