Darco's
waistcoat as you'll find in the whole wide world.'

'Never mind Darco, Paul dear. He's not a favourite theme of mine.'

'I wish you hadn't had to leave him, all the same, because then I
shouldn't have had to leave him. Where shall you live in London,
Claudia?'

'I'm going to stay with a Mrs. Walpole, a widow lady, a friend of mine
who takes in a few boarders.'

'Might I stay there, too?

'You? Oh, you improper boy! Of course not.'

'Don't say that, Claudia. I've given up everything only to be near you.
That's all I ask for, Claudia. It's all I want in the world.'

'My dear Paul,' said Claudia, 'you must not dream of such a thing. It
would be most unwise. Why, good gracious, child, you'd compromise me
every hour!'

'Indeed, indeed I wouldn't,' Paul declared. 'I would rather die than do
it Oh, Claudia! you don't know how I love you. You don't know what it
will be to me to be with you. You can't guess how miserably unhappy I
shall be if I am away from you.'

'Very well, Paul,' said Claudia rather frigidly; 'but you must not blame
me if you lose my friendship by presuming on it. I have no fear of being
able to take care of my own reputation, and I want you to understand
that I will do it. And now you may kiss me, and then we will talk
business.' Paul availed himself of the permission with alacrity until
Claudia slid gently away. 'That is enough, and more than enough. I won't
have you making any more declamatory love-scenes, you dreadful boy! No,
not another. No; not the least little one in the world. You will keep
to that side of the table and I shall sit on this. Now, reach me my
writing-desk. I am going to give you a letter of introduction to Walton,
my new manager. I shall tell him how clever you are, and that you are
ambitious and want to get to London. You'll get nothing like such a
salary as Darco gave you--not more than half at the outside. You'll live
in a poky little garret at the top of a smoky London house, and you'll
pay thirty shillings a week for board and lodging, and the rest will go
in washing and 'bus fares. You're making a very bad exchange, I can tell
you, even if Walton will have anything to say to you.' 'I don't care if
I'm to be near you, Claudia.'

'But you're not going to enjoy the liberties I allow you here. You must
understand that, Paul.'

'I shall see you,' said Paul 'I shall be near you.'

'Very well. Now, I'll write the letter. And when it is written you
will take the