About this time Miss Barrymore went to London. Charles had accepted Haddon Chambers's play "The Tyranny of Tears," in which John Drew was to star in America. She got the impression that she would be cast for one of the two female parts in this play, and she studied the costuming and other details. With eager expectancy she called on Frohman in London. Much to her surprise Frohman said: "Well, Ethel, what can I do for you?" "Won't I play with Uncle John?" she said. "No, I am sorry to say you will not," replied Frohman. This was a tragic blow. It was in London that Miss Barrymore received this first great disappointment, and it was in London that she made her first success. Charles Frohman, who from this time on became much impressed with her appealing charm and beauty, gave her a small role with the company he sent over with Gillette to play "Secret Service" in the British capital. Odette Tyler played the leading comedy part. One night when Miss Barrymore was standing in the wings the stage-manager rushed up to her and said, excitedly: "You will have to play Miss Tyler's part." "But I don't know her lines," said Miss Barrymore. "That makes no difference; you will have to play. She's gone home sick." "How about her costume?" said Miss Barrymore. "Miss Tyler was so ill that we could not ask her to change her costume. She wore it away with her," was the reply. Dressed as she was, Miss Barrymore, who had watched the play carefully, and who has an extremely good memory, walked on, played the part, and made a hit. When the "Secret Service" company returned to America, Miss Barrymore remained in London. She lived in a small room alone. Her funds were low and she had only one evening gown. But she had the Barrymore wit and charm, her own beauty, and was in much social demand. By the time she prepared to quit England the one gown had seen its best days. She had arranged to sail for home on a certain Saturday. The night before sailing she was invited to a supper at the home of Anthony Hope. Just as she was about to dress she received a telegram from Ellen Terry, who was playing at the Lyceum Theater, saying: _Do come and say good-by before you go._ When she arrived at the Lyceum, the first thing that Miss Terry said was, "Sir Henry wants to say good-by to you." On going into the adjoining dressing-room the great actor said to her: "Wouldn't you like to stay in England?" "Of course," said Miss Barrymore. "Would you like to play with me?" he asked. Coining at her hour of discouragement and despair, it was like manna from heaven. Her knees quaked, but she managed to say, "Y-e-s." "All right," said Sir Henry. "Go down-stairs. Loveday has a contract that is ready for you to sign." With this precious contract stuffed into her bosom, Miss Barrymore now rode in triumph to the Hope supper-party. "What a pity that you have got to leave England," said Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. "But I am going to stay," said Miss Barrymore.