By-the-way," he added, waking up a little, "you remember what
the old boy told you when he was dying? I think that starving authors who
have published with Meeson's ought to have the first right of election."
"I think so, too," said Augusta, and she went to the buhl writing-table
to work out that scheme on paper which, as the public is aware, is now
about to prove such a boon to the world of scribblers.
"I say, Gussie!" suddenly said her husband. "I've just had a dream!"
"Well!" she said sharply, for she was busy with her scheme; "what is it?"
"I dreamt that James Short was a Q.C., and making twenty thousand a year,
and that he had married Lady Holmhurst."
"I should not wonder if that came true," answered Augusta, biting the top
of her pen.
Then came another pause.
"Gussie," said Eustace, sleepily, "are you quite happy?"
"Yes, of course I am, that is, I should be if it wasn't for those footmen
and the silver water-jugs."
"I wonder at that," said her husband.
"Why?"
"Because"--(yawn)--"of that will upon your neck"--(yawn). "I should not
have believed that a woman could be quite happy"--(yawn)--"who
could--never go to Court."
And he went to sleep again; while, disdaining reply, Augusta worked on.
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