Oh, that first performance at the Tuileries! It is stamped on my brain for ever, and with my eyes shut I can see every detail again even now. It had been arranged between Duquesnel and the official sent from the Court that Agar and I should go to the Tuileries to see the room where we were to play, in order to have it arranged according to the requirements of the piece. Count de Laferrière was to introduce me to the Emperor, who would then introduce me to the Empress Eugénie. Agar was to be introduced by Princess Mathilde, to whom she was then sitting as Minerva.
M. de Laferrière came for me at nine o’clock in a state carriage, and Madame Guérard accompanied me.
M. de Laferrière was a very agreeable man, with rather stiff manners. As we were turning round the Rue Royale the carriage had to draw up an instant, and General Fleury approached us. I knew him, as he had been introduced to me by Morny. He spoke to us, and Comte de Laferrière explained where we were going. As he left us he said to me, “Good luck!” Just at that moment a man who was passing by took up the words and called out, “Good luck, perhaps, but not for long, you crowd of good-for-nothings!”
On arriving at the Palace we all three got out of the carriage, and were shown into a small yellow drawing-room on the ground floor.
“I will go and inform his Majesty that you are here,” said M. de Laferrière, leaving us.
When alone with Madame Guérard I thought I would rehearse my three curtseys.
“Mon petit Dame,” I said, “tell me whether they are right.”
I made the curtseys, murmuring, “Sire ... Sire ...” I began over again several times, looking down at my dress as I said “Sire ...” when suddenly I heard a stifled laugh.
I stood up quickly, furious with Madame Guérard, but I saw that she too was bent over in a half circle. I turned round quickly, and behind me—was the Emperor. He was clapping his hands silently and laughing quietly, but still he was laughing. My face flushed, and I was embarrassed, for I wondered how long he had been there. I had been curtseying I do not know how many times, trying to get my reverence right, and saying, “There ... that’s too low.... There; is that right, Guérard?”
“Good Heavens!” I now said to myself. “Has he heard it all?”