Page:Rachel (1887 Nina H. Kennard).djvu/193

 In front of this sylvan background she recited various portions of Adrienne and Phèdre, amid much applause from Imperial and Royal hands, the Emperor of Russia informing her she was still greater than her reputation; and when she wished to rise to speak to him^ he begged her to remain seated. On her respectfully insisting, he took both her hands and gently made her sit down again, saying, "I beg you not to rise, Mademoiselle; if you do, I will retire."

These civilities were accompanied by an invitation to Petersburg, and a substantial testimonial in the shape of two magnificent opals surrounded with diamonds, while the King of Prussia, through Count Redern, sent her 20,000 francs, and placed the opera-house at Berlin at her disposal for six nights. She wrote:—

Poor Rachel! had she only known how little posterity would have troubled their heads or cared to know about "those incomparable days"! It is only by her own sprightly and amusing letter that we hear about them now; while she, the great tragedian, in spite of her crowd of admirers, with emperors and kings to do her honour, has become but a memory and a name.