Sophia Cannet.--Roland de la Platière.--M. Roland.--His personal appearance.--Character of M. Roland.--First impressions.--Jane's appreciation of M. Roland.--Minds and hearts.--Journal of M. Roland.--His notes on Italy.--The light in which Jane and M. Roland regard each other.--M. Roland professes his attachment.--Feelings of Jane.--M. Roland writes to Jane's father.--Insulting letter of M. Phlippon.--Jane retires to a convent.--Her mode of life there.--Correspondence with M. Roland.--He returns to Paris.--M. Roland renews his offers to Jane.--They are married.--First year of married life.--Madame Roland's devotion to her husband.--Birth of a daughter.--Literary pursuits.--Application for letters-patent of nobility.--Visit to England.--Removal to Lyons.--La Platière and its inmates.--Death of M. Roland's mother.--Situation of La Platière.--Description of La Platière.--Surrounding scenery.--Years of happiness.--Mode of life.--Eudora.--Domestic duties.--Literary employments.--Pleasant rambles.--Distinguished guests.--Rural pleasures.--Knowledge of medicine.--Kindness to the peasantry.--Gratitude of the peasantry.--Popular rights.
When Jane was in the convent, she became acquainted with a young lady from Amiens, Sophia Cannet. They formed for each other a strong attachment, and commenced a correspondence which continued for many years. There was a gentleman in Amiens by the name of Roland de la Platière, born of an opulent family, and holding the quite important office of inspector of manufactures. His time was mainly occupied in traveling and study. Being deeply interested in all subjects relating to political economy, he had devoted much attention to that noble science, and had written several treatises upon commerce, mechanics, and agriculture, which had given him, in the literary and scientific world, no little celebrity. He frequently visited the father of Sophia. She often spoke to him of her friend Jane, showed him her portrait, and read to him extracts from her glowing letters. The calm philosopher became very much interested in the enthusiastic maiden, and entreated Sophia to give him a letter of introduction to her, upon one of his annual visits to Paris. Sophia had also often written to Jane of her father's friend, whom she regarded with so much reverence.