_To Edmund Gosse._
The "ordeal" was the first night of _The American_, produced by
Edward Compton and his company at Southport in anticipation of its
eventual appearance in London.
Prince of Wales Hotel,
Southport.
Jan. 3rd [1891].
My dear Gosse,
I am touched by your _petit mot_. De gros mots seem to me to be so much
more applicable to my fallen state. The only thing that can be said for
it is that it is not so low as it may perhaps be to-morrow--after the
vulgar ordeal of to-night. Let me therefore profit by the few remaining
hours of a recognizable _status_ to pretend to an affectionate
reciprocity. I am yours and your wife's while yet I _may_ be. After 11
o'clock to-night I _may_ be the world's--you know--and I may be the
undertaker's. I count upon you both to spend this evening in fasting,
silence and supplication. I will send you a word in the morning--wire
you if I can--if there is anything at all to boast of. My hopes rest
solely on intrinsic charms--the adventitious graces of art are not "in
it." I am so nervous that I miswrite and misspell. Pity your infatuated
but not presumptuous friend,