Much of the material used in the book I have obtained from the descendants of Madame Roland, now living in Paris. My relations with them came about through that distinguished scholar and gentleman, the late James Darmesteter. Learning that I was interested in Madame Roland, he kindly sent me to her great-grandson M. Léon Marillier, a professor in the _École des Hautes Études_, of Paris. M. Marillier and his wife were of the greatest service to me, called my attention to the manuscripts which Madame Faugère had turned over to the _Bibliothèque_, and which had just been catalogued, and gave me for examination a large quantity of letters and _cahiers_ from Madame Roland’s girlhood. There also I met their mother, Madame Cécile Marillier. To her I owe a debt of gratitude for sympathy and help, which I can never repay. Madame Marillier gave me freely the family legends of her grandmother, and in May, 1892, I spent a fortnight at Le Clos, the family home of the Rolands, where Madame Roland passed her happiest, most natural years. The old place is rife with memories of its former mistress, and it was there and afterwards in Villefranche that I found material for Chapters IV. and V. I cannot close this introductory word without acknowledging, too, my indebtedness to the librarians of the _Bibliothèque Nationale_, of Paris. During three years I worked there almost daily, and I was treated with uniform courtesy and served willingly and intelligently. Indeed, I may say the same for all libraries and museums of Paris where I had occasion to seek information. I. M. T. CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE THE GIRLHOOD OF MANON PHLIPON 1 CHAPTER II LOVERS AND MARRIAGE 31 CHAPTER III SEEKING A TITLE 73 CHAPTER IV COUNTRY LIFE 87 CHAPTER V HOW THE ROLANDS WELCOMED THE REVOLUTION 112 CHAPTER VI FIRST POLITICAL SALON 134 CHAPTER VII A STICK IN THE WHEEL 155 CHAPTER VIII WORKING FOR A SECOND REVOLUTION 168 CHAPTER IX DISILLUSION 210 CHAPTER X BUZOT AND MADAME ROLAND 226 CHAPTER XI THE ROLANDS TURN AGAINST THE REVOLUTION 245 CHAPTER XII IN PRISON 264