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MEMOIES OF RACHEL. 67

sequence of this fearful excitement in one of her delicacy of
constitution was the illness that necessitated her long sojourn
in Egypt. That this overwrought state may at times have
been somewhat exaggerated for the sake of effect is very prob-
able ; at any rate, after the most laborious scenes, such as
those of fourth and fifth acts, she frequently fell fainting in
the arms of her mother and her maid, who were always wait-
ing for her behind the scenes-

CHAPTER VHI.

1840.

Alarming Incident — Three Plays revived this year: "Nicomede,"
"Polyencte," and "Marie Stuart ''—Benefit of Mademoiselle The-
nard at Versailles.—'Why Racine is generally preferred to Corneille.
—Mademoiselle Rachel as Pauline.—Commences her Tour throngh
the Provinces. — Debut at Rouen. — Letter to the Manager. — The
Medallion of "my second Father."—Success at Lyons, &c., &c.—
Reappearance at the Theatre Frangais.—Indifference of the Public
for the classical Drama.—Artistic Selfishness.

THE year 1840 was ushered in in rather an alarming man-
ner for Mademoiselle Rachel, who was then residing in the
Passage Ve'rot Dodat. She was roused from her sleep at four
o'clock in the morning of the 1st of January by the blazing
and crackling of the bed-room floor. However, the fire, which
had originated in one of the shops of the firm of Aubert, on
the first floor, then filled with albums, portfolios, and other
combustibles for New Tear presents, was soon got under, and
little damage was done.

On the 22d of February Mademoiselle Rachel played in
Versailles. This was the first time she bad acted out of Paris,
The play was " Cinna," and it was given for the benefit of
Madame Th&ard, who always performed the part of confidante
to all the tragic characters of Mademoiselle Rachel, giving her
the cue.by her ready replies, and receiving her maternally in
her arms at the moment of the catastrophe.

A little incident, characteristic of the tragedienne's prone-
ness to make promises which she afterward regretted and made
no scruple of breaking, occurred on the occasion of this trip to



	MEMOIES OF RACHEL. 67 sequence of this fearful excitement in one of her delicacy of constitution was the illness that necessitated her long sojourn in Egypt. That this overwrought state may at times have been somewhat exaggerated for the sake of effect is very prob- able ; at any rate, after the most laborious scenes, such as those of fourth and fifth acts, she frequently fell fainting in the arms of her mother and her maid, who were always wait- ing for her behind the scenes-

	CHAPTER VHI. 1840. Alarming Incident — Three Plays revived this year: "Nicomede," "Polyencte," and "Marie Stuart ''—Benefit of Mademoiselle The- nard at Versailles.—'Why Racine is generally preferred to Corneille. —Mademoiselle Rachel as Pauline.—Commences her Tour throngh the Provinces. — Debut at Rouen. — Letter to the Manager. — The Medallion of "my second Father."—Success at Lyons, &c., &c.— Reappearance at the Theatre Frangais.—Indifference of the Public for the classical Drama.—Artistic Selfishness. THE year 1840 was ushered in in rather an alarming man- ner for Mademoiselle Rachel, who was then residing in the Passage Ve'rot Dodat. She was roused from her sleep at four o'clock in the morning of the 1st of January by the blazing and crackling of the bed-room floor. However, the fire, which had originated in one of the shops of the firm of Aubert, on the first floor, then filled with albums, portfolios, and other combustibles for New Tear presents, was soon got under, and little damage was done. On the 22d of February Mademoiselle Rachel played in Versailles. This was the first time she bad acted out of Paris, The play was " Cinna," and it was given for the benefit of Madame Th&ard, who always performed the part of confidante to all the tragic characters of Mademoiselle Rachel, giving her the cue.by her ready replies, and receiving her maternally in her arms at the moment of the catastrophe. A little incident, characteristic of the tragedienne's prone- ness to make promises which she afterward regretted and made no scruple of breaking, occurred on the occasion of this trip to