“You can have no idea of my existence in that infernal city that thinks itself the home of Art. “Thank heaven I have escaped to England and am, financially, more independent than I dared to hope. “Jullien, the manager here, is a most intrepid spirit and seems to understand English people; he has made his fortune and is going to make mine, he says. I let him have his own way since he does nothing unworthy of art and good taste--but I have my doubts. “I have come _alone_ to London; you may guess my reasons. I badly needed a little freedom which, so far, I have never been able to get. Not one _coup d’état_ but a whole series was necessary before I succeeded in shaking off my bonds. Yet now, although I am so busy with rehearsals, my loneliness seems very odd. “Since I am in a confidential mood, will you believe that I had a queer little love affair in St Petersburg with a girl--now don’t laugh like a full orchestra in C major! It was poetic, heart-rending, and perfectly innocent. “Oh, our walks! oh, the tears I shed when, like Faust’s Marguerite, she said: ‘What can you see in me--a poor girl so far beneath you?’ I thought I should die of despair when I left St Petersburg, and was really ill when I found no letter from her in Berlin. She _did_ promise to write, probably by now she is married. “I can picture it all again--the Neva banks, the setting sun. In a maze of passion I pressed her hand to my heart, and sang her the Love Song from _Romeo_. “Ah me! not two lines since I left her. “Good-bye; you at least will write to me.” _To_ AUGUSTE MOREL. “76 HARLEY STREET, LONDON, _31st November 1847_.--Jullien asks me confidentially to get your report on the success of Verdi’s new opera.[23] We begin next week with the _Bride of Lammermoor_, which can hardly help going well with Madame Gras and Reeves. He has a beautiful voice, and sings as well as this awful English language will allow. “I had a warm reception at one of Jullien’s concerts, but shall not begin my own until January. “Your friend, M. Grimblot, has given me the _entrée_ to his club, but heaven only knows what amusement is to be found in an English club. Macready gave a magnificent dinner in my honour last week; he is charming and most unassuming at home, though they say he is terrible at rehearsal. I have seen him in a new tragedy, _Philip van Artevelde_; he is grand, and has mounted the piece splendidly. “No one here understands the management and grouping of a crowd as he does. It is masterly.” * * * * * “_8th December._--The opening of our season was a success. Madame Gras and Reeves were recalled frantically four or five times, and they both deserved it.