Five days later Mile. Debay was well again, and took her _rôle_ as usual. Before accepting an engagement at the Porte Saint Martin, I wrote to Camille Doucet. The following day I received a letter asking me to call at the Ministry. It was not without some emotion that I went to see this kind man again. He was standing up waiting for me when I was ushered into the room. He held out his hands to me, and drew me gently towards him. “Oh, what a terrible child!” he said, giving me a chair. “Come now, you must be calmer. It will never do to waste all these admirable gifts in voyages, escapades, and boxing people’s ears.” I was deeply moved by his kindness, and my eyes were full of regret as I looked at him. “Now, don’t cry, my dear child; don’t cry. Let us try and find out how we are to make up for all this folly.” He was silent for a moment, and then, opening a drawer, he took out a letter. “Here is something which will perhaps save us,” he said. It was a letter from Duquesnel, who had just been appointed manager of the Odéon Theatre in conjunction with Chilly. “They ask me for some young artistes to make up the Odéon company. Well, we must attend to this.” He got up, and, accompanying me to the door, said as I went away, “We shall succeed.” I went back home and began at once to rehearse all my _rôles_ in Racine’s plays. I waited very anxiously for several days, consoled by Madame Guérard, who succeeded in restoring my confidence. Finally I received a letter, and went at once to the Ministry. Camille Doucet received me with a beaming expression on his face. “It’s settled,” he said. “Oh, but it has not been easy, though,” he added. “You are very young, but very celebrated already for your headstrong character. But I have pledged my word that you will be as gentle as a young lamb.” “Yes, I will be gentle, I promise,” I replied, “if only out of gratitude. But what am I to do?” “Here is a letter for Félix Duquesnel,” he replied; “he is expecting you.” I thanked Camille Doucet heartily, and he then said, “I shall see you again, less officially, at your aunt’s on Thursday. I have received an invitation this morning to dine there, so you will be able to tell me what Duquesnel says.” It was then half-past ten in the morning. I went home to put some pretty clothes on. I chose a dress the underskirt of which was of canary yellow, the dress being of black silk with the skirt scalloped round, and a straw conical-shaped hat trimmed with corn, and black ribbon velvet under the chin. It must have been delightfully mad looking. Arrayed in this style, feeling very joyful and full of confidence, I went to call on Félix Duquesnel. I waited a few moments in a little room, very artistically furnished. A young man appeared, looking very elegant. He was smiling and altogether charming. I could not grasp the fact that this fair-haired, gay young man would be my manager. After a short conversation we agreed on every point we touched.