Sarah’s spirits fell like lead. How could she hope for an engagement at the Odéon, when one of the men who would have to sign her contract was the same who had, only a few days previously, said publicly that she could not act? Seeing her downcast Berton tried to reassure her.
“You need not be afraid of Chilly!” he said. “I have spoken to Duquesnel, and he is on our side. Chilly will have to agree!”
An appointment was made for Sarah to see Duquesnel on the following day and, after some further conversation, Berton offered to accompany Sarah home. In the cab Sarah asked him what was the reason for his interest in her.
“Since the day I saw you in Les Femmes Savantes at the Comédie Française,” Berton answered, “I have believed that you would one day become a very great actress, but I believe also that you need someone to aid you with the directors, who do not understand your temperament. I have watched you for two years, and I am prepared to help you at the Odéon, as far as possible, if you will allow me to do so.”
Pierre Berton, Husband of Mme. Berton, and one of Sarah’s Earliest Intimate Friends.
Sarah’s reply, Berton told me in later years after I had become his wife, was to seize and kiss his hand impulsively.
From that moment began the wonderful romance which developed between these two—Pierre Berton, the accomplished and successful actor, and Sarah Bernhardt, the débutante of twenty-two. Their relationship lasted a little over two years. When it finished—we shall see why presently—Sarah was as great an actress as he an actor. In two short years she had leaped to fame.
They met, as arranged, in Duquesnel’s office at the Odéon, on the day following Sarah’s meeting with Berton and Doucet. Sarah was immediately taken with Duquesnel, a mild, blue-eyed man, endowed with prodigious activity and with the name of being possibly the greatest metteur-en-scène in Paris. He was exceedingly courteous to her and set her at ease immediately by declaring that he thought her engagement could easily be arranged.
She asked about Chilly. “You shall see him to-morrow,” promised Duquesnel. Sarah looked at Berton.