Pearl Craigie had a man's intellect--a woman's wit and apprehension.
"Bright," as the Americans say, she always managed to be even in the
dullest company, and she knew how to be silent at times, to give the
"other fellow" a chance. Her _executive_ ability was extraordinary.
Wonderfully tolerant, she could at the same time not easily forgive any
meanness or injustice that seemed to her deliberate. Hers was a splendid
spirit.
I shall always bless that little play of hers which first brought me
near to so fine a creature. I rather think that I never met any one who
_gave out_ so much as she did. To me, at least, she _gave, gave_ all the
time. I hope she was not exhausted after our long "confabs." _I_ was
most certainly refreshed and replenished.
The first performance of "Journeys End in Lovers' Meeting" she watched
from a private box with the Princess of Wales (our present Queen) and
Henry Irving. She came round afterwards just _burning_ with enthusiasm
and praising me for work which was really not good. She spoiled one for
other women.
Her best play was, I think, "The Ambassador," in which Violet Vanbrugh
(now Mrs. Bourchier) played a pathetic part very beautifully, and made a
great advance in her profession.
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