for hastening matters, as the theatre was occupied by the representation of a drama by M. Dumas. This letter was virtually a recantation of all her promises, as nothing would induce her to recommence the rehearsals; and shortly after she accepted an engagement in Russia, and started on the 15th October. On the eve of her departure she wrote the following characteristic letter:—
I have made up my mind to go, and have summoned to my aid all the courage I can boast of to enable me to face the cold and cruel winter I must encounter. I beg you, Monsieur, not to add to my troubles—of which I have already so many—by being angry with me. I keep Medea, and hope to find her still a virgin on my return; but, whatever happens, I like her well enough to rescue her from whoever may have taken possession of her. Forgive the suggestion. You have often told me you were my friend. This is the moment to prove it to me.
Your devoted
Rachel.
The author's feelings can be imagined. He had been hoaxed! Rachel had actually arranged the terms of her engagement at St. Petersburg while declaring to him she was so ill she could not rehearse, and now she seemed even to infer that another might act in it before she did.
"I rushed off to see her," relates M. Legouvé. "'Madame is out.' I was prepared for this, and returned the same evening. 'Madame is ill.' I was prepared for this also. But a day or two after she played Polyeucte. The piece over, she found me in her loge when she left the stage." The interview that followed was a violent one, and strange details, we believe, have been given by Legouvé himself in a pamphlet published after her death. An open declaration of war ensued between them; but Rachel went to Russia, and for a time nothing more was said. On
