“At any rate, there ought to be something to come to me from the rights of translation—I saw in the paper that the book was to be translated into French and German,” said Augusta, faintly. “Oh! yes, no doubt—Eustace, oblige me by touching the bell.” The young gentleman did so, and a tall, melancholy-looking clerk appeared. “No. 18,” snarled Mr. Meeson, in the tone of peculiar amiability that he reserved for his employés, “make out the translation account of ‘Jemima’s Vow,’ and fill up a cheque of balance due to the author.” No. 18 vanished like a thin, unhappy ghost, and Mr. Meeson once more addressed the girl before him. “If you want money, Miss Smithers,” he said, “you had better write us another book. I am not going to deny that your work is good work—a little too deep, and not quite orthodox enough, perhaps; but still good. I tested it myself, when it came to hand—which is a thing I don’t often do—and saw it was good selling quality, and you see I didn’t make a mistake. I believe ‘Jemima’s Vow’ will sell twenty thousand without stopping—here’s the account.” As he spoke the spectre-like clerk put down a neatly-ruled bit of paper and an unsigned cheque on the desk before his employer, and then smiled a shadowy smile and vanished. Mr. Meeson glanced through the account, signed the cheque, and handed it, together with the account to Augusta, who proceeded to read it. It ran thus:— AUGUSTA SMITHERS _in account with_ MEESON & Co. £ 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 ———— £14 0 0 ======== £ s d Less amount due to Messrs. Meeson, being 7 0 0 one-half of net proceeds Less Commission, &c 3 19 0 ————— £10 19 0 ========== Balance due to Author, as per cheque £ 3 1 0 herewith. ———— Augusta looked, and then slowly crumpled up the cheque in her hand.