Читать книгу Oscar Wilde: A Life in Letters - Оскар Уайльд, Merlin Holland, F. H. Cornish - Страница 84

[Circa 25 July 1883] 9 Charles Street, Grosvenor Square

Dear Mr Blunt, I am quite suddenly telegraphed for to go to America as they do not like beginning the rehearsals of my play without my being there and I find myself obliged to deprive myself of the pleasure of a day of steeds and sonnets with you, as I have to go to Liverpool early on Monday morning. I will not cease to regret the chance that has prevented my coming to you, and I beg you to offer to Lady Anne my most sincere apologies.

If when I return in September you are still in the country perhaps you will allow me to come and spend an afternoon with you. Believe me truly yours

OSCAR WILDE

Vera opened in New York on 21 August. It played to small houses, was slated by the critics and taken off after only a week. The New York Herald described it as ‘long-drawn dramatic rot’ and Wilde did not risk the stage again for eight years. He stayed on in America for a month, and on his return to England realised that lecturing was his only immediate source of income. According to his American manager Col. Morse, who was now in London, he arranged 150 lectures for Wilde for the 1883–4 season, as many as he had given in the States but without the frenetic pace and the long-distance travelling. Wilde also expanded his repertoire to include ‘The Value of Art in Modem Life’ and ‘Dress’. His schedule in November took him to Dublin where he renewed a close friendship with Constance Lloyd who was there visiting relations. Constance, whom he had first met in 1881, was the daughter of an eminent London QC who had died when she was sixteen. She had been attracted to Oscar from the moment they met and the feeling was mutual. This time it went further; within four days of meeting again they were engaged.