And spite of every thing, Hilary felt a certain relief that this was the last time Ascott would be indebted to his godfather.

Perhaps this total cessation of extraneous help might force the young man upon his own resources, compel his easy temperament into active energy, and bring out in him those dormant qualities that his aunts still fondly hoped existed in him.
"Don't be down-hearted, Ascott," she said: "we will manage to get on somehow till you bear of a practice, and then you must work--work like a 'brick,' as you call it.

You will, I know." He answered nothing.
"I won't let you give in, my boy," she went on, kindly.

"Who would ever dream of giving in at your age, with health and strength, a good education, and no encumbrances whatever--not even aunts! for we will not stand in your way, be sure of that.

If you can not settle here, you shall try to get out abroad, as you have sometimes wished, as an army surgeon or a ship's doctor; you say these appointments are easy enough to be had.