“And you, are you afraid, too?” The firm voice reappeared. “No, sir.” He looked at me, a slightly ironical smile played on his lips, and he said: “Then you think that you are an artist?” His remark cut me to the quick, but I felt that I must endure everything. I experienced, nevertheless, a great temptation to cry. My assurance reasserted itself. “I have never thought that,” I replied. “But I should like to become an artist, some day, if I am able.” “And that is why you are anxious to see the great French tragedienne play?” “Yes, I suppose so. But I was thinking only of my longing to see her, and it was on that account that I came here.” “Very well, I am going to give you seats for yourself and your mother.” “Oh, thank you, sir.” The manager drew a card from his pocket, wrote something on it and handed it to me. It was a permit for us to see Sarah Bernhardt play! I looked at the card and looked at the manager. He smiled and I smiled. He extended his hand. I extended both of mine. While he held my hands he said to me: “You have my card. Come and see me. Perhaps I can find you an engagement, little girl.” There was a new pleasure, and not a vain pleasure, for this man’s promise was one that was destined to be fulfilled. “Thank you, thank you very much, sir.” I went out blinded with tears of happiness, which I could no longer restrain, and, rejoining my mother, I left the theatre. “What’s the matter, my dear Loie? What did they say to make you cry so? What is it?” “Mamma, mamma, I have a ticket to see her--to see her!” “Oh, I am so pleased, my dear.” “And I have a seat for you, too!” The great day came. We were seated, my mother and I, in the orchestra stalls. About us there were American artists. In the boxes were the managers of all the New York theatres and their wives. The house was filled to overflowing. The three bangs announced the rising of the curtain. Silence ensued and the play began, I did not understand a word and no one around me, I fancy, did, either. But everybody awaited the culminating moment. _She_ appeared, and there was an almost painful silence in the great overcrowded hall. Every one held his breath. She came forward lightly, appearing barely to brush the earth. Then she stopped in the middle of the stage, and surveyed this audience of actors. Suddenly pandemonium was let loose. Madness fell upon the house, and for a quarter of an hour she stood thus, prevented from playing by the din of the theatre, as if she were the audience. She looked round, interested, inspired and moved. This tumultuous crowd was playing with magnificent sincerity a part of indescribable enthusiasm. Finally silence was restored. Sarah Bernhardt came forward and began to read her lines. I believe I understood her soul, her life, her greatness. She shared her personality with me! The stage settings were lost on me. I saw and heard only her.