The sacred flame was his.

There are those who have asked, what was the cause of so cruel an end?
Let us not seek for that cause.

Chevalier died of his art; he died of dramatic fever.

He died consumed by the flame which is slowly consuming all of us.

Alas, the stage, of which the public sees only the smiles, and the tears, as sweet as the smiles, is a jealous master which demands of its servants an absolute devotion and the most painful sacrifices, and, at times, claims its victims.