Nevertheless, she could not resist the wish to enjoy yet a little more, so out came the letter again, and in spite of misgivings as to prodigality the whole was devoured.

The letter was finally reperused and placed in her pocket.
What was this?
Also a newspaper for Elfride, which she had overlooked in her hurry to open the letter.

It was the old number of the PRESENT, containing the article upon her book, forwarded as had been requested.
Elfride had hastily read it through, shrunk perceptibly smaller, and had then gone with the paper in her hand to Mrs.Swancourt's dressing-room, to lighten or at least modify her vexation by a discriminating estimate from her stepmother.
She was now looking disconsolately out of the window.
'Never mind, my child,' said Mrs.Swancourt after a careful perusal of the matter indicated.

'I don't see that the review is such a terrible one, after all.

Besides, everybody has forgotten about it by this time.
I'm sure the opening is good enough for any book ever written.