ave given us. I should be sorry if you took your
stories to anyone else. Would it be possible to make an arrangement for
us to receive all your contributions, say, for twelve months?"

"I assure you," here interrupted Franks, "that this is so unusual an
offer that you would be very silly indeed, Miss Aylmer, to reject it."

Florence gazed from one to the other in growing alarm.

"What I mean is this," said Anderson, noticing her perturbation and
pitying her supposed innocence. "When your story appears it will attract
the attention of the critics. It will receive, beyond doubt, some very
favourable comments, and other editors, who equally with myself are
looking out for what is fresh and novel, will write to you and ask you
to work for them. I do not wish in any way to injure your future
prospects; but I think you would do better for yourself, and eventually
increase the value of your contributions, by giving us your work during
the first year. When can we find room for this first story of Miss
Aylmer's, Franks?"

Franks thought for a moment.

"There is no reason why it should not appear in November," he said. "We
could dispense with illustrations--at least one illustration will be
quite sufficient."

"Very well; it shall appear then. You will soon receive proofs, Miss
Aylmer; and can you let me have another small story of about the same
length in a month from now? If your first story is liked we can find
room for another in December. You will think over my proposal. I do not
want you to hurry nor to appear to coerce you in any way, but we shall
be proud to be the publishers who introduced you to, I hope, a very
large audience."

Mr. Anderson here got up, and Florence, seeing that the interview was at
an end, bowed and went away. Franks accompanied her downstairs.

"You will, of course, accept Mr. Anderson's offer?" he said.

"Of course I shall," replied Florence; "why should I not? But you are
both under a mistake with regard to me. I do not suppose any other
editors will want my contributions; but if you wish for them you can
certainly have them."

She returned home, avoided Edith Franks, and stayed for the remainder of
that day in her own attic.

"Soon my pecuniary difficulties will be at an end," she said to herself.
"I have not the slightest doubt that I can get some more stories into
the _Argonaut_ this year. I shall soon get over my remorse; my
conscience will soon cease to prick me. If I receive twel