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Chapter 1

           WhatgoesdownwiththemandwiththepublicisabitofsensationalrealismtoldintersenewspaperEnglish.LiteraryEnglish—AddisonianEnglish—isamistake."

           "AndIamalsoamistakeIthink,"Isaidwithaforcedsmile—"Atanyrateifwhatyousaybetrue,Imustlaydownthepenandtryanothertrade.Iamold-fashionedenoughtoconsiderLiteratureasthehighestofallprofessions,andIwouldrathernotjoininwiththosewhovoluntarilydegradeit."

           Hegavemeaquickside-glanceofmingledincredulityanddepreciation.

           "Well,well!"hefinallyobserved—"youarealittlequixotic.Thatwillwearoff.Willyoucomeontomyclubanddinewithme?"

           Irefusedthisinvitationpromptly.Iknewthemansawandrecognisedmywretchedplight—andpride—falseprideifyouwill—roseuptomyrescue.Ibadehimahurriedgood-day,andstartedbacktomylodging,carryingmyrejectedmanuscriptwithme.Arrivedthere,mylandladymetmeasIwasabouttoascendthestairs,andaskedmewhetherIwould‘kindlysettleaccounts’thenextday.Shespokecivillyenough,poorsoul,andnotwithoutacertaincompassionatehesitationinhermanner.Herevidentpityformegalledmyspiritasmuchasthepublisher’sofferofadinnerhadwoundedmypride—andwithaperfectlyaudaciousairofcertaintyIatoncepromisedherthemoneyatthetimesheherselfappointed,thoughIhadnottheleastideawhereorhowIshouldgettherequiredsum.

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