Augusta Smithers in account with Meeson & Co.

L s d
To Sale of Right of Translation of 7 0 0
“Jemima’s Vow” into French...... 
Do. do. do. into German 7 0 0
--------
L14 0 0
========
L s d
Less amount due to Messrs. Meeson, being 7 0 0
one-half of net proceeds
Less Commission, &c 3 19 0
----------
L10 19 0
==========
Balance due to Author, as per cheque L3 1 0
herewith. --------

Augusta looked, and then slowly crumpled up the cheque in her hand.

“If I understand, Mr. Meeson,” she said, “you have sold the two rights of translation of my book, which you persuaded me to leave in your hands, for L14; out of which I am to receive L3 1s.?”

“Yes, Miss Smithers.  Will you be so kind as to sign the receipt; the fact is that I have a good deal of business to attend to.”

“No, Mr. Meeson,” suddenly said Augusta, rising to her feet and looking exceedingly handsome and imposing in her anger.  “No; I will not sign the receipt, and I will not take this cheque.  And, what is more, I will not write you any more books.  You have entrapped me.  You have taken advantage of my ignorance and inexperience, and entrapped me so that for five years I shall be nothing but a slave to you, and, although I am now one of the most popular writers in the country, shall be obliged to accept a sum for my books upon which I cannot live.  Do you know that yesterday I was offered a thousand pounds for the copyright of a book like ’Jemima’s Vow’?—­it’s a large sum; but I have the letter.  Yes, and I have the book in manuscript now; and if I could publish it I should be lifted out of poverty, together with my poor little sister!” and she gave a sob.  “But,” she went on, “I cannot publish it, and I will not let you have it and be treated like this; I had rather starve.  I will publish nothing for five years, and I will write to the papers and say why—­because I have been cheated, Mr. Meeson!”

“Cheated!” thundered the great man.  “Be careful, young lady; mind what you are saying.  I have a witness; Eustace, you hear, ‘cheated’!  Eustace, ’cheated’!”

“I hear,” said Eustace, grimly.

“Yes, Mr. Meeson, I said ‘cheated’; and I will repeat it, whether I am locked up for it or not.  Good morning, Mr. Meeson,” and she curtseyed to him, and then suddenly burst into a flood of tears.

In a minute Eustace was by her side.

“Don’t cry, Miss Smithers; for Heaven’s sake don’t I can’t bear to see it,” he said.

She looked up, her beautiful grey eyes full of tears, and tried to smile.

“Thank you,” she said; “I am very silly, but I am so disappointed.  If you only knew—.  There I will go.  Thank you,” and in another instant she had drawn herself up and left the room.