St. Petersburg talked much of Sarah’s affair with Damala, as may be supposed. The two were so open about it. The Court, and the gentle little Empress, were shocked. There were no more command performances. Russian high society was beginning to look askance at this beautiful genius, who was so scornful of convention.
The code in Russia was that a man could do what he liked. If his rank was high enough, he could commit murder without losing caste. But a woman had to walk within a strictly defined circle, which was drawn by the Empress herself. Once she stepped beyond that circle she could never get a footing inside it again. Sarah had stepped outside, and she did not care.
Soon after this we left St. Petersburg, but not before an incident occurred which will bear relating, even though Sarah was not directly concerned in it.
We were playing one night when, during the third entr’acte, I received a message from a call-boy who looked very awed and yet very important.
“The Grand Duke V—— desires that you will go to his box,” was the message.
Grand Dukes counted for little in my life and I, a Republican to the backbone, was vexed at the peremptory fashion in which the request was framed.
“Tell His Imperial Highness that I am not in the habit of going to private boxes during a performance!” I said.
The boy looked a little startled, but took my reply. In a few minutes he was back.
This time there was no mistaking the character of the message.
“His Imperial Highness presents his compliments to Mademoiselle Thérèse, and wishes to inform her that he will await her for supper, after the performance.”