t a fair chance of her life. Sir William
listened coolly, would certainly call at the almshouses and make
inquiry; but did not like to interfere with the notions of the people
there: made a point indeed of leaving them pretty much to their own
ways; owned that it would be a pity the girl should die, if she really
might be got through; would call, therefore, and inquire, and see
whether Lady Hunter could not send down anything from the Hall. He
smiled rather incredulously when assured that it was not anything that
could be sent down from the Hall that was wanted by the patient, but
only the use of the fresh air that was about her, and the observance of
her doctor's simple directions. Sir William next began to make his
horse fidget, and Hope took the hint.

"This has been my business with you at present," said he. "At some more
convenient time, I should be glad of a little conversation with you on
other matters connected with these almshouses."

Sir William Hunter bowed, put spurs to his horse, and galloped off, as
if life or death depended on his reaching the Hall in three minutes and
a half.

These hints of "another doctor"--"a better doctor"--"a new man"--met
Hope in other directions. Mrs Howell was once quoted as a whisperer of
the fact; and the milliner's young lady was known to have speculated, on
whether the new doctor would prove to be a single man. No one turned
away from such gossip with more indifference than Hope; but it came to
him in the form of inquiries which he was supposed best able to answer.
He now told Hester of them all; warned her of the probable advent of a
rival practitioner; and at the same time urged upon her a close economy
in the management of the house, as his funds were rapidly failing. If
his practice continued to fall off as it was now doing, he scarcely saw
how they were to keep up their present mode of living. It grieved him
extremely to have to say this to his wife in the very first year of
their marriage. He had hoped to have put larger means in her power,
from year to year; but at present he owned his way was far from being
clear. They had already descended to having no prospect at all.

For all this Hester cared little. She had never known the pinchings of
poverty, any more than the embarrassments of wealth. She could not
conceive of such a thing, as being very anxious about what they should
eat, and what they should drink, and wherewith they should be clothed;
though