First representation of Soulié's _Roméo et Juliette_--Anaïs and Lockroy--Why French actresses cannot act Juliet--The studies of the Conservatoire--A second _Christine_ at the Théâtre-Français--M. Évariste Dumoulin and Madame Valmonzey--Conspiracy against me--I give up my turn to have my play produced--How I found the subject of _Henri III._--My opinion of that play. CHAPTER XV The reading of _Henri III._ at M. Villenave's and M. Roqueplan's--Another reading at Firmin's--Béranger is present--A few words about his influence and popularity--Effect produced by my drama--Reception by the Comédie-Française--Struggle for the distribution of parts--M. de Broval's ultimatum--Convicted of the crime of poetry I appeal to the Duc d'Orléans--His Royal Highness withholds my salary--M. Laffitte lends me three thousand francs--Condemnation of Béranger. CHAPTER XVI The Duc d'Orléans has my salary stopped--A scribbler (_folliculaire_)--_Henri III._ and the Censorship--My mother is seized with paralysis--Cazal--Edmond Halphen--A call on the Duc d'Orléans--First night of _Henri III._--Effect is produced on M. Deviolaine--M. de Broval's congratulations. CHAPTER XVII The day following my victory--_Henri III._ is interdicted--I obtain an audience with M. de Martignac--He removes the interdiction-_Les hommes-obstacles_--The Duc d'Orléans sends for me into his box--His talk with Charles X. on the subject of my drama--Another scribbler--Visit to Carrel--Gosset's shooting-box and pistols No. 5--An impossible duel. BOOK III CHAPTER I The Arsenal--Nodier's house--The master's profile--The congress of bibliophiles--The three candles--Debureau--Mademoiselle Mars and Merlin--Nodier's family--His friends--In which houses I am at my best--The salon of the Arsenal--Nodier as a teller of tales--The ball and the warming-pan. CHAPTER II Oudard transmits to me the desires of the Duc d'Orléans--I am appointed assistant librarian--How this saved His Highness four hundred francs--Rivalry with Casimir Delavigne--Petition of the Classical School against Romantic productions--Letter of support from Mademoiselle Duchesnois--A fantastic dance--The person who called Racine a _blackguard_--Fine indignation of the _Constitutionnel_--First representation of _Marino Faliero_ CHAPTER III Mesmerism--Experiment during a trance--I submit to being mesmerised--My observation upon it--I myself start to mesmerise--Experiment made in a diligence--Another experiment in the house of the _procureur de la République_ of Joigny--Little Marie D****--Her political predictions--I cure her of fear. CHAPTER IV