"Indeed no!" she said quietly and with a slight smile--"Such a state of things would make a very dull world! I assure you I was not and am not in the least offended--the critique was a smart piece of writing, and made not the slightest effect on me or on my book. You remember what Shelley wrote of critics? No? You will find the passage in his preface to 'The Revolt of Islam,' and it runs thus,--'I have sought to write as I believe that Homer, Shakespeare, and Milton wrote, with an utter disregard of anonymous censure. I am certain that calumny and misrepresentation, though it may move me to compassion cannot disturb my peace. I shall understand the expressive silence of those sagacious enemies who dare not trust themselves to speak. I shall endeavour to extract from the midst of insult and contempt and maledictions, those admonitions which may tend to correct whatever imperfections such censurers may discern in my appeal to the Public. If certain Critics were as clear-sighted as they are malignant, how great would be the benefit to be derived from their virulent writings! As it is, I fear I shall be malicious enough to be amused with their paltry tricks and lame invectives. Should the public judge that my composition is worthless, I shall indeed bow before the tribunal from which Milton received his crown of immortality, and shall seek to gather, if I live, strength from that defeat, which may nerve me to some new enterprise of thought which may _not_ be worthless!'" As she gave the quotation, her eyes darkened and deepened,--her face was lighted up as by some inward illumination,--and I discovered the rich sweetness of the voice which made the name of 'Mavis' suit her so well. "You see I know my Shelley!" she said with a little laugh at her own emotion--"And those words are particularly familiar to me, because I have had them painted up on a panel in my study. Just to remind me, in case I should forget, what the really great geniuses of the world thought of criticism,--because their example is very encouraging and helpful to a humble little worker like myself. I am not a press-favourite--and I never get good reviews,--but--" and she laughed again--"I like my reviewers all the same! If you have finished your tea, will you come and see them?" Come and see them! What did she mean? She seemed delighted at my visible surprise, and her cheeks dimpled with merriment. "Come and see them!" she repeated--"They generally expect me at this hour!"