The season opened in due course, and a magnificent Company I was enabled to introduce: Mdlle. Titiens in the zenith of her powers; Christine Nilsson, who had made such a prodigious success the previous season at Her Majesty's; also Miss Clara Louise Kellogg, Mongini, Fraschini, Santley, etc. The performances were really of the first order, and Mozart's masterpieces were given with such strong combined casts as to attract the whole of London. In fact, the success was such as to paralyze the efforts of the rival manager. CHAPTER IX. PROPOSAL FOR AN OPERATIC UNION--TITIENS IN DUBLIN--HER SERVICES AS A PACIFICATOR--AUTUMN SEASON AT COVENT GARDEN--THE COMBINATION SEASON--IMMENSE SUCCESS--COSTA'S DESPOTISM--AN OPERATIC CONSPIRACY--LUCCA AND HER HUSBANDS. DURING my successful Drury Lane season, in the month of June, 1868, a letter addressed to me was left by an unknown person in the hall. The superscription on the envelope was in a disguised hand, but the letter enclosed was in the writing of Mr. Gye. The manager of the Royal Italian Opera proposed a coalition with the manager of Her Majesty's Theatre, and Mr. Gye suggested a personal interview on the subject. Here, however, is his letter:-- [COPY.] "Springfield House, "Wandsworth Road, "June 19th, 1868. "DEAR MR. MAPLESON, "The last time you were over here I believe we were pretty well agreed that our interests lay rather in the combination of the two operas than in fighting one another. As we shall both of us be making our engagements for the next year, if anything is to be arranged between us it is time it were thought about. I should be very glad to see you on the subject if you still remain in the same mind as when I saw you last. It would perhaps be well if we did not meet either at Drury Lane or at Covent Garden. Would you mind coming over here, or would you prefer our meeting somewhere in town? This matter, for obvious reasons, had better remain strictly _between ourselves_ for the present. "Yours very truly, "(Signed) FREDERICK GYE. "James Mapleson, Esq." * * * * * When I met Mr. Gye by appointment his first proposition was that we should work together at either of the two theatres, the other one being kept closed; and that I should take a quarter of the profits. I suggested, as a more equitable adjustment, an equal division of profits; and to that Mr. Gye at last agreed. Articles of partnership were then drawn up binding us to remain together for three years on the basis of half profits, and our agreement was to be kept secret for the next six months.