Your pupil and friend begs you to come and hear the general rehearsal, which takes place at half-past seven punctually. Your consent will inspire her with courage, and your counsels with strength.
One more letter we must give; it is written from London during her visit in 1850, and shows how in the midst of many perplexities, disappointments, and sorrows Rachel still turned with affection to her old teacher. It is addressed to his daughter, Madame Toussaint.
It is eleven o'clock, I have just left the theatre. I acted Horace; how frightened I was! The curtain went up; an appalling silence. I entered, thunders of applause greeted me; then my terror increased fourfold. I began the first act; the public seemed more astonished than pleased at my manner of speaking, but as soon as they understood my success began. The arm-chair scene in the fourth act made the greatest sensation, and at the end of the monologue, several crowns fell at my feet. Why was he not there, your good father! How delighted he would have been to see that real art is understood everywhere. Why was he not there to complete my success by saying, "You did well, my child"?
Your father grieves me, he has not written yet. When you have read my letter, go to him, say to him, "Dear father, Rachel is far from us, she is sad; we must console her." And I am sure he will sit down to his bureau and write. Do not forget to do this, Adèle. I need it.
Poor, passionate, jealous, lovable, unhappy Rachel. Ever wandering away from what she knew to be right, and then, like the prodigal, confessing and begging to be forgiven.
In the appendix to the life of Samson, there are some reminiscences related of the great actress by his widow, showing so thoroughly her bad and good qualities, that we cannot resist giving them as they are told.
On the 14th April 1849, Samson acted as the Prince
