asked to go to the theatre and give his opinion of an actor of whom the manager had great hopes. Forrest attended the performance, and told the manager afterwards that the actor could never rise above respectable mediocrity. "But that Jewish-looking girl," he added, "that little bag of bones, with the marble face and the flaming eyes—there is demoniacal power in her. If she live, and does not burn out too soon, she will become something wonderful."
Bouffé, who was present at the rehearsal, is said to have exclaimed, "What an odd little girl! There is certainly something in her; but her place is not here."
Of this fact Rachel herself and the manager of the Gymnase soon became aware. The Vendéene was played sixty times, but without lucrative result. The audience was principally composed of Jews, coreligionists of the Félix family, who occupied the pit and gallery, while the stalls and boxes were empty. Her appearance and style of acting were not suited to the species of light comedy usually given at the theatre; and after attempting, without success, under Madame Volny's tuition, to undertake the rôle of Suzanne in the Marriage de Raison, she once more, on her own initiative, endeavoured to open negotiations with the Comédie Française through her old master. Saint Aulaire, and wrote the following letter to Védel:—
Monsieur, 16 Dec. 1837.
M. Saint Aulaire has informed you of my wish to present myself to the Comédie Française; you told him that I might have an interview with you on the subject. I beg you to let me know when you will grant me this favour.
Rachel Félix, of the Gymnase,
Rue Beauregard 18
