BERNHARDT (Sarah, 1844-1923, French Actress)

Autograph letter signed, in French with translation, to "Dear Beloved Master" rather hysterically asking for forgiveness presumably for having mistaken an appointment "I thought it was Tuesday. So ! So ! So ; I do not know what to say to you to be forgiven. You have to comfort me because I have a real sorrow. Master, master, when do you want me. Tell me a very very kind word ...", 2 sides 8vo., on monogrammed mourning paper, no place, no date, circa

In 1882, in Paris, Bernhardt met a Greek diplomat, Aristide Damala (known in France by his stage name Jacques Damala), (1855-1889) who was 11 years her junior, and notorious for his romantic affairs. She fell in love with him, and insisted that her tour be modified to include a stop in St. Petersburg. Bernhardt invited Damala to give up his diplomatic post to become an actor in her company, as well as her lover, and before long, they decided to marry. Without noticeable talent. Damala began taking large quantities of morphine, and following Bernhardt's great success in Fedora, Damala took every opportunity to criticize and humiliate her. She later discovered that he was using the money she gave him to buy presents for other women. In early December 1882, when she confronted him, he declared that he was going to North Africa to join the Foreign Legion, and disappeared. In early 1889, Damala reappeared at Bernhardt's door haggard, ill, and penniless. Bernhardt instantly forgave him and he continued to act, sometimes with success, particularly in a play by Georges Ohnet, Le Maître des Forges, in 1883. However, his morphine addiction had worsened. In August 1889, Bernhardt learned that he taken an overdose of morphine in Marseille. She hurried to his bedside and nursed him until he died on 18 August 1889, at the age of 34.
Transcription
Cher maître chéri.
Maître, pardonnez-moi. On me dit que c'est aujourd'hui mercredi et sur l'homme.
Je croyais que c'était mardi. Alors ! Alors ! Alors ; moi je ne sais pas quoi vous dire pour me faire pardonner. C'est vous qui devez me consoler car j'ai un réel chagrin. Maître,
maître, quand voulez-vous de moi. Dites-moi un mot très très aimable sans cela je n'oserais jamais.

Sarah Bernhardt

Translation
Dear beloved master.
Master, forgive me. I am told that today is Wednesday and about the man.
I thought it was Tuesday. So ! So ! So ; I do not know what to say to you to be forgiven. You have to comfort me because I have a real sorrow. Master, master, when do you want me. Tell me a very very kind word otherwise I would never dare.

Sarah Bernhardt

Item Date:  1890

Stock No:  39567      £325

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