In 1836, at a party hosted by Marie d'Agoult, Chopin met the French author George Sand (born [Amantine] Aurore [Lucile] Dupin). Short (under five feet, or 152 cm), dark, big-eyed and a cigar smoker, she initially repelled Chopin, who remarked, "What an unattractive person la Sand is. Is she really a woman?" However, by early 1837 Maria Wodzińska's mother had made it clear to Chopin in correspondence that a marriage with her daughter was unlikely to proceed. It is thought that she was influenced by his poor health and possibly also by rumours about his associations with women such as d'Agoult and Sand. Chopin finally placed the letters from Maria and her mother in a package on which he wrote, in Polish, "My tragedy". Sand, in a letter to Grzymała of June 1838, admitted strong feelings for the composer and debated whether to abandon a current affair in order to begin a relationship with Chopin; she asked Grzymała to assess Chopin's relationship with Maria Wodzińska, without realising that the affair, at least from Maria's side, was over. COUNT 10
QSN1 Who was the host of the gathering where Frédéric was introduced to George Sand? ANS1 Marie d'Agoult QSN2 What did Frédéric label the place in which he placed Maria and her mother's letters about the unlikely marriage? ANS2 My tragedy QSN3 Who did George Sand write to when admitting having a strong affection for Frédéric? ANS3 Grzymała QSN4 What is the name of the author Chopin met at a gathering put on by Marie d'Agoult? ANS4 George Sand QSN5 What was a possible reason for Chopin's failed engagement to Maria Wodzińska? ANS5 his poor health QSN6 What did Chopin write on the box of letters from Maria and her mother? ANS6 My tragedy QSN7 Who hosted the party whre Chopin met George Sand? ANS7 Marie d'Agoult QSN8 What year did Maria Wodzińska's mother tell Chopin that he likely would not marry her daughter? ANS8 1837 QSN9 What did Chopin write on the package that contained letters from Maria and her mother? ANS9 My tragedy QSN10 Who did Sand confide to in a letter about her feelings for Chopin in June, 1838? ANS10 Grzymała