(A Story of Romance in Town and Country.)
Scene I.—Publisher's Sanctum. Amateur Author discovered in consultation with Enterprising Publisher.
Enterprising Publisher. Yes, my dear Sir, I think, if you pay all the expenses, we can see our way to giving An Oppressed Ophelia a chance.
Amateur Author. You would not take a small risk?
Ent. Publisher. Why no, my dear Sir. I do not see how An Oppressed Ophelia can be made a safe investment without your entire assistance. Possibly we may treat about your next novel, which I understand you to say is called An English Hamlet, on other terms. In the meanwhile, let us hope that An Oppressed Ophelia will be successful.
[Exeunt Author and Publisher severally.
Scene II.—The Same. Three months have passed. Publisher and Author are discovered discussing the situation.
Author (gloomily). And so you say that An Oppressed Ophelia is a dead failure?
Publisher (more cheerfully). Yes, my dear Sir, but do not be distressed. Thanks to my foresight, and your acquiescence in a business-like arrangement, my firm has lost nothing by the transaction.
Author (dryly). That I can readily understand! Well, I suppose you have plenty of copies you can give back to me?