f success a few moments ago.

HELENE. I see--more of Lassalle.

FRAU HOLTHOFF. Oh, you two were just made for each other!

DOCTOR HAENLE. You both have the fire, the dash, the enthusiasm, the
personality, the beautiful unreasonableness, the----

HELENE. Go on!

KARL MARX. He is the greatest orator in Europe!

FRAU HOLTHOFF. And the handsomest man!

HELENE. Nonsense!

DOCTOR HAENLE. You shall see!

HELENE. Shall I?

DOCTOR HAENLE. You certainly shall. Indeed, Lassalle may be here this
evening. He spoke in Dresden last night, and was to leave at once, after
the address. His train was due--let me see--[_consults watch_] half an
hour ago. I told him if he came to drive straight here.

HELENE. [_Slightly agitated_] I must go--I promised papa I would be home
at ten.

KARL MARX. And your papa would never allow you to stay out after ten,
any more than he would forgive you if he knew you visited with people
who harbored Ferdinand Lassalle?

HELENE. My father is a busy man--a Monarchist of course--and he has no
time for the New Thought.

DOCTOR HAENLE. He leaves that to you?

HELENE. Yes, he indulges me--he says the New Thought does him no harm
and amuses me! See if my carriage is waiting, please. Thank you----

[Frau Holthoff starts to help Helene on with her wraps. Knocking is
heard at the door. Herr Holthoff goes into the hall to answer
knock.]

HERR HOLTHOFF. [_Outside_] Well, well, Ferdinand the First, Ferdinand
himself!

[Commotion--all move toward door]

_Enter HERR HOLTHOFF with LASSALLE_

[Lassalle is tall, slender, nervous, active, intelligent,
commanding. All shake hands, and he and Karl Marx embrace and kiss
each other on the cheek. Helene stares, slips down behind the sofa,
and seated on an ottoman reads intently with her nose in a book.
The rest talk and move toward the center of the stage, gathering
around Lassalle, who affectionately half-embraces all--with remarks
from everybody: "How well you look!" "And the news from Dresden!"
"Did the police molest you?" "Was it a big audience?" etc. Lassalle
seats himself on sofa with back to Helene, who is immediately
behind him.]

LASSALLE. We will win when fifty-one per cent of the voters declare
themselves. You see Nature never intended that ninety per cent of the
people should slave for the other ten per cent. The world must see that
we all should work--that to succeed we