To baffle Macready in his design of presenting the play to the public in a mutilated form, Browning, aided by his publisher, had the whole printed in four-and-twenty hours.[25] A rupture of the long-standing friendship with Macready followed, nor did author and actor meet again until after the great sorrow of Browning's life.

"Mr Macready too"-- writes Mrs Orr--"had recently lost his wife, and Mr Browning could only start forward, grasp the hand of his old friend, and in a voice choked with emotion say, 'O Macready!'" The tragedy was produced at Drury Lane on February nth, 1843, with Phelps, who acted admirably as Tresham, and Helen Faucit as Mildred.
Although it had been ill rehearsed and not a shilling had been spent on scenery or dresses, it was received with applause.

To a call for the author, Browning, seated in his box, declined to make any response.
Thus, not without some soreness of heart, closed his direct connection with the theatre.

He heard with pleasure when in Italy that _A Blot in the 'Scutcheon_ was given by Phelps at Sadler's Wells Theatre in November 1848, and with unquestionable success.

A rendering of _Colombe's Birthday_ was projected by Charles Kean in 1844, but the long delays, which were inevitable, could not be endured by Browning, who desired to print his play forthwith among the _Bells and Pomegranates_.
It was not until nine years later that this play, a veritable "All for love, or the world well lost," was presented at the Haymarket, Helen Faucit appearing as the Duchess.