He was struggling hard, working diligently, making for himself a character in Parliament, succeeding,--so said all his friends,--as a barrister.
He was a rising young man, one of those whose names began to be much in the mouths of other men;--but still he was poor.

It seemed to himself that among other good gifts that of economy had not been bestowed upon him.

He owed a little money, and though he owed it, he went on spending his earnings.

He wanted just such a lift in the world as a wife with an income would give him.

As for looking about for a girl whom he could honestly love, and who should have a fortune of her own as well as beauty, birth, and all the other things,--that was out of his reach.