"Yes, he is waiting for you." A moment later she re-entered, followed
closely by Westervelt. "Herr Westervelt, let me introduce Mr. George
Douglass, author of _Alessandra_, _Lillian's Duty_, and _Enid's
Choice_."
For an instant Westervelt's face was a confused, lumpy mass of amazement
and resentment; then he capitulated, quick to know on which side his
bread was buttered, and, flinging out a fat hand, he roared:
"Very good joke. Ha! ha! You have fooled me completely. Mr. Douglass, I
congratulate you. You have now given Helen Merival the best part she has
ever had. You found we were right, eh?"
Douglass remained a little stiff. "Yes, for the present we'll say you
are right; but the time is coming--"
Hugh came forward with less of enthusiasm, but his wall of reserve was
melting. "I'm mighty glad to know that you wrote _Alessandra_, Douglass.
It is worthy of Sardou, and it will win back every dollar we've lost in
the other plays."
"That's what I wrote it for," said Douglass, sombrely.
Westervelt had no further scruples--no reservations. "Well, now, as to
terms and date of production. Let's get to business."
Helen interposed. "No more of that for to-day. Mr. Douglass is tired and
needs recreation. Leave business till to-morrow. Come, let us go to
mother; she is anxious to see you--and you are to breakfast with us in
the good old spirit."
It was sweet to sit with them again on the old footing--to be released
from his load of guilty responsibility. To face the shining table, the
dear old mother--and Helen! Something indefinably domestic and tender
came from her hesitating speech and shone in her liquid, beaming eyes.
The room swam in vivid sunshine, and seemed thus to typify the toiler's
escape from poverty and defeat.
"Don't expect me to talk," he said, slowly, strangely. "I'm too dazed,
too happy to think clearly. I can't believe it. I have lived two months
in a horrible nightmare; but now that the business men, the practical
ones, say you are to be saved by me, I must believe it. I would be
perfectly happy if only I had won the success on my own lines without
compromise."
"Put that aside," she commanded, softly. "The fuller success will come.
We have that to work towards."