“But that is ridiculous!” angrily said Sarah. “Never before in my life have I been so insulted! I will either play La Dame aux Camélias to-night, or I will pack up and return to France by the next boat!”
The two men cried out in protest.
“You can’t do that!” said Abbey. “There must be some way out of the difficulty!”
“I shall play La Dame aux Camélias to-night, as arranged!” said Sarah, as if this was the last word on the subject.
Abbey and the manager of Booth’s Theatre took their departure, after arguing with her for some time, but in vain.
“She will do it!” said Abbey, with conviction. “When Sarah Bernhardt makes up her mind, heaven and earth cannot change it.”
“But we must do something!” said the manager, in despair.
“I have it!” exclaimed Abbey. “We will play La Dame, but we will call it something else. They will never know the difference.”
When Sarah Bernhardt arrived at the theatre that night, she was astounded to see huge red placards outside, announcing that she would play Camille.
She rushed to Jarrett, the first man she met on the stage.