VI

come with me, for I may be obliged to make use of you. And now, I’m off for today, in good earnest. I must get back to Mrs. Ralph (unfortunately she happens to be one of the most sensitive women in the world), or she will be sending to advertise me in the newspapers. We shall pull through this, my dear fellow⁠—you will see we shall! By the by, you don’t know of a nice little detached house in the Brompton neighbourhood, do you? Most of my old theatrical friends live about there⁠—a detached house, mind! The fact is, I have taken to the violin lately (I wonder what I shall take to next?); Mrs. Ralph accompanies me on the pianoforte; and we might be an execrable nuisance to very near neighbours⁠—that’s all! You don’t know of a house? Never mind; I can go to an agent, or something of that sort. Clara shall know tonight that we are moving prosperously, if I can only give the worthiest creature in the world the slip: she’s a little obstinate, but, I assure you, a really superior woman. Only think of my dropping down to playing the fiddle, and paying rent and taxes in a suburban villa! How are the fast men fallen! Goodbye, Basil, goodbye!”