ou are
ill!"

"No, I am not ill--only tired. I have had only one thought, one aim
since I saw you last, that was to write something to restore you to your
old place----"

"I do not want to be restored. Now listen, Lord Douglass. If I do
_Alessandra_, it is because we both need the money and the prestige; but
I do not despair, and you must not. Please let me manage this whole
affair; will you?"

"I am your slave."

"Don't say such things. I don't want you to be humble. I want you to be
as brave, as proud as before."

She said this in such a tone that he rose to it. His face reset in lines
of resolution. "I will not be humble with any other human being but you.
I worship you."

She stood for a moment looking at him fixedly, a smile of pride and
tender dream on her lips, then said, "You must not say such things to
me--not now." The bell rang. "Here comes your new-found admirers," she
exclaimed, gleefully. "Now, you sit here, a little in the shadow, and I
will bring them in."

Douglass heard Hugh ask, eagerly, "Is he here?"

"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