 Within a few months the undertaking had failed, and bankruptcy proceedings were brought against him in August 1891.One of the actors who had not been paid, Arthur Playfair, tried to sue Churchill-Jodrell for his loss, claiming that she was Sargent's business partner and, therefore, liable.She told the court that she had lent Sargent the money (£1300), but later paid him an addition £500 to be released from any partnership agreement.