Such a marriage could not be expected to, and did not, turn out very well; but it did not turn out as ill as it might have done.

Except that M.de Stael was rather extravagant (which he probably supposed he had bought the right to be) nothing serious is alleged against him; and though more than one thing serious might be alleged against his wife, it is doubtful whether either contracting party thought this out of the bargain.

For business reasons, chiefly, a separation was effected between the pair in 1798, but they were nominally reconciled four years later, just before Stael's death.
Meanwhile the Revolution broke out, and Madame de Stael, who, as she was bound to do, had at first approved it, disapproved totally of the Terror, tried to save the Queen, and fled herself from France to England.

Here she lived in Surrey with a questionable set of _emigres_, made the acquaintance of Miss Burney, and in consequence of the unconventionalities of her relations, especially with M.de Narbonne, received, from English society generally, a cold shoulder, which she has partly avenged, or tried to avenge, in _Corinne_ itself.

She had already written, or was soon to write, a good deal, but nothing of the first importance.