"It will when you say the word, provided it suits me also."
"What do you mean?" Martha's voice expressed curiosity only.
"The time is short, so I will speak plainly," said Gordon, tensely. "I have purposely waited until the last moment so you could see both sides of the picture. On the one hand, here are you, Martha Farnum, about to make your actual appearance as a star at a Broadway theater. In six months or less you have been transformed from a simple country girl to a position often denied those who struggle for many years. Who do you think has accomplished all this for you? Who is making you a star to-night?"
"Why—why, Mr. Weldon, of course," replied Martha, slightly bewildered. "Who else?"
Gordon laughed with just the suggestion of a sneer.
"I am," he said coldly.
"You? Impossible!" Martha rose in amazement.
"For three months I have made it possible for you to have everything a woman can want," continued Gordon, calmly, coming to her. "To-night the climax is reached when you make your appearance as a star—if you appear. While you have thought your natural talents were receiving just recognition, I have been paying the bills."
"And if what you say is true—all true—what then?" Martha gazed at him blankly, as though dazed.
"This. What I have done, I have done because of my admiration for you. Up to this moment I have asked nothing in return, but now I do."