"He was very nice and respectful. He offered to speak to Mr. Weldon, the manager, and get me a new part—perhaps the leading part—in his new production."
"So that's his little game, is it?" said Clayton, still more annoyed. "Money and jewels returned, his next bribe is an engagement. How do you know you could play the part?"
"I might succeed," pouted Martha. "And even a star who tries and fails, can never forget that she did star—once."
"And so your success means more to you than anything else that life can offer?"
Martha's eyes were still fired by the light of her ambition. "Yes," she said.
"If you please, Miss," interrupted Lizzie, entering at that moment, "Mr. Gordon is outside in his car, and wants to know if you will be ready soon."
"Tell him—" began Martha. Then she hesitated, looking doubtfully at Clayton, who came close to her as though awaiting her decision on a momentous matter.
"Martha," he asked, "are you still determined to keep this dinner engagement with Gordon?"
"Why not?" Martha seemed to take a keen delight in arousing his displeasure. "There's no harm in it, and Mr. Gordon has been very kind to me."
"As he has been to the others—before you," said Clayton, bitterly, almost savagely.