The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-22
A Queer Queen.
A Theatrical Bit of Paris High Life.

Correspondence of New York Herald.
The curtain rises on "Cendrillon" at 30.
1t is true that the adorers of the diva are al
ways certain of seeing good deal of her from
their avant scene toward the middle OF the
piece. But that is not sufficient for Theo.
She desires that they should also see her in the
first act, in which lies the principal feature OF
attraction. 1t is an appearance so marvellously
lovely that it suffices to explain the popularity
of the new cinderella" The pretty head OF
Theo rises suddenly in the center of corbeille
of flowers illuminated by electric light The
coup d'nil is indescribably beautiful; no effect
like it has ever been seen at the theatre.
When anyone goes to her box to congratulate
her upon her performance she always eagerly
inquiries: "Did you come in time to see me in
my corbeille?" When she receives a reply in
the negative she usually dismisses her visitor
without further remark.
This popularity has naturally caused great
disturbance in the gastronomic habits OF the
ieunes elegants, who would do anything rather
than displease the star of their dreams. Some
breakfast later, some dine earlier, and all ar
range in one way or other to go to the Porte
st. Martin before 8 o'clock so as not to miss
the corbeille. 1t is a settled habit When
the Russian grand dukes passed through Paris
they twice advanced the hour Of their dinner
to go and see Theo in her corbeille a couple OF
evenings in succession. Prince Vladimir even
made Theo promise that she would introduce
this luminous corbeille in all her operettas
when she goes to sing in st. Petersburg. But
this is not all. Theo is daily invited to go and
give seances de corbeille at parties or at the
large clubs of the capital. The newspapers
have given the name of corbeillomanie. From
all this Theo derives fresh celebrity. 1t has
enabled her again to rally round her that
court of platonic adorers which for some time
past had been on the point of deserting her.
Among them are rich, intelligent and we'll
educated young men, the bearers of great
names, and who for the last six years have
had but ore idea, one object in life-that
of devoting themselves to Theo. 1t is
a devotion more inexplicable from the
fact that they derive bat little satisfaction
from it. The diva of their affections is faith
full to her husband working tailor and she
will not permit any one to make love to her.
Notwithstanding that the fact is indisputable,
her signing SWANS persist in their attentions.
Do they each entertain the secret hope that
some day or other Theo will be- less cruel to
them? 1t is probable. They continue, despite
all discouragement, to send her flowers and
presents. She deigns to accept them and they
commence over again the same game without
ever firing uttering the least complaint.
She has organized and regulated the whole of
her little court, establishing and defining clear
ly the duties and rights OF each OF its members.
The visits which she receives at the theatre
are divided into series. Certain admirers
can come to her dreSsing-room on the
MONDAYS others on the Tuesdays and so on
during the week. These visits are more or
less long according to tine degree of consider
alton in which the visitors are held. And she
presides over their receptions with the most
,fa taa 10
rights an of ancienete and to avoid bringing to-
gether people who detest each other or adorers
who belong to the same clique. All these
courtiers obey Theo as conscripts obey their in
structing captain. The diva moves about,
powders and dresses herself in the midst of the
daZzled faithful She places them all under
contribution, and is careful not to be ceremo-
ni1us with them, knowing well that this OIL
hand mode of proceeding renders her still more
seductive and charming in their eyes. One
holds a looking glass before her. another
searches for something she has lost on the car
pet She asks for information OF this gentle
man and for her powder box of that, and orders
them all to close their eyes while she changes
her costume. There is no court, even a court
damour, without a certain degree of discipline.
Theo frequently exhibits great severity for the
slightest infraction of her rules. The deln-
quents-thOse who in despite of their pledses
try to make love to her or to kiss tl1e .ipS OF
her fingers-are Immediately NJ ,isit;.1 WIN IN
suspension of their privib pronortin, ugr,
more or less prolonge@ Those who ranaat .Ie -
gravity of the osftenced to perpetnaI axoiI ~
are liable to be eA0iu-
sion.