I tell you there are giants to be fought, hydra-headed ones--the giants of ignorance, of wickedness, of injustice, and they call for a sharper, keener sword than that wielded by the knights of old." And there came into her heart a great fear lest her boy, who had too much imagination, too much ideality, would waste his life in dreams.
"I will tell you, Basil," said Marion Hautville; "what I call a great hero.

The man who does his duty perfectly in the state of life in which God has placed him." "We all do that," replied Basil.
"Indeed we do not--you do not, to begin with.

You ought now, instead of dreaming about Froissart and his barbaric times, you ought to be studying hard how to make a good master of this large estate--how to employ the vast wealth given to you--how best to serve your God, your country and those who will depend upon you." "Solomon in petticoats!" cried Basil, gaily, and Marion joined in his laugh.
That conversation gave Lady Carruthers many uneasy moments.

She understood so well the dreamy, yet ardent, romantic temperament of the boy.
"What shall I make of him ?" she said.

"Will he ever learn to live contentedly here at Ulverston, doing his duty, as Marion says, to God and man?
My poor Basil, he lives too late!" She asked advice from those best fitted to give it.