away her card, and came back almost immediately to escort her to
the editor's room, where he pointed to a chair, and remarked
encouragingly that Mr Hammond would be disengaged in a few minutes'
time.

Theo threw a glance at her reflection in a dusty mirror, and seated
herself with much the same tremulous sinking of heart as that with which
she was accustomed to settle herself in the dentist's chair. On the
desk before her lay a litter of papers and proofs; her eye fell absently
on the slip nearest to herself, and lightened into eager interest. Here
was a treat indeed, for what she saw was the next month's instalment of
a powerful serial as to the termination of which the sisters had
frequently and hotly debated. A sentence here, a sentence there, gave
the needed clues, and she smiled with mischievous delight at the
advantage she had gained. That evening she would lead the conversation
to the Count and his lady, and would give graphic prophecies of the next
stage in their adventures. Even the conversations she would foretell,
so that when the new number arrived her character of wizard would be
fully established. The interesting prospect dispelled her nervousness,
and she was smiling to herself in bright, natural fashion when the door
opened and Mr Hammond appeared.

The editor was short and dark, middle-aged, and carelessly dressed; an
undignified little figure, on whom the literary aspirant looked with
instant lightening of heart. "I'm not afraid of _him_," she told
herself; but the thought was no sooner formed than revoked; for Mr
Hammond spoke, and at the first sound of his voice he became aloof,
formidable--a personage! He greeted the girl kindly enough, but Theo
felt strangely humbled as she faced him, and realised with painful
clearness that she was a girl, a tyro, and that this man was accustomed
to associate with the master-minds of his day. Her complacency about
the "worrying" story fell from her like a cloak, and she awaited his
verdict with sickening suspense.

"It is kind of you to see me; I know you are very busy. I sent you a
MS, as you asked for one. I suppose you--received it?"

"Yes." Mr Hammond's face gave no clue as to his opinion of the
masterpiece in question. "I am pleased to see you, and to give you any
help in my power. As I said in my note, I had a great admiration for
your father. And so you have determined to settle in town and enter the
great arena?"

"Yes. We are very p