Now, when he was least expecting it, there came to him the first gleam of encouragement that he had had since he received his last review. Messrs. Kynaston wrote, offering to undertake the publication of _The Eye of the Beholder_, if he were willing to accept forty pounds for the copyright. He did not hesitate even for an instant; he said "Thank God!" as devoutly as if he had never expected more for it. Turquand had just come in. "It's a wicked price," grunted Turquand; "but I suppose you'll take it if you can't get them to spring?" "Take it! I could take them to my heart for it! Oh, thank God! I mean it. Yes, it's beggarly, it's awful; but, at any rate, the book 'll see the light. Price? It isn't a price at all, but the thing 'll be published. There's quite enough money for us to live while I'm writing my next, and this will send me to it with double energy. I shall go to Kynaston's to-morrow morning." He did go, and, though he was less enthusiastic there, his attempt to induce the publisher to increase the terms was but weak. Seven rejections had made a high hand unattainable. "I got a hundred for my first," he said, "and you offer me forty for my second. It isn't scaling the ladder with rapidity." "The other was longer, perhaps," suggested Mr. Kynaston, tapping his fingers together pensively--"three volumes?" "Don't you reckon that this will make three volumes, then?" said Kent. "Two. It's unfortunately short; that's the only fault I have to find with it. I like it--it's out of the common; but there isn't enough of it." He sighed. "I am sorry that 'forty' is the most I can say. I considered the subject very deeply before I wrote you--very deeply indeed." His expression implied that he had lain awake all night considering, and that regret at being unable to offer more might even keep him awake again to-night. He did not disguise his opinion of the novel, however, especially after the matter was settled. "Send us something else, Mr. Kent," he said warmly, as he saw the author downstairs and pressed his hand--"something a trifle longer--and we shall be able to do better for you. Yours is a very rare style; you have remarkable power, if I may say so. If fine work always meant a fine sale, _The Eye of the Beholder_ should see six editions. I shall get it out at once. Good-day to you: and don't forget--make your next book a little longer!"