He felt it in all its force, and was aware that it must cripple, if not entirely defeat, the great scheme of his ambition.
In his letters, written at the time, he speaks of it as "a calamity, the length of which he could not foresee." He indulged, however, in no weak and vain lamentation, but sought to devise a prompt and efficient remedy.

The very same evening he appeared at the theatre with his usual serenity of countenance.

A friend, who knew the disastrous intelligence he had received, expressed his astonishment that he could have calmness of spirit sufficient for such a scene of light amusement.

"What would you have me do ?" was his characteristic reply; "would you have me stay at home and weep for what I cannot help ?".