From his father, Sir Erasmus Dix, a well-known engineer, to whose early repression much of Septimus's timidity was due, he had inherited a modest fortune.

After leaving Cambridge he had wandered aimlessly about Europe.

Now he lived in a little house in Shepherd's Bush, with a studio or shed at the end of the garden which he used as a laboratory.
"Why Shepherd's Bush ?" asked Zora.
"Wiggleswick likes it," said he.
"And now he has the whole house to himself?
I suppose he makes himself comfortable in your quarters and drinks your wine and smokes your cigars with his friends.

Did you lock things up ?" "Oh, yes, of course," said Septimus.
"And where are the keys ?" "Why Wiggleswick has them," he replied.
Zora drew in her breath.

"You don't know how angry you make me.