 and Beanstalk land, so elevated that one had to look up at
him with watery eyes, as if one had flung a ball at the meridian sun. Arrived at
famed St. Stephen's, he sent in his compliments to the noble patriot and
accepted an invitation to dinner.
    »And mind you read THE PRINCESS EGERIA,« said Redworth.
    »Again and again, my friend. The book is bought.« Sullivan Smith slapped his
breastpocket.
    »There's a bit of Erin in it.«
    »It sprouts from Erin.«
    »Trumpet it.«
    »Loud as cavalry to the charge!«
    Once with the title stamped on his memory, the zealous Irishman might be
trusted to become an ambulant advertizer. Others, personal friends, adherents,
courtiers of Redworth's, were active. Lady Pennon and Henry Wilmers, in the
upper circle; Whitmonby and Westlake, in the literary; spread the fever for this
new book. The chief interpreter of public opinion caught the way of the wind and
headed the gale.
    Editions of the book did really run like fires in summer furze; and to such
an extent that a simple literary performance grew to be respected in Great
Britain, as representing Money.
 

                                 Chapter XVIII

                                 The Authoress

The effect of a great success upon Diana, at her second literary venture, was
shown in the transparent sedateness of a letter she wrote to Emma Dunstane, as
much as in her immediate and complacent acceptance of the magical change of her
fortunes. She spoke one thing and acted another, but did both with a lofty calm
that deceived the admiring friend who clearly saw the authoress behind her mask,
and feared lest she should be too confidently trusting to the powers of her pen
to support an establishment.
    »If the public were a perfect instrument to strike on, I should be tempted
to take the wonderful success of my PRINCESS at her first appearance for a proof
of natural aptitude in composition, and might think myself the genius. I know it
to be as little a Stradivarius as I am a Paganini. It is an eccentric machine,
in tune with me for the moment, because I happen to have hit it in the ringing
spot. The book is a new face appealing to a mirror of the common surface
emotions; and the kitchen rather than the dairy offers an analogy for the real
value of that top-skim. I have not seen what I consider good in the book once
mentioned among the laudatory notices - except by your dear hand, my Emmy. Be
sure I will stand on guard against the vaporous generalizations, and other
tricks
