“We shall have to break our contract with the Comédie if you don’t come,” he said, “for the business cannot go through.”
Frightened at the consequences of my bad temper, I ran to see Perrin, and told him that after the consultation I had just had with Mayer, I understood the involuntary injury I should be causing to the Théâtre Français and to my comrades, and I told him I was ready to go under any conditions.
The Committee was holding a meeting. Perrin asked me to wait and shortly after he returned: Croizette and I had been appointed Associates with full benefit (Sociétaires à part entière), not only for London, but for always.
Everybody had done his duty. Perrin, very much touched, took both my hands and drew me to him:
“Oh, the good and untamable little creature!”
We embraced and peace was again concluded between us. But it could not last long, for five days after this reconciliation, about nine o’clock in the evening, M. Perrin was announced at my house. I had company for dinner. Nevertheless, I was about to receive him in the hall. He held out to me a paper.
“Read that,” said he.
And I read in an English newspaper, the Times, this paragraph:
“Drawing-room Comedies of Mlle. Sarah Bernhardt, under the management of Sir Benedict:
“The répertoire of Mlle. Sarah Bernhardt is composed of comedies, proverbs, one-act plays and monologues, written especially for her and one or two artistes of the Comédie Française. These comedies are played without accessories or scenery, and can be adapted both in London and Paris to the matinées and soirées of the best society. For all details and conditions please communicate with Mr. Jarrett (Secretary of Mlle. Sarah Bernhardt) at His Majesty’s Theatre.”