"That is a pity."
"Why? It will be all the better for you; one competitor less."
"I am afraid I don't see it altogether in that light. You see, I was thinking of taking a partner."
"A partner?"
"Exactly, a partner. The practice was getting a little beyond me. When I am able to move about again, as I soon shall be, thanks to you, it may get beyond me again. Now what would you say to taking a partner?"
"I! What! Bring another woman here?"
"No, I was not thinking of that. Indeed, I was not thinking of a woman at all. I was thinking of a man."
"A man!"
"I was thinking of myself."
"You! Mr Palliser!"