# IX explained — Basil > Chapter companion for Basil by Wilkie Collins. ## What happens Basil, determined to pursue Margaret despite her objections based on rank, writes to Mr. Sherwin requesting an interview. He borrows a carriage to impress, and after a delay, receives a reply. He then arranges a secret meeting with Margaret in the garden, where she reiterates the difference in rank as a barrier. Basil insists on speaking to her father, and after she leaves, he sends a letter to Mr. Sherwin. Later, he returns to North Villa and bribes a servant to help him see Margaret again. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Pride Basil's awareness of rank and his attempt to use appearances to overcome class barriers. ### Forbidden Love and Marriage Basil's pursuit of Margaret despite the social obstacles and her initial refusal based on rank. ### Secrecy and Deception Basil's secret correspondence and meetings with Margaret, and his use of a servant as an ally. ## Character check-ins ### Basil Determined to pursue Margaret despite her objections; writes to Mr. Sherwin and borrows a carriage to impress him. ### Margaret Sherwin Insists on the difference in rank as a barrier to Basil's advances, but shows signs of affection. ### Mr. Sherwin Receives Basil's letter and agrees to an interview; described as controlling and particular about servants' caps. ### Clara Mentioned as a possible source of a carriage, but Basil avoids using hers. ### Ralph Mentioned as a friend who lends Basil a carriage. ## Key lines > The letter was superscribed “Private;” and simply requested an interview with him on a subject of importance, at any hour he might mention. Basil wrote a private letter to Mr. Sherwin asking for a meeting about an important matter. _Basil initiates contact with Margaret's father._ > I applied to a friend whom I could rely on as likely to ask no questions—I write this in shame and sorrow: I tell truth here, where it is hard penance to tell it—I applied, I say, to a friend for the loan of one of his carriages to take me to North Villa; fearing the risk of borrowing my father’s carriage, or my sister’s—knowing the common weakness of rank-worship and wealth-worship in men of Mr. Sherwin’s order, and meanly determining to profit by it to the utmost. Basil borrowed a carriage from a friend to impress Mr. Sherwin, acknowledging his own shameful manipulation of class snobbery. _Basil uses appearances to influence Mr. Sherwin._ > She answered, as she had answered me in her letter: the difference in our rank made it her duty to discourage me. Margaret repeated that their different social standings meant she must discourage Basil's advances. _Margaret's consistent objection based on rank._ > I will tell him that you take a rank in beauty and goodness, which is the highest rank in the land—a far higher rank than mine—the only rank I desire. Basil declares that Margaret's beauty and virtue outrank any social status, and that he desires only her. _Basil's romantic idealization of Margaret._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-i-ix - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/basil_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/basil_se/chapters