A call-boy rushed through the theatre screaming: “Bernhardt is dead! Bernhardt is dead!”
With one accord the entire cast rushed off the stage to Sarah’s dressing-room, where they were met by an extraordinary sight.
Sarah was reclining, dressed completely in white, on a flat couch placed in the middle of the floor. Her hands were crossed over her bosom, which appeared to be motionless, and a red stain was visible on her chin and neck. At the four corners of the couch were placed gigantic candles, like the cierges used in churches.
Who had placed her like that? Nobody knew. Her dressing-maid was in hysterics, and could not be questioned. Duquesnel came in and, taking in the tableau in a glance, burst into tears.
The performance was stopped and the curtain rung down. A doctor and an undertaker were hurriedly sent for, and the audience was informed by the grief-stricken Duquesnel that “Mademoiselle Sarah Bernhardt had suddenly passed away.”
Then, and then only, did Sarah sit up, kick over the candles with a sweep of her legs, and amaze and scandalise the mourners by going into screams of helpless laughter. Duquesnel was white with anger. Running to his office, he wrote and signed a note cancelling her contract, and stating that after that night her services would not be required.
Sarah threw the note in his face and flung herself out of the theatre. For hours she drove about in the Champs Elysées, careless of the falling snow. Next day Duquesnel sent her a note stating that, on reconsideration, she would be permitted to return, but that an apology would be expected.
A few hours later an emissary from Sarah arrived at the theatre. “She will not come back until you ask her to do so on your knees!” he told Duquesnel. The latter, realising that he stood in danger of losing his most popular star, went to Sarah’s home and apologised. Sarah reconsidered her remarks about making him get on his knees, and admitted that she had only meant to play a little joke, and had had no idea that it would go as far as it had. There, except for satirical comments on the “crazy Bernhardt” in the weekly papers, the matter ended.