The moment he gave utterance to the first words his embarrassment left him and he was quite at ease. He made a fine appearance and impressed the audience favorably.
Frank went through the scene splendidly, for it was the one he had rehearsed most, barring the duel scene. He had the air and bearing of a professional actor, and no one in the audience could have imagined him a novice.
As Dunton was not on the stage at the time, he had a chance to stand in the first entrance at the left and watch everything. His heart was swelling with rage, and he did his best to attract Merriwell’s attention, hoping to break Frank up by a sneering look.
But Frank gave strict attention to the people on the stage, and neither glanced toward the wings nor the audience. In fact, when he left the stage he had not seen a single person besides those with whom he had had business before the footlights.
His exit was effective, and there was a ripple of applause as he delivered the final speech of the scene and retired from the stage.
Dunton was chewing his tongue viciously, and swearing beneath his breath.
“Oh, the fellow shall have a tumble before the piece is over!” the stage villain muttered. “I’ll see to it that his light is dimmed. He shall not triumph to-night.”
Havener received Frank as he came off.
“You did first rate that time, Merriwell,” he said, encouragingly. “If you can keep that up, you will make a hit, but you know the hardest is to come.”
“I know,” came quietly from Frank’s lips.