Page:Rachel (1887 Nina H. Kennard).djvu/83

(Dowager) at Marlborough House. All the Court will be there; I am so frightened. The English journalists say quantities of nice things about me, and all unsolicited (sans cartes de visites)."

When her sister Sarah came over from Paris, she wrote:—

 

How glad I am I made Sarah come over! I am so sad, far from all those I love, not able even to talk of them! I am sure this separation, in a great measure, caused my illness.

I was at Windsor when Sarah arrived (the day after my evening passed at Queen Victoria's). What can I tell you of the reception the English people have given me? The papers will tell you it all better than I can. I played Marie Stuart yesterday, the 14th June. My success in this new rôle was complete. Two bouquets and two crowns fell at my feet amid thunders of applause. The receipts amounted to 30,000 francs and some guineas; 4,000 were taken to pay expenses, and 13,000 were sent to me next morning. I am delighted.

I have given up private recitations, my health obliges me to; dining out only is permitted. I received a beautiful bracelet from Sa Majesté la Reine (Regent) (sic), and I supped at Windsor after a most gracious and flattering reception by Her Majesty. She was unable to honour my benefit by her presence; she expressed her regret to me. I send a rough copy of the letter I wrote her the day after the evening I spent there. My father will be in Paris on the 19th, and will give j'ou some papers to read.

Your friend,
Rachel.

 

Lord William Lennox, in his Recollections, describes the reception given by the young Queen to Rachel, to whom the Duchess of Kent presented her:—

 

One of the greatest dramatic triumphs I ever witnessed was achieved by Mademoiselle Rachel. Upon one occasion, when I had the honour of receiving a command to dine at Windsor Castle, during the lifetime of the Prince Consort, she was engaged to go through the principal scenes from Marie Stuart, Orestes, and Les Horaces, supported by two or three of the French Company then acting in London. There were no "accessories." no stage, no scenery, no costumes. The performance took place in an alcove in the large drawing-room, where nothing could have riveted the attention of the audience but the consummate skill of the artiste, who so thoroughly identified herself with