At length these two books were published anonymously by Mr.
Egerton, and though they did not make a sensation, they gradually attracted attention and obtained admirers.

No one could be more surprised than the authoress, when she received no less than L150 from the profits of her first published work--"Sense and Sensibility." When Miss Austen had finished "Emma," she put herself in communication with Mr.Murray, who read her "Pride and Prejudice," and sent it to Gifford.

Gifford replied as follows: _Mr.Gifford to John Murray_.
"I have for the first time looked into 'Pride and Prejudice'; and it is really a very pretty thing.

No dark passages; no secret chambers; no wind-howlings in long galleries; no drops of blood upon a rusty dagger--things that should now be left to ladies' maids and sentimental washerwomen." In a later letter he said: _September_ 29, 1815.
"I have read 'Pride and Prejudice' _again_--'tis very good--wretchedly printed, and so pointed as to be almost unintelligible.

Make no apology for sending me anything to read or revise.