"Yes, and without courage. He is a college man and would have chosen a profession if his health had not broken down."
"I pity him from my heart; I send good wishes to his sick-bed," said Agapit, in a passion of enthusiasm. "I will pray to our Lord to raise him."
"Can you give him any assistance?" asked Vesper, nodding towards the letter.
"I do not know; I cannot tell. There are many LeNoirs. But I will go over my papers; I will sit up at night, as I now do some writing for the post-office. You know I am poor, and obliged to work. I must pay Rose for my board. I will not depend on a woman."
Vesper half lifted his drooping eyelids. "What are you going to make of yourself?"
"I wish to study law. I save money for a period in a university."
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-three."
"Your cousin looks about that age."
"She is twenty-four,—a year older; and you,—may I ask your age?"