She had never taken any step without the sanction of his permission; and had now refrained from requesting it, only through the confusion of acknowledging her authorship; and the apprehension, or, rather, the horror of his desiring to see her performance.
Nevertheless, reflection no sooner took place of action, than she found, in this case at least, the poet’s maxim reversed, and that
‘The female who deliberates—is sav’d,’
for she saw in its genuine light what was her duty; and seized, therefore, upon a happy moment of a kind tête à tête with her father, to avow, with more blushes than words, her secret little work; and her odd inclination to see it in print; hastily adding, while he looked at her, incredulous of what he heard, that her brother Charles would transact the business with a distant bookseller, who should never know her name. She only, therefore, entreated that he would not himself ask to see the manuscript.
His amazement was without parallel; yet it seemed surpassed by his amusement; and his laugh was so gay, that, revived by its cheering sound, she lost all her fears and embarrassment, and heartily joined in it; though somewhat at the expence of her new author-like dignity.
She was the last person, perhaps, in the world from whom Dr. Burney could have expected a similar scheme. He thought her project, however, as innocent as it was whimsical, and offered not the smallest objection; but, kindly embracing her, and calling himself le père confident, he enjoined her to be watchful that Charles was discreet; and to be invariably strict in guarding her own incognita: and then, having tacitly granted her personal petition, he dropt the subject.
With fresh eagerness, now, and heightened spirits, the incipient author rolled up her packet for the bookseller; which was carried to him by a newly trusted agent,[23] her brother being then in the country.
The suspense was short; in a very few days Mr. Lowndes sent his approbation of the work, with
an offer of 20l. for the manuscript—an offer which was accepted with alacrity, and boundless surprise at its magnificence!!
The receipt for this settlement, signed simply by “the Editor of Evelina,” was conveyed by the new agent to Fleet-street.