How much of the story was written?
I recalled his wild talk at Easter about putting into the novel the whole of human life.

I had jested with him, calling it a megalomaniac notion.

But suppose, unwittingly, I had been right?
I thought of the ghastly name physicians give to the malady and shivered.
Suddenly, a day or two afterwards, came news that, to some extent, relieved my mind.
While the Bolderos were at breakfast, a cable arrived from the Editor.
It ran: "Unless half of manuscript is delivered to-day at London Office will cancel contract." Adrian read it, frowned and handed it to Doria.
It seems that in all business matters she had his confidence.
"Well, dear ?" she said, looking up at him.
He broke out angrily.

"Did you ever hear such amazing insolence?
I give this pettifogging tradesman the privilege of publishing my novel in his rubbishy periodical and he dares to dictate terms to me! Half a novel, indeed! As if it were half a bale of calico.

The besotted fool! As well ask a clock-maker to deliver half a clock." "Argument by analogy is rather dangerous," she said gently, seeking to turn aside his wrath with a smile.