saster
upon you. I had no idea that anything I could say or do would so
deeply injure you--you the Wondrous One. It was incredible--their
disdain of you. I was a fool, a selfish boaster, to allow you to go
into this thing. The possible loss of money we both discussed, but
that any words of mine could injure you as an artist never came to
me. Believe me, my dearest friend, I am astounded. I am crushed
with the thought, and I dare not show my face among your friends. I
feel like an assassin. I will call to-morrow--I can't do it
to-night. I am bleeding at the heart because I have made you share
the shame and failure which I feel to-night are always to be mine.
I was born to be of the minority. Please don't give another thought
to me or my play. Go your own way. Get back to the plays that
please people. Be happy. You have the right to be happy, and I am a
selfish, unthinking criminal whom you would better forget. Don't
waste another dollar or another moment on my play--it is madness.
I am overwhelmed with my debt to you, but I shall repay it some
day."

IX

Helen was more deeply hurt and humiliated by her playwright's flight
than by the apparent failure of the play, but the two experiences coming
together fairly stunned her. To have the curtain go down on her final
scenes to feeble and hesitating applause was a new and painful
experience. Never since her first public reading had she failed to move
and interest her audience. What had happened? What had so swiftly
weakened her hold on her admirers? Up to that moment she had been sure
that she could make any character successful.

For a few moments she stood in the middle of the stage stifling with a
sense of mortification and defeat, then turned, and without a word or
look to any one went to her dressing-room.

Her maid was deeply sympathetic, and by sudden impulse stooped and
kissed her cheek, saying, "Never mind, Miss Merival, it was beautiful."

This unexpected caress brought the tears to the proud girl's eyes.
"Thank you, Nora. Some of the audience will agree with you, I hope."

"I'm sure of it, miss. Don't be downcast."

Hugh knocked at the door. "Can you come out?"

"Not now, Hugh. In a few moments."

"There are some people here to see you--"

She wanted to say, "I don't want to see them," but she only said,
"Please ask them to wait."

She knew by the tone of her b