such sentiments one never accomplishes anything great.

Besides, I have the capital defect for a man of the theater of never
being able to beat it into my head that the public will be interested in
the marriage of Arthur and Colombe; and nevertheless that is the key to
the whole situation. You simply must suppose the public a trifle
naïf,--and be so yourself.

I should be so willingly, but I can't bring myself to admit that others
are.

For a long time I imagined that the details, if they were ingenious,
would please the public as much as an intrigue of which the ultimate
result is usually given in the first scene. I was absolutely wrong, and
I have suffered for it more than once. But at my age one doesn't reform.
When I have drawn up the plan, I no longer want to write the piece. You
see that I am a detestable collaborator. Say so, if you speak to me, but
don't hold me up as a model.

Edmond Gondinet.

* * * * *




VI.

FROM Eugène Labiche.