Only five more days’ holiday were left to me, and I passed them at the Pointe du Raz, seated in a niche of rock which has been since named “Sarah Bernhardt’s Arm-chair.” Many tourists have sat there since.
After my holiday I returned to Paris. But I was still very weak, and could only take up my work towards the month of November. I played all the pieces of my répertoire, and I was annoyed at not having any new rôles.
One day Perrin came to see me in my sculptor’s studio. He began to talk at first about my busts; he told me that I ought to do his medallion, and asked me incidentally if I knew the rôle of Phèdre. Up to that time I had only played Aricie, and the part of Phèdre seemed formidable to me. I had, however, studied it for my own pleasure.
“Yes, I know the rôle of Phèdre. But I think if ever I had to play it I should die of fright.”
A CORNER OF THE LIBRARY
He laughed with his silly little laugh, and said to me, squeezing my hand (for he was very gallant), “Work it up. I think that you will play it.”
In fact, eight days after I was called to the manager’s office, and Perrin told me that he had announced Phèdre for December 21, the fête of Racine, with Mlle. Sarah Bernhardt in the part of Phèdre. I thought I should have fallen.
“Well, but what about Mademoiselle Rousseil?” I asked.
“Mademoiselle Rousseil wants the committee to promise that she shall become a Sociétaire in the month of January, and the committee, which will without doubt appoint her, refuses to make this promise, and declares that her demand is like a threat. But perhaps Mademoiselle Rousseil will change her plans, and in that case you will play Aricie and I will change the bill.”