After he came to the throne, King Edward VII. and Queen Alexandra invariably “commanded” a performance whenever Sarah was in London. It might be at Windsor, or at Sandringham, or in London, but afterwards the kindly King and the lovely Queen of England would carry Sarah off for a confidential chat in the homelike atmosphere of their private apartments.
Sarah had hundreds of reminiscences to relate regarding her two Royal friends. How she loved Queen Alexandra!
In 1904 Sarah had another and severe attack of phlebitis while on tour in America, and lay ill for a long time in San Francisco. It was thought then that she would eventually lose her limb. The poison was gradually creeping upwards, and she could not put her foot to the ground without intense pain. She remained a fortnight in bed, with her leg held up by a pulley.
Sarah’s fortitude throughout her long trial was amazing. As soon as her foot became sufficiently well to stand upon, she insisted on returning to the theatre.
Finally, when she was playing in Bordeaux in the early spring of 1915 she had another and more critical attack, and was taken to Dr. Moure’s private clinic.
Dr. Pozzi, the famous surgeon, was sent for from Paris, but after examination he shook his head.
“Amputation cannot save her,” he said, and he refused to undertake the operation.
Another doctor was sent for, Dr. Denucce, also a great surgeon. Dr. Denucce put the situation squarely before the actress.
“There is one hope for you—amputation—but it is a chance in a thousand, for the infection has reached the spine,” he told her.
Sarah heard her sentence calmly.