MADAME BERNHARDT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3341, 17 December 1883, Page 2

MADAME BERNHARDT.

Madame Sarah Bernhardt’s unfortunate marriage, says the “ Times ” Paris correspondent, is again exciting the curiosity of the scandal-loving Parisians. Two journals of second-rate reputation a few days ago dragged the subject out of oblivion on the plea of defending Madame Bernhardt’s husband, M. Datnala. The defence of this gentleman, who has just accepted an engagement at she Gymnase Theatre, was coupled with some not very complimentary remarks on the great actress and her son. M. Maurice Bernhardt, a young man scarcely out of his teens, but precocious enough to be the lessee of a theatre, sent his seconds to the editors of the offending papers. Both declined to do battle with so young a man, but the result has been the publication of several enigmatical letters, which were never intended for publication, and an interview, in which Madame Bernhardt, according to the interviewer’s narrative, said ;—“ We parted because I would not continue to bear outrageous expenses, to pay for carriages, bouquets, penalties for broken engagements, etc. My equipment was not grand enough, and ray carriage did not suffice. We had violent altercations, and one day, after one of these scenes, I rushed out of the house without hat or gloves, telling him he could take everything, for as he would not go away I would, and should not return so long as he remained there. I wandered about the whole day, and at nightfall sought refuge at my aunts. It was after this that he entered into an engagement at the Gymnase, where I had immediately afterwards to pay the penalty for his breach of contract in order to enlist in Tunis. He completely equipped himself for starting, and I paid for the poor voluntary recruit. Only the poor voluntary recruit never served. That is not all. M. Damala wished to be lessee of a theatre. I have had to bear the consequences of this, too, M. is inquiring whether I am really married or not. Be that as it may, I have paid for the freak royally, and, married or not married, on ne m,y rcjrrenda plus.