Jasper began to tell of certain things that had happened to him since his arrival in town.
'It was a curious coincidence--but, by-the-bye, have you heard of what The Study has been doing ?' 'I should rather think so,' replied Reardon, his face lighting up.

'With no small satisfaction.' 'Delicious, isn't it ?' exclaimed his wife.

'I thought it too good to be true when Edwin heard of it from Mr Biffen.' All three laughed in subdued chorus.

For the moment, Reardon became a new man in his exultation over the contradictory reviewers.
'Oh, Biffen told you, did he?
Well,' continued Jasper, 'it was an odd thing, but when I reached my lodgings on Saturday evening there lay a note from Horace Barlow, inviting me to go and see him on Sunday afternoon out at Wimbledon, the special reason being that the editor of The Study would be there, and Barlow thought I might like to meet him.
Now this letter gave me a fit of laughter; not only because of those precious reviews, but because Alfred Yule had been telling me all about this same editor, who rejoices in the name of Fadge.

Your uncle, Mrs Reardon, declares that Fadge is the most malicious man in the literary profession; though that's saying such a very great deal--well, never mind! Of course I was delighted to go and meet Fadge.