Everything is badly off out of its own element, you know.

The water will not do for birds, nor the air for fishes.

I am an actress by nature, and the atmosphere of the theatre is my native air; in it alone do I breathe freely; even its unpleasant odours are sweet to my nostrils.

Real, everyday life seems very dull and flat.

I must have imaginary love affairs to manage for other people, and take part in the whirl of romantic adventures to be found only on the stage, to keep me alive and happy.