"What will you do?"
"Seek for some other situation; anything will do."
"The City again! Why not try for work as an artist?"
"And do as a drudge the work I so long hoped to do as a master," replied Cornelius, colouring to the very temples. "No, Kate, that indeed would be degradation!"
"Then you give up painting?"
"Utterly."
She started from her seat, went up to him, laid her hand on his arm, and said warmly—
"Leave the City to drudges, and painting to enthusiasts. You have youth, talent, energy; choose the career of a gentleman, work, and make your way as you can, if you will—I shall find the means."
"I cannot," replied Cornelius, after a pause.
"Then you mean to return to painting," vehemently exclaimed his sister.