Madame Desbordes-Valmore was one of the three women whom Balzac used
as a model in portraying some of the traits of his noted character,
Cousin Bette. He made Douai, her native place, the setting of _La
Recherche de l'Absolu_, and dedicated to her in 1845 one of his early
stories, _Jesus-Christ en Flandres_:

"To Marceline Desbordes-Valmore,

"To you, daughter of Flanders, who are one of its modern glories, I
dedicate this naive tradition of old Flanders.

"DE BALZAC."


Though Balzac's first play, and first attempt in literature,
_Cromwell_, was a complete failure, this did not deter him from
longing to become a successful playwright. After having established
himself as a novelist, he turned again to this field of literature.
Having written several plays, he was acquainted, naturally, with the
leading actresses of his day; among these was Madame Dorval, whom he
liked. He purposed giving her the main role in _Les Ressources de
Quinola_, but when he assembled the artists to hear his play, he had
not finished it, and improvised the fifth act so badly that Madame
Dorval left the room, refusing to accept her part.

Again, he wished her to take the leading role in _La Maratre_ (as the
play was called after she had objected to the name, _Gertrude,
Tragedie bourgeoise_). To their disappointment, however, the theater
director, Hostein, gave the heroine's part to Madame Lacressoniere;