"Rejected! and that not for the first time. Another year and a
half's work flung away--simply flung away, and I am no nearer
recognition than ever. Incredible it seems that they won't accept
that."

I stopped under the gasalier and glanced again through the letter I
had just received.

"DEAR SIR,--With reference to your last MS., we regret to say we
cannot undertake its publication, owing to the open way in which you
express your unusual religious views and your contempt for existing
institutions.

"At the same time, our reader expresses his admiration for your
style, and his regret that your unmistakably brilliant genius should
be directed towards unsatisfactory subjects.--We are," etc., etc.

The blood flowed hotly over my face, and my teeth closed hard upon
my lip.

Always the same thing! rejection from every quarter.

The last clause in the letter, which might have brought some
momentary gratification to a man less certain, less absolutely sure
of his own powers than I was, could bring none to me.

It only served to make sharper the edge of my keen disappointment.
Brilliant genius! I read the words with the shadow of a satirical
smile.