HELEN. Won't you lead me into your world, then?
GERARDO. Helen, will you compromise the happiness of your life and the happiness of your dear ones for just a few days' pleasure?
GERARDO [_much relieved_]. Will you promise me to go home quietly now?
GERARDO. And will you promise me that you will not die....
GERARDO. And you promise me to fulfill your duties as mother and--as wife?
HELEN. Yes. What else do you want? I will promise anything.
HELEN. Yes, yes, yes. [_They kiss passionately._]
GERARDO. In a year I am booked again to sing here, Helen.
[_Helen presses his hand, takes a revolver out of her muff, shoots herself and falls._]
GERARDO. Helen! [_He totters and collapses in an armchair._]
BELL BOY [_rushing in_]. My God! Mr. Gerardo! [_Gerardo remains motionless; the Bell Boy rushes toward Helen._]
GERARDO [_jumping up, running to the door and colliding with the manager of the hotel_]. Send for the police! I must be arrested! If I went away now I should be a brute, and if I stay I break my contract. I still have [_looking at his watch_] one minute and ten seconds.
MANAGER. Be quick about it. [_To Gerardo._] Don't take it too hard, sir. Those things happen once in a while.
GERARDO [_kneeling before Helen's body and taking her hand_]. Helen!... She still lives--she still lives! If I am arrested I am not wilfully breaking my contract.... And my trunks? Is the carriage at the door?
MANAGER. It has been waiting twenty minutes, Mr. Gerardo. [_He opens the door for the porter, who takes down one of the trunks._]
GERARDO [_bending over her_]. Helen! [_To himself._] Well, after all.... [_To Muller._] Have you called a doctor?
MANAGER. Yes, we had the doctor called at once. He will be here at any minute.
GERARDO [_holding her under the arms_]. Helen! Don't you know me any more? Helen! The doctor will be here right away, Helen. This is your Oscar.
BELL BOY [_appearing in the door at the center_]. Can't find any policeman, sir.
GERARDO [_letting Helen's body drop back_]. Well, if I can't get arrested, that settles it. I must catch that train and sing in Brussels to-morrow night. [_He takes up his score and runs out through the center door, bumping against several chairs._]
JAMES BRETT [_a Clerk in the War Office_, 33]. GERALD O'MARA [_a Civil Engineer_, 24]. ROSAMUND FIFE [_a Spinster and a Lecturer on Cookery_, 28].