All he cares about is painting his face, and dressing himself up, and ranting, and getting rounds of applause.

And, so far, he certainly has his reward.

His highest ambition, it is true, he has not yet attained.
If he could only get his portrait published in a halfpenny paper wearing some new-shaped stock or collar that the hosiers were anxious to bring into fashion, he would feel that there was little left to live for.

But that is a distinction reserved for actors who stand at the tip-top of their profession, and I'm afraid that poor Buskin has but little chance of ever realising his aspiration." "Are you serious ?" said Austin, open-eyed.
"Absolutely," replied St Aubyn.

"I know it for a fact." "Well," exclaimed Austin, fetching a deep breath, "of course if a man has to do this sort of thing for a living--if it's his only way of making money--I don't think I despise him so much.