Although I was expected to beat Miss Thomson, and actually did win the match, I scarcely deserved my triumph.  Miss Thomson played by far the better tennis, and it was really very hard luck on her that she did not succeed.  At one time she was a set up and four games to one, and I was forced to play on the defensive nearly the whole time.  Miss Thomson played beautifully, placing with great accuracy down the lines and across the court.  Indeed, her placing was so good that I always seemed to be yards away from her return, when I had thought there was plenty of time to get to the ball.  It has always been a marvel to me how I won that match; but I think it was chiefly condition—­Miss Thomson was never a very good stayer.

[Illustration:  SOME OF THE FRUITS OF VICTORY. In the centre is the All England Championship, won by Mrs. Lambert Chambers in 1903, 1904, 1906]

By the way, Miss Thomson and I were introduced to each other at the Gipsy Tournament—­my first tournament.  I had no partner for the Ladies’ Doubles Handicap, and the secretary put us together on the programme.  Little did I dream then that we should one day fight out the final of the Championship on the centre court at Wimbledon, or as a pair twice win the All England Doubles Championship.  Classification for 1903: 

Miss D.K.  Douglass      Scratch
Miss L. Martin          Scratch
Miss E.W.  Thomson       1/6
Miss Lowther            1/6
Miss C M. Wilson        2/6
Miss Greene             3/6
Miss Morton             3/6
Miss Longhurst          3/6
Miss Bromfield          4/6
Miss H. Lane            4/6
Mrs. Greville           4/6
Miss Kendal             5/6
Mrs. Houselander        5/6
Miss Stawell-Brown      5/6

In 1904 I again won the championship, beating Mrs. Sterry in the challenge round.  This year and 1906 were my most successful years.  I was fortunate enough in both to go through the season without a reverse in open singles.  Classification for 1904 was as follows: 

  Miss D.K.  Douglass Scratch

Mrs. Sterry             1/6
Mrs. Hillyard           1/6
Miss C.M.  Wilson        1/6

Miss Thomson            2/6
Miss Morton             2/6

Miss W. Longhurst       3/6
Miss V. Pinckney        3/6
Miss Greene             3/6
Miss Lane               3/6
Mrs. Greville           4/6
Miss Stawell Brown      4/6
Mrs. Winch              4/6
Miss Garfit             5/6
Miss Kendal             5/6
Miss D. Boothby         5/6
Miss M. Coles           5/6
Miss A. Ransome         5/6
Miss E. Longhurst       15
Miss Squire             15
Miss Eastlake Smith     15
Miss Paterson           15
Miss Tootell            15

In 1905 I paid my first visit to the South of France.  I was unlucky enough to sprain my wrist; but in spite of this mishap, the change of conditions, courts, and surroundings were all so novel that I thoroughly enjoyed my visit.  The courts at the Beau Site, Cannes, are absolutely perfect, both as regards surface