In 1896, he married Dorothea Baird, who, after playing the part of "Trilby" the year before, was, at that time, the best known actress in Britain. HB and Dorothea had a son Laurence, who became a well known Hollywood art director, and a daughter Elizabeth. HB continued to be part of his father's company, but soon felt the need to branch out. In 1898, he joined George Alexander at the St James's Theatre where he played "Don John" in "Much Ado About Nothing", and appeared in the surprising hit, "The Ambassador", a play written by Pearl Mary Teresa Craigie.