The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-01-27
Fifteen Minutes With Bernhardt
BY CELIA MYROVER ROBINSON.

The train had just pulled into the
station and about the car of Madam
Bernhardt crowd had gathered. A
curious, gaping, interested and most
enthusiastic crowd, who eagerly cram,
ed their necks for glimpse of the
great French tragedienne, whose dim
outlines, almost hidden by masses Of
flowers, could be family discerned.
Near the window tiny squirrel in
a cage went his ceaselessly busy
way, while the bystanders commented
and wondered, and crowded about the
porter, who had been placed at the
car steps to see that they kept their
distance.
HaNtbg sent in my card, presently
madam's interpreter came out and /
was ushered into the presence of
royalty.
AS l entered the beautifully fitted
car and came face to face with the
most wonderful woman of the TWEEN
tieth century it was easy for me to
understand the homage that has been
paid this woman, who has stirred mil
lions of people in many lands with her
genius. Seated in a great arm chair.
she wore rich gown which suggest
ed the Orient in its colors and lines.
and the impression she gave me was
that of marvellous beauty. Where
had expected to find woman shat
tered, old and worn, had come upon
an exotic flower, poisoning in all tho
radiance of youth that is undying.
Many times, in pictures had seen
of Bernhard, I had wondered that
one with so little claim to pulchritude
could sway the hearts of men and
women as she has swayed them. But
in her presence, when met that slow
smile, that quick and melting glance,
and saw TIE life and grace of that
sinuous figure, I knew that there is
something in the spirit of the woman,
something born of her great genius
| that takes the place of simperirg
prettiness, and makes for itself a
shrine of beauty.
Nothing could exceed the grace nor
the graciousness of Bernhardt in the
greeting she gave. Extending that
wonderful small hand that she uses
with so much effectiveness, and mo-
! tioning me to a chair, she gave me
one of the most charming experiences
that / have ever known. As I talked,
on the chair nearby, her dog, who
bears the American name of Buster, y
leaned in friendly fashion on my
shoulder, as though he wished to take
part in the tri-cornored conversation.
For madam speaks little English,
and l no French, and so, though she
could understand me perfectly, pucn
that she said to me was perforce in
terpreted.
/ had meant to be most original
To ask her questions chat no one else
had ever thought of, to suggest lines
of conversation that would be truly
! unique. But in that presence, ting
ling with the sense of nearness u
one whose life has been long series
of triumphs, / gave voice to plati-
tude, and asked to know madamT
favorite role-and brought at laugh
for my pains. The laugh of mos
amused quartette, for by that tins
madam, her interpreter, Miss Orms
by, and myself had been joined b!
her manager, Mr.. Hope. and her ply
stefan DIR. Morat. Evidently all in
reviewers are prone to ask madam
the same original question.
Chilly named over the roles tina
madam had made famous Cleopatra
Camille, Hecuba, Jeanne D'Arc, an
wildly searched my mind for others
the whites Buster kissed me on tn
cheek, and patted my hand with hi
great paw.
No, madam would not say whic
role she preferred. This would b
most impolitic, inasmuch as she ha
appeared in many plays, the author
of which might each be under the i'm
preston that his play is superior t
all others.
AS madam talked, and Miss Orrns
: by interpreted, understood the spir
: that animates France today as neve
4 before had l understood it. Recent
}. | had the pleasure of reading an art
Gle written by Bernhard herself.