My vital forces rebel against such negation of life. I am quite willing to die once for all, but I object to slight deaths such as those of which one has the sensation on dreamless nights. When I awoke, my maid told me that Jarrett was waiting for me to go to the theater, so that the valuation of my costumes could be terminated. I sent word to Jarrett that I had seen quite enough of the regiment from the customhouse, and I asked him to finish everything without me, as Mme. Guérard would be there. During the next two days the Terrapin, the Seated Cow and the Black Band made notes for the customhouse, took sketches for the papers and patterns of my dresses for customers. I began to get impatient, as we ought to have been rehearsing. Finally, I was told on Thursday morning that the business was over, and that I could not have my trunks until I had paid 28,000 francs for duty. I was seized with such a violent fit of laughing that poor Abbey, who had been terrified, caught it from me and even Jarrett showed his cruel teeth. “My dear Abbey,” I exclaimed, “arrange as you like about it, but I must make my début on Monday, the 8th of November, and to-day is Thursday. I shall be at the theater on Monday to dress. See that I have my trunks, for there was nothing about the customhouse in my contract. I will pay half, though, of what you have to give.” The 28,000 francs were handed over to an attorney who made a claim in my name on the Board of Customs. My trunks were left with me, thanks to this deposit, and the rehearsals commenced at Booth’s Theater. [Illustration: SARAH BERNHARDT AT HOME, BY WALTER SPINDLER.]