[A Simpleton by Charles Reade]@TWC D-Link book
A Simpleton

CHAPTER VI
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"My dear, the way ladies and gentlemen get a house--in the first place, you don't go about yourself like that, and you never go to the people themselves, or you are sure to be taken in, but to a respectable house-agent." "Yes, dear, that must be the best way, one would think." "Of course it is; and you ask for a house in Mayfair, and he shows you several, and recommends you the best, and sees you are not cheated." "Thank you, love," said Rosa; "now I know what to do; I'll not forget a word.

And the train so beautifully shaped! Ah! it is only in London or Paris they can make a dress flow behind like that," etc., etc.
Dr.Staines came back to dinner in good spirits; he had found a house in Harewood Square; good entrance hall, where his gratuitous patients might sit on benches; good dining-room where his superior patients might wait; and good library, to be used as a consulting-room.

Rent only eighty-five pounds per annum.
But Rosa told him that would never do; a physician must be in the fashionable part of the town.
"Eventually," said Christopher; "but surely at first starting--and you know they say little boats should not go too far from shore." Then Rosa repeated all her friend's arguments, and seemed so unhappy at the idea of not living near her, that Staines, who had not yet said the hard word "no" to her, gave in; consoling his prudence with the reflection that, after all, Mr.Cole could put many a guinea in his way, for Mr.Cole was middle-aged,--though his wife was young,--and had really a very large practice.
So next day, the newly-wedded pair called on a house-agent in Mayfair, and his son and partner went with them to several places.

The rents of houses equal to that in Harewood Square were three hundred pounds a year at least, and a premium to boot.
Christopher told him these were quite beyond the mark.

"Very well," said the agent.


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