"
This meant that Juliet was to give the money and Basil to
spend it. Mallow was disgusted with this candid selfishness.
However, he did not wish to quarrel with Basil, as he knew
Juliet was fond of him, and moreover, in the present state of
affairs, he was anxious to have another friend besides Mr.
Octagon in the house. "Perhaps Miss Loach may have left you
some money after all," he remarked.
"By Jove, I hope so. I'll be in a hole if she has not.
There's a bill--" here he stopped, as though conscious of
having said too much. "But that will come into Juliet's
possession," he murmured.
"What's that?" asked Cuthbert sharply.
"Nothing--nothing--only a tailor's bill. As to getting
money by the will, don't you know I quarrelled with Aunt
Selina a week before her death. Yes, she turned me out of the
house." Here Basil's face assumed what may be described as an
ugly look. "I should like to have got even with the old cat.
She insulted me."
"Gently, old fellow," said Mallow, seeing that Basil was
losing his temper, and having occasionally seen him in fits of
uncontrollable passion, "we're in the public street."
Basil's brow cleared. "All right," he said, "don't bother,
I'll be all right when Juliet gets the money. By the way,
mother tells me you are not going to marry her."
"Your mother is mistaken," rejoined Mallow gravely. "Juliet
and I are still engaged. I do not intend to give her up."
"I told mother you would not give in easily," said Basil,
frowning, "but you can't marry Juliet.
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