Divine Sarah

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I would rather go to the theater and feast my eyes on the scenery, in which I find my dearest dreams artistically expressed and tragically concentrated.

These things, because they are false, are infinitely closer to the truth.

CHARLES BAUDELAIRE

PROLOGUE

December 4, 1880

American Debut, Performance No. 27

Booth Theater, New York City

SHE has paced the boards for nearly three hours. Twirling and jumping and falling. She hasn’t even noticed her dresses weighted down by Lepaul’s embroidered pearls and roses. She has been Marguerite Gautier in La Dame aux Camélias for five acts, portraying a moment-by-moment life in tragic pursuit of Armand Duval.

Feet gliding effortlessly.

Wincing and smiling while changing partners.

Moving in delight along the freedom of the stage.

Absorbing the lines of the script.

Smelling the Parisian air.

Ingesting the calm of Bougival.

Clutching the bitter eyes of those who betray her.

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