He avoided and put off all introduction to her.

Madame Sand was ignorant of this.

In consequence of that captivating simplicity, which is one of her noblest charms, she did not divine his fear of the Delphic priestess.

At last she was presented to him, and an acquaintance with her soon dissipated the prejudices which he had obstinately nourished against female authors.
In the fall of 1837, Chopin was attacked by an alarming illness, which left him almost without force to support life.

Dangerous symptoms forced him to go South to avoid the rigor of winter.