The thick-set man rose as Elfrida entered, and came forward a dubious step or two.  His expression was not encouraging.

“I have called to see the editor, Mr. Curtis,” said she.

“The editor is not here.”

“Oh, isn’t he?  I’m sorry for that.  When is he likely to be in?  I want to see him particularly.”

“He only comes here once a week, for about an hour,” replied the little man, reluctant even to say so much.  “But I could see that he got a letter.”

“Thanks,” returned Elfrida.  “At what time and on what day does he usually come?”

“That I’m not at liberty to say,” the occupant of the desk replied briefly, and sat down again.

“Where is Mr. Curtis?” Elfrida asked.  She had not counted upon this.  To the physical depression of her walk there added itself a strong disgust with the unsuccessful situation.  She persisted, knowing what she would have to suffer from herself if she failed.

“Mr. Curtis is in the country.  I cannot possibly give you his address.  You can write to him here, and the letter will be forwarded.  But he only sees people by appointment—­especially ladies,” the little man added, with a half-smile which had more significance in it than Elfrida could bear.  Her face set itself against the anger that burned up in her, and she walked quickly from the door to the desk, her wet skirts swishing with her steps.  She looked straight at the man, and began to speak in a voice of constraint and authority.

“You will be kind enough to get up,” she said, “and listen to what I have to say.”  The man got up instantly.

“I came here,” she went on, “to offer your editor an article—­this article;” she drew out the manuscript and laid it before him.  “I thought from the character of the contributions to last week’s number of the Consul that he might very well be glad of it.”

Her tone reduced the man to silence.  Mechanically he picked up the manuscript and fingered the leaves.

“Read the first few sentences, please,” said Elfrida.

“I’ve nothing to do with that department, miss—­”

“I have no intention whatever of leaving it with you.  But I shall be obliged if you will read the first few sentences.”  He read them, the girl standing watching him.

“Now,” said she, “do you understand?” She took the pages from his hand and returned them to the envelope.

“Yes, miss—­it’s certainly interesting, but—­”

“Be quite sure you understand,” said Elfrida, as the ground-glass door closed behind her.