could not put them on the hall table, for the maid to take out to the pillar-box, lest their number should dangerously excite the curiosity of his household, and he was obliged to carry them out to the post himself. This he did, generally, late at night, sneaking forth in his pumps what time the Vicarage was sunk in slumber; or he would smuggle them out by day in his silk hat, ten at a time, when he went upon his affairs parochial or archidiaconal.
Thus, happily pondering and gumming in his press-notices, reading and answering his correspondence, he passed his leisure hours during the first month or six weeks subsequent to the publication of "Edgar and Lilian."
It had been agreed (you may remember) that not until the book had enjoyed a sale of three months should the name of its true author be divulged, but ere half that
