old books to read--mostly of the sixteenth century--I suppose I
formed a 'style' unconsciously on these."

"It is a very beautiful and expressive style," said the publisher
--"I told Mr. Harrington, when he first suggested that you might be
the author, that it was altogether too scholarly for a girl."

She gave a slight deprecatory gesture.

"Pray do not let us discuss it," she said--"I am not at all
pleased to be known as the author."

"No?" And he looked surprised--"Surely you must be happy to become
so suddenly famous?"

"Are famous persons happy?" she asked--"I don't think they are! To
be stared at and whispered about and criticised--that's not
happiness! And men never like you!"

The publisher laughed.

"You can do without their liking, Miss Armitage," he said--"You've
beaten all the literary fellows on their own ground! You ought to
be satisfied. WE are very proud!"

"Thank you!" she said, simply, as she rose to go--"I am grateful
for your good opinion."

When she had left him, the publisher eagerly turned over the pages
of her new manuscript. At a glance he saw that there was no